11 Common Myths About America And American Dream Busted

Our perceptions often reflect reality, yet in some cases, we find that reality isn't everything we thought it to be. International students often develop a notion about American culture, the people and its colleges; however, some of these are strange American myths that one might have never thought of. Everyone is there to live the American Dream, and it’s the way America is portrayed in movies, television, music, and media paints Looking close to it, there are two sides to every story. We're here to confirm or bust some of the most common myths about America! 

11 Myths & Misconceptions about America Busted! 

Many people have misconceptions about American culture, which can influence how they see and understand it. Some of the myths about America often simplify or exaggerate things, not capturing the true diversity and complexity of American society. These common American myths include ideas like everyone being the same and the belief that all Americans are outgoing and loud! Breaking down these US myths will not only help you see beyond the generic assumptions but will also help you appreciate the diversity, traditional values, and identities that exist in the Land of Liberty.

1. Myth #1: Everything's Bigger in America 

Myth or Fact? Fact! 

We'll start with one of the most common American myths’ examples! There's a belief that everything, and we mean EVERYTHING, is bigger in America — and you wouldn't be wrong to think that. Movies like "Supersize Me" have shown that Americans love to do things BIG. We all know that the United States is the third-largest country in the world by land area! However, there’s more to supporting one of the believable American cultural myths. 

Make a trip to your neighborhood grocery store, and you'll find food stacked to the ceiling (probably an excessively high ceiling at that). Want to order a meal at a nice restaurant? We hope you brought your appetite because it'll be enough to feed (at least) two. From portion sizes to ultra-Trenta-sized cups and even the buildings themselves, America is just as supersized as you thought – so, yes, it is one of those myths in the US that turns out to be true.

2. Myth #2: It's the Land of the Free

Myth or Fact? Myth!

For a long time, America was the hallmark ‘ freedom' capital of the world. If you had a dream, you could come to the US and fight to make it a reality. Somewhere along the way, America and American culture lost sight of what made it a global leader and beacon for freedom, giving way to different myths about America. As Emma Lazarus famously said, "Until we are all free, we are none of us free." 

"The land of opportunity" is a more appropriate title, in our opinion, with cities like New York deemed as a dream city for most students to study and settle. If you're looking to start a career, continue your education, or settle down, America is still one of the best places to be in the world, — but the land of the free? Yes, for one of the biggest myths in America, you take the call! 

3. Myth #3: Party Culture is Big in College

Myth or Fact? Fact!

Is the party culture huge in the U.S.? That is also one of the myths about America depending on a couple of factors. However, if that's what you're looking for, there are plenty of universities that'll fit your criteria. Of course, there are many more reasons why study in the USA, and whichever university you choose to attend, it's more than likely that there will be a 'party scene' or 'Greek life' at said school. 

Whether you choose to participate is up to you! The beauty of American culture lies in finding friends who prefer a peaceful evening playing board games or finding peeps to party with. Many do not get to know what Greek life is because the culture only exists here. While the country opens up new ways to enjoy life, it also gives you never-ending opportunities to make your career. Looking at the party scene, this may be one of the popular myths in American culture; however, the career opportunities are golden. 

4. Myth #4: Every American is Rude

Myth or Fiction? Myth! 

Now, this is one of the biggest myths about America! While it may not be easy to adapt to a new culture while studying abroad, or American culture for that matter, movies and T.V. shows don't make it any easier, given that they depict Americans as either brash (rude) or standoff-ish (rude). Such myths about American culture couldn't be further from the truth. 

What do we mean by shallow? When you first arrive in the U.S., you'll find that strangers and passersby will ask you, "How are you?" or "How's it going?" It's not an invitation for a conversation as much as an acknowledgement of your existence (but hey, at least you get that!). Another reason to call it one of the biggest myths in the United States is because 89.2% of Americans have “tolerance and respect for other people.” 

5. Myth #5: Racism is Widespread in America

Myth or Fact? Myth!

It's hard to separate fact from fiction when the president of the country has publicly spewed toxic words about other races. However, this is also one of the US myths. This doesn't include all of America's media attention related to racially motivated news. As we've mentioned before, there are exceptions to every rule! You might find 5 Black senators, 59 Black members of the House of Representatives, and 2 Black Supreme Court justices, highlighting the real side of cultural myths in America. 

We can't say there isn't racism — we acknowledge that American culture might have problems. We can say, however, that more people than not are actively working toward making a country that's accepting of all races. Colleges and universities are constantly making efforts to be more welcoming, more supportive, and more inclusive of international student populations. 

6. Myth #6: American Food is Mostly Fast Food

Myth or Fact? Myth! 

This is one of the biggest myths about America. As most fast food companies are now functioning worldwide, it is no surprise that many people associate America with fast food. Everyone knows about companies like McDonald's, Taco Bell and KFC being born in the USA. Although there are many various types of fast food options to choose from in the United States, it is not the only kind of cuisine available. 

For instance, clam chowder and lobster rolls can be found in the northern region of the Northeastern United States. The flavor of BBQ and chili will differ depending on where it is made, be it in Texas, Tennessee, or Illinois. Early French and Canadian immigration introduced Louisiana to the popular Cajun and Creole cuisines. In the Pacific Northwest, you may get a range of fresh seafood meals, while the Southwest is known for its Tex-Mex cuisine. So, explore the diverse culinary landscape to figure out the reality of these common USA myths. 

7. Myth #7: Americans are Loud and Extroverted

Myth or Fact? Myth!

The cliché that all Americans are loud and outgoing often overlooks the diversity of American culture, making it one of the most widespread myths about America. It's crucial to understand that not all Americans match the stereotype of being expressive and extroverted, even though this is generally accurate when compared to some other countries. 

It is important to keep in mind that cultural norms and expectations can range greatly among the nation's regions. Personality qualities and individual variances have a big impact on how people behave. While some Americans might be more extroverted, others might be more introverted, or they might be a combination of the two. 

8. Myth #8: All Americans are Wealthy

Myth or Fact? Myth! 

One of the many myths in American culture is that all citizens are wealthy. While it is true that the average American earns more than the average for the world, many Americans, unfortunately, continue to live in poverty. Remember that the level of poverty in the United States could not be the same as that in other parts of the world. 

It's crucial to be honest and aware of the fact that everyone may be impacted differently by various economies and living conditions. Although it may be popular US myths that all Americans drive large vehicles and reside in enormous mansions, you may discover that this is not the case for the majority of them. In actuality, 49% of Americans depend on their next income. 

9. Myth #9: The United States is a Country of Cities

Myth or Fact? Myth!

Every state has a bustling town or thriving metropolis, but there are also many farms, mountains, forests, and tranquil areas away from the noise and bustle. One of the biggest misconceptions about America is that it is a country of cities. Los Angeles, New York City, and Las Vegas are neither typical American cities nor depictions of everyday life in the United States. At the same time, the majority of people live in congested urban areas. 

People who commute into the city on a daily basis enjoy the luxury of living in neighborhoods with yards and outdoor areas, as well as the accessibility to jobs and urban culture that a city can offer. Most of the urban regions in the United States are on the East and West coasts, home to the best spring break destinations in the US, but the center of the nation has a more rural and open landscape.  

10. Myth #10: No Emergency Healthcare without Insurance

Myth or Fact? Myth! 

This is also one of the biggest myths about the USA! According to federal law, emergency departments must treat patients regardless of their financial situation or access to health insurance at the time of the emergency. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labour Act (EMTALA) mandates that emergency departments at Medicare-participating hospitals screen and treat patients' emergency medical conditions without regard to their ability to pay, insurance status, national origin, race, creed, or colour.

In actuality, it is against the law for healthcare professionals to inquire about a patient's immigration status. "Healthcare providers have no affirmative legal obligation to inquire about or inform federal immigration authorities about a patient's immigration status," according to the National Immigration Law Centre.

11. Myth #11: Americans are Workaholics 

Myth or Fact? Myth! 

One of the common myths in America is that Americans have no work-life balance. However, 59% of American workers consider their work-life balance “very important”, according to a survey by Gallup in 2022. On the other side, a recent study by the U.S. Travel Association found that 54% of American employees used their paid vacation to value leisure time beyond work. 

With ample flexible work opportunities and a strong work ethic, Americans being workaholics seems to be words of fiction only. The average American employee logs approximately 1,767 hours of work, which is significantly lower than the average annual work hours of Costa Rica and South Africa. 

If you dig a little deeper, however, you'll find that many of these US myths aren't exactly how they seem. One can only find out through living the experience of studying in the USA and pursuing a career. American culture may just really suit you; you never know! Studying in the USA is your guide through the study abroad process; from finding your dream school, taking your English Language Tests, and getting your visa - we have you covered. Want to bust some of these US myths yourself? Find the perfect student housing in the USA and do so at your own pace!

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