Culture Learning: Indian and American Compare and Contrast

There are many stark differences between Indian and American culture, some which I would consider good and others which I believe could be improved by both cultures. In my ten weeks I noticed many, social, religious, diet and standard of living differences, which really put life into perspective. However, there were two culture differences really stuck out to me, the genuinity of Indian people and ingenuity with their work and daily lives.

One thing I noticed during the course of my work is how genuine people where. I believe we as Americans are made to compete more when it comes to work. In my office everyone helped each other, I got the help of visual designers and other focuses for my web platform. I helped a coworker working on drone design, another in basket weaving design and application and third in their educational game. Even when facing a difficult task there was never a shortage of help or ideas. I was lucky to make friends who went the extra mile. Back home, I find that people are less inclined to lend a hand.

While there were some people which weren’t as genuine, I understood it was due to how their livelihood was earned, in other words trying to scam foreigners. The people which I met in the University just gleamed of hope and prospects, many already having worked for large companies and created their own projects or products.

I was very impressed with the ingenuity of the IITK students. Many times they did not have the resources needed to complete or progress their project but found ways around that. For example, one of my friends was working on a robotic hand and found that there was not material locally that was used for elasticity of limbs or joints. A few days later I learned he used a spring from a toy car to accomplish his goal. That one spring, resulted in many prototypes and further improvement in his project.

There were many examples that I observed during my time there. One thing which blew my mind was the use of leafs as bristles for a brooms and using leftover cardboard as plates. Nothing seemed to go to waste in India. I found that to be very innovative despite Indian society as a whole not advertising for recycling and such. I know that things like that are due to lack of resourced but regardless I was impressed by how they could use things that would be seen to be unconventional in America and make it work just as well as a manufactured product.

I do believe there is good in both American and India cultures, and if they were to mix more we would potentially find more innovative and cost effective ways to create new things. I enjoy the way Indian students interact it feels very open and progressive. My view of the world has drastically changed, I appreciate people who take initiative more, and it makes me see the good and bad of American Society. I would not say Americans are not genuine or innovative, that is far from the truth. But, I do thing we could learn a thing or two from our Indian counterparts.