Choosing a country for cultural integration and education is a sophisticated task. The issue is that people share individual demands for moral comfort while getting used to something principally new. I would choose a state that does differ from my own much to compensate for the psychological challenge. Germany would be a beneficial country to ensure a pleasurable European cultural experience.
Even though Hofstede’s theory allows considering America and Germany as similar countries, the latter is still different within the levels of individualism, long-term orientation, and indulgence. Firstly, Germany rates higher with uncertainty avoidance, which applies to the nations that manifest various institutions to overcome the ambiguity threats of the future (“Country” par. 9). Secondly, Germany surprises with a high presence of pragmatism that makes its long-term orientation much higher than America’s. While this component relates to the adaptation to situations, Germany’s intellectual attitude to life expresses through a low indulgence level either. In contrast to America, this country takes things more cynically.
Nonetheless, Germany remains a progressive European country that shares most of Hofstede’s qualities with America. Germany is an individualist country, though its indicator is lower than the American one, judging by the comparison stats of 67 and 91 by Hofstede Insights (“Country” table). Germany reflects American traditions through the features of power distance and masculinity too. It would allow me to set in Europe without facing drastic cultural challenges like the need to adapt roughly. It is easier to get familiar with new massive regions like Western Europe by starting from something that is closer to one’s initial culture.
In conclusion, Germany is a preferable European country for an international cultural experience. It can be comfortable for Americans as a European country that reminds of their one national values. This similarity could soften the cultural transition for the sake of positive integrational experiences. Such a condition would move to take the opportunity either.
Work Cited
“Country Comparison: Germany, United States.” Hofstede Insights, 2021, https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/germany,the-usa/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2021.
