Author: dg156149

Thank you for visiting our blog. We hope this helped you learn about possible place to live. We wish to continue to expand our network to give you more information on countries that we have not covered. Hopeful living across the globe seems a bit less daunting.

Geographic Location:

One similarity between living in China and the United States is environment. Both countries are located in the northern hemisphere, China’s latitude range is 53 degrees north latitude, and the United States latitude range is 47 degrees north latitude. Most of the two countries are located in the mid-latitude region. Both countries are along the Pacific Ocean, with long coastlines and many good harbors along the coast.

Weather:

Another similarity that China and the United States have is the climate varies from place to place. The weather in the west coast of the United States is relatively mild, with spring all year round and no snow. The climate is also the same in southern China. The weather in the east coast of the United States is cold, the summer is short, the winter is pretty long, and it often snows. The same weather is just like northern China. 

One tradition that differs between China and the United States is the place where Chinese and American live. Almost all of American lives in houses which generally have large or small yards. There may be some low shrubs around the yard, and tall walls are rarely erected to prevent passersby from seeing the yard. Most of the houses have neither shrubs nor courtyard walls, and only at certain times of the day, curtains or shutters used to block the view from the outside world.

Most Chinese live in big cities, they live in high-rise apartment buildings. All houses in big cities or countryside are tightly enclosed by high walls. From the outside, only the roof can be seen.

Another difference is Indoors of the house, the situation in China and the United States is reversed. Americans emphasize the right of privacy in the home, parents have no right to check the teenager’s items in their rooms. Children will not easily touch parents’ items either.

In Chinese home, parents are free to look over their children’s belongings, and children are allowed to use their parents’ belongings. If children damage their parents’ belongings, they are scolded, not because they touch something they shouldn’t, but because they break the items.

Education                                                                                                                                           

The system of education in Peru is somewhat similar to that of the United States. It has basic education (ages 3 to 5 years old), primary (ages 6 to 11 years old) and secondary (ages 12 to 16 years old), all of which are free. However, school is only mandatory from ages 6 to 16 years old. There is higher education, but it is not mandatory or free, however, they do have scholarship programs. The National University of San Marcos located in Lima the capital city of Peru is considered the oldest university in America. It was established in 1551 and is one of the oldest universities in the world. The United States has many important universities and colleges. Harvard University is located in Cambridge; Massachusetts is one of the most important universities in the world.                                                               

Culture                                                                                                                                               

The United States and Peru have many cultures and a wide variety of traditions and values derived from the traditions of European immigrants. With influences from many other sources, such as traditions and customs brought from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In the culture of the United States, there is a recent influence, especially from Latin American immigrants. Peruvians and US peoples have some similarities in Culture. both have somewhat Democratic governments, some shared values but their histories are different. Both had a kind of slave history, but the US killed most of its indigenous population. The Spanish used the hacienda system to essentially enslave indigenous peoples. There were some Africans brought into Peru but not in significant numbers.  Peruvians are warm and friendly but also in the Andes cautious. They like Americans but distrust our government. The US has intervened in Central America and South America many times, so they are justified in this concern.  

Costumes and Traditions                                                                                                           

 In Peru many costumes and traditions are similar to the United States. Festivities like Christmas, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, New Year, and others are alike. They have the same dates and activities. Independence Day is probably the most important day of the year for both countries. In Peru the Independence Day is celebrated on July 28th and in the United States is celebrated on July 04th. Many costumes and traditions in the United States have come from western culture and native activities in the past. But is being influenced by other countries. The traditions and costumes in Peru have been influenced by indigenous culture and Spanish activities. Currently are used the same typical costumes of times past.  The most traditional main dishes in Peru are the Ceviche and the Pollo a la Brasa. In the United States is the Roaster Turkey and Pizza. The most traditional desserts in Peru are the Picarones and the Suspiros. In the United States are the Apple Pie and the Donuts. 

Location                                                                                                                                                       

The United States is bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean, and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico. Peru is in Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador. Peru as a country is formed of three regions. The climate in the United State is tropical in Hawaii and Florida, semiarid in the great plains west of Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest, low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. In Peru, the climate varies from tropical in east to desert in west; temperate to frigid in the Andes

Languages                                                                                                                                         

In the United States, there are different cultures due to immigration. Therefore, there are diverse languages. The official language is English. Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii. While in Peru the official language is Spanish and Quecha. However, there are Aymara and several minor Amazonian languages. Both the US and Peru are countries with a diverse racial population, but America has a white majority while Peru has an Amerindian majority. The coastal area is more cosmopolitan in outlook, especially Lima. There has been a migration from the Andes to the cities resulting in slums growing slowly into functioning cities. Some cities are very crowded. Peru’s governments have been famous for the level of corruption they spawned.  

Political System                                                                                                                           

The United States has Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition. Peru is a constitutional republic, both countries are democratic and elect their president every 5 years. But in the United States, there are mainly 2 candidates and only a portion of the country gets to vote. In Peru everyone must vote or else they’re fined, and every vote has the same value on the count. In the US a Californian vote has more influence than a vote from Idaho, here in Peru the vote from a professional in Lima has the same influence than a vote from an illiterate person who has never moved out of the top of a mountain, so politicians take advantage of this and many opportunity seekers gamble on a chance to get into government, that is why we have like 20 candidates on every election and nobody wins on the first chance, so 2 candidates finally go to the second round but one is a gamble and the other is not so good either so finally the least bad candidate wins by a 51 to 49 count.

One similarity between Colombia and the United States is the branches of government. Both countries have the same branches of government: the judicial, executive, and legislative. However, the way that Colombians elects the president is by the popular vote. They vote every four years. Columbia’s constitution was based in America. In the United States, the president is elected by a system called the electoral college. The constitution was enacted in 1776 and signed by the founding fathers. In both countries, the government works in the same way. The judicial branch is run by the supreme court. The executive branch is run by the president. The legislative branch is run by congress. The only difference is in the executive branch because of Colombian government add the prime minister too. 

Another similarity that Colombia and the United States has is taxes. In Colombia, taxes are paid to the government and provide money to society. In Colombia, democrats believe that taxes should be paid because it helps people who need it. In this country, In the United States, taxes are paid to the government, so the government can spend on benefits and activities such as national parks, beaches, and others. In this country, republicans believe that taxes should not be paid while democratic think that they should be paid to give more to society. 

Many of the glaring differences between Columbia and the United States are attributed to tradition. One tradition that differs from Colombia from the United States is religion. In Colombia, most of the population practice the Catholic religion. Other religions are less common. For that reason, most of the people share the same traditions about the same religion. On the other hand, the United States is a very diverse country in the population because of immigration. It means that there are people with different religions. 

Another tradition that differs from these two countries is the family lifestyle. It is usually for Colombian children to live with their parents until they get married. This leads to a big family composed of more than six members. In the United States,  it is more usual to see children moving from their parent’s house as soon as they graduate from high school or when they finish college. For that reason, in the United States, there are more young adults who became very independent.  

Another difference is the cuisine in both countries. The cuisine of Colombia is the result of food and culinary traditions of local, European, and African American Indian cultures. The strong Colombian dishes are tray paisa, antioquenos beans, hoofed beans, beans cream, and Antiochian sancocho. Again, because of immigration in the United States, the United States has a very varied mix interpreted and some other cuisines. One of the more recognized cuisines in America is fast food. Another traditional food is the traditional food based on traditions of old livestock, both cattle and sheep and goats.

A big part of moving to another country is the understand the differences in customs. Core American ideals are truth, justice and freedom where as Denmark’s core ideals are equality, respect and trust.  While both are similar it shows a big difference it what is considered most valuable. Denmark is less focused on the success of the individual and more focused on the community at large.

Another difference is customs is when some holidays are celebrated. There are some holidays that are only celebrated in either the USA or Denmark and even some holidays that are celebrated in both are often on different dates. One example of this is Christmas. In the United States Christmas is generally celebrated on the 25th of December where as in Denmark they celebrate it on the 24th. Paying attention to this will help you be prepared for certain holidays and days off work that aren’t usually given in America.

Denmark while being very different from the United States has some aspects that make it desirable as an immigrant there, one of the biggest factors being the prevalence of English speakers. In Danish school all children are taught English until the enter college. This mean that you could communicate with the average Danish citizen coming from the United States.  Another huge draw to Denmark is the fact that it is one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark is currently ranked the second happiest country behind Finland according to polls taken at The Independent a newspaper from the United Kingdom.

While Denmark seems like an easy move there are some thing that definitely have to be taken into consideration.  The main adjustment would be the switch from capitalism to socialism. Being socialist Denmark provides many public good and improve infrastructure much more frequently and rapidly than the United States. Denmark is able to accomplish this because of the higher taxation rates. Having a job and paying taxes will give one a better opportunity to gain citizenship. If one if relocating for work they should consider the tax implication of moving to Denmark while the salary may increase the amount of money taken home will decrease. The decease in spending money is offset but what is available for free by the government i.e. healthcare.

One issue that some people may have coming from America is that when relocating to Denmark the expectation of conforming to Danish culture. I the United States individual difference are celebrates but in Denmark due to the homogeneous nature of its population there is an expectation to meet the norm. If you are open to learning and embracing the culture Denmark is a good fit.

Denmark may not be place you if you can not tolerate cold weather. Denmark is similar to New York in because there is real season change but the winter is harsher and the summers are milder. Relocating to another country is different for everyone but hopefully this information will help your journey.

Thank you for visiting our Blog. We are here to help people relocating from the United States with what to expect during their move. We are starting with countries we are personally familiar with and plan to branch out as the blog gains traction.

We hope that this blog helps you on your migration to a new country.

Brought to you by: David Garfinkel, Almendra Ninalaya, Hilda Osorio, and Jiayi Zheng