Going to US as a student the first thing that strikes you is described very well by Hofstede's Power Distance Index (PDI). I won't repeat the information about what is PDI as you can find all of that here or here.
Now finally I can relate to a framework that clearly explains my personal experiences as I tried to make myself comfortable in the US educational setting. It is also interesting to note that since I came from a culture with high PDI relocated to a low PDI, it was very easy for me to assimilate into lower PDI and I soon found myself treating my professors as peers and asking questions.
These cultural differences are embedded into us during our formative years and one can only get them by actually physically living in those countries. This also explains why kids with Indian origin who grow up in US become so culturally different than kids who grow up in India. (I do not want to get into any discussion of which culture is better at all, because I fundamentally believe that both cultures have distinct advantages and some disadvantages. What is more important is to understand these disadvantages so that you can hopefully overcome them in your behavior)
I have seen first hand instances of conflicts happening between people who are born in high PDI countries that start interacting with people from low PDIs. Those who are used to a higher PDI will find those who are used to a lower PDI to be disrespectful, disobedient, and to take an overy casual and relaxed approach to important things. However those who are used to a lower PDI will find those who are used to a higher PDI to be controlling, talking down to them, distant, making decisions for them without really consulting them.
PDI has hugh implications when it comes to schools and the way we teach or learn. Apparently PDI also changes depending upon what language you use to communicate. e.g. If I am talking to someone at work in English, it automatically reduces the distance between us and puts us on more equal ground. However, if I am to talk to the security guard of my building in vernacular language, it automatically gives me a superior authority due to higher PDI. I find this extremely intriguing...do you?
