spread of popular american culture

It was the 1st of May 2003, my parents and I took a major decision. And we wondered if it was the right decision. A few months from then, their daughter would be on a jet plane flying thousands of miles away. Their lovely girl had secured admission in a prestigious American college. All the formalities were now complete, bags half packed and emotions on hold. It was a crucial period for my small family. I was in a suspended state of emotion myself –half scared, half excited. From the time my application forms were dispatched to the frantic last minute shopping, it has been one big roller coaster ride. All this was the initial euphoria as I embarked on this new journey of life. It was a battle of sustenance that I had to fight all alone in a strange new land. Was all this for a slice of American culture? I wonder?
But what is American culture? Personally, it is something that makes me examine my own cultural roots and icons and forces me to go beyond my preconceived limitations...