Is counterculture universal?
Culture is by definition unique to a certain country or community. As a result, communities around the world each breed behaviors or topics that go against their unique status-quo. But perhaps there are countercultural trends that stretch beyond geographical borders. We set out to understand how counterculture is perceived around the world, through the experiences of international Harvard students.
The most striking difference between international norms and those of the U.S. lies in how much more prevalent cancel culture appears in the States. In the U.S., counterculture often leads to products of cancel culture.
“Cancel culture here was definitely a big culture shock,” one Irish student said, wishing to remain anonymous. Appearing counterculture—permitting yourself to share an opinion different from the status quo—is almost like a death sentence. For some international students, this meant they had to readjust their vocabulary, learning what was and was not permissible to say.
Another anonymous student from the U.K noted that this may come from the polarizing nature of the two-party system. Indeed, the American divide between Democrats and Republicans fuels a certain resentment that develops into the cancel culture movement. You are either on one team or the other—there is no room for compromise. However, this divide does more than just create a tear in domestic politics; it lowers the tolerance we have for an open dialogue. For international students, this conflation between holding an opinion and canceling someone is one of the most striking culture shocks. Abroad, it seems students are more exposed to a spectrum of opinions, leading them to see the world with less of such harsh separation.
One anonymous sophomore noted that one of the biggest distinctions she noticed about American cancel culture stemmed from humor, and that it was difficult to adjust from her British humor back home. “In the UK, self depreciation is a lot larger, and there is a bigger distinction between making a joke about something and making fun of something,” she said. Conversely, in the attempt to be more inclusive and aware of diverse identities, American culture often disallows light-hearted jokes. Joking about contentious issues can make people upset or come across as rude. This movement away from free speech may be a tide American students are getting used to, but for those coming from abroad, the U.S. environment appears to be more stifling, especially when it comes to potentially controversial topics.
Another anonymous French sophomore reiterated this feeling and highlighted that while cancel culture can exist in France, what makes it distinct from that in the United States lies in its lengthy duration. She explained that in France, being canceled is more synonymous to being reprimanded or temporarily called out in the media. Whereas in the U.S., being publicly canceled or shamed can frequently terminate one’s public reputation.
The media landscape is a critical factor contributing to the differences between cancel culture in the U.S. and abroad. The U.S. media is often divided along ideological lines, perpetuating the polarizing and less tolerant culture. Meanwhile, in France there is a more diverse media landscape that allows for a variety of opinions and perspectives.
Whether in the U.S. or abroad, counterculture exists. What’s clear, however, is the striking difference in both how counterculture movements or individuals are treated, and to what degree. The U.S. might have something to learn from our international students. Sometimes, contrast is necessary.
By learning from our international peers, we can strive to strike a balance between countercultural expression and the respectful exchange of opinions and ideas. International perspectives provide a valuable opportunity to broaden our understanding of counterculture and to appreciate the diversity of perspectives that exist at Harvard and the world.
Alice Khayami ’25 (alicekhayami@college.harvard.edu) , Alexandra Dorofeev ’25 (alexandradorofeev@college.harvard.edu), and Maggie Buckley ’25 (maggiebuckley@college.harvard.edu) hope there will be less canceling in American culture.