The Culture Shifts Between Europe and the United States: What Moving Abroad Taught Me About Life, Work, and Family

Have you ever thought about how much your environment shapes the way you live?

Most of us believe we understand the world, until we leave the comfort of what we’ve always known. That’s exactly what happened to me when I left the United States and moved to Spain with my family nearly five years ago.

Hi, I’m Danielle Py-Salas, founder of Expat Livin, a mom of four, an attorney, and a woman who traded hustle culture for a slower, more intentional life overseas. What started as a dream to give my family new experiences turned into a complete mindset shift.

This post isn’t about deciding which is better, the U.S. or Europe. It’s about the real culture shifts that happen when you change your surroundings. Living abroad doesn’t just change your address, it changes how you define success, family, time, and yourself.

From Hustle to Harmony: A Shift in Pace

In the U.S., I was raised to believe that success came from working harder, doing more, and never stopping until you “made it.” I slept in my office during my legal career. I wore “busy” like a badge of honor. Sound familiar?

Then I moved to Spain, and everything slowed down. Here, rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a priority. Siestas are real. Midday breaks are normal. People eat lunch with their families, walk more, and take time to simply enjoy life.

For me, it wasn’t about being less productive. It was about learning that you don’t have to be constantly running to make progress. I stopped asking, “How can I do more?” and started asking, “Do I even need to do this at all?”

That shift alone was worth the move.

Patriotism vs. Perspective: National Pride with Nuance

In the United States, patriotism is loud, visible, and woven into daily life. There are flags on porches, national anthems before every game, and a deeply rooted pride that’s often tied to identity.

In Europe, particularly in Spain, patriotism is different. It’s often regional rather than national. People are proud to be from Galicia, Catalonia, or Andalucía, but that pride is expressed more subtly. There’s less flag-waving and more community pride. It’s a quieter sense of belonging, without the need to constantly prove or declare it.

This shift was refreshing. You can love where you’re from without shouting it from the rooftops. And for many Europeans I’ve met, American patriotism can come across as, well, intense and sometimes even arrogant. And while stereotypes never tell the whole story, they often stem from truth.

Global Awareness: Seeing Beyond Our Borders

Another major difference? Perspective on the world.

In the U.S., it’s easy to feel like the center of the universe. News cycles often focus on internal affairs, and global stories rarely make headlines unless they involve conflict, disaster, or celebrity gossip.

In Spain, I noticed right away how different the news coverage is. Local channels discuss elections in neighboring countries, humanitarian issues in Africa, and events throughout Latin America. Kids grow up understanding that the world doesn’t revolve around their home country, they’re part of a global community.

As a mom, that mattered to me. I want my kids to be curious, compassionate global citizens. Living in Europe supports that goal in ways I didn’t even realize I needed.

Culture: Deep vs. Diverse

At first, I bristled when people said America "doesn’t have culture." But after living in Europe, I get what they meant.

Europe has layered culture: centuries of history, architecture, festivals, and languages all coexisting in the same region. Every village has a story. Every holiday has ancient roots.

In contrast, American culture is newer and more diverse. It’s not less valuable, it’s just different. The U.S. is a blend of traditions brought by immigrants from all over the world. Think jazz, barbecue, peanut butter, Broadway, and Super Bowl Sunday. It's a cultural mosaic, modern, and eclectic.

There’s richness in both. One isn’t better. But being immersed in Europe’s depth gave me a deeper appreciation for how culture shapes people’s identities.

Raising Kids Abroad: More Play, Less Pressure

Let’s talk about parenting, because this was one of the biggest culture shocks.

In the U.S., raising kids felt like a rat race: school, sports, homework, repeat. Life was structured around constant performance.

In Spain, childhood feels… well, like childhood. Kids play more. They walk to school. They come home for lunch. They aren’t constantly being evaluated or compared. Our son Xavier walks home every day and we share lunch as a family, a luxury I never had back home.

And guess what? The academics are still strong. But the pressure is lighter, and the lifestyle supports emotional well-being in a way I didn’t expect.

Work-Life Balance: A New Definition of Success

If there’s one thing I wish every American could experience, it’s this: life doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.

In Spain, people take real vacations. They don’t brag about working late. They make time for community, meals, and rest. Businesses close for lunch. Priorities are different, and the entire system is built to support a more balanced way of living.

Yes, things move slower, and that takes getting used to. But once I stopped resisting it, I realized how much I had been missing.

Today, I run a business and support my family, but I also have space to breathe. And that’s priceless.

So, Is One Culture Better?

Not at all. They’re just different.

The U.S. gave me grit, ambition, and opportunities. Europe gave me clarity, calm, and reconnection. I didn’t move to escape the U.S., I moved to gain a broader perspective. And I found one.

If you’re thinking about making a move, I encourage you to explore it. Not because Europe is perfect (it’s not), but because travel and immersion are the best ways to learn who you are and what you want.

Final Thoughts: Moving Abroad Changes More Than Your Address

It changes your mindset.

You begin to question things you took for granted. You redefine success. You spend more time doing what matters and less time chasing what doesn’t.

I hope this post gives you a starting point to reflect on your own life. And if you’re considering a move abroad, know this: you don’t have to do it alone.

At Expat Livin, we’re building a global community of people just like you: dreamers, doers, families, and freedom-seekers who want to create a life they love on their terms.

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