When I first moved to Houston, Texas, I lived in a one-bedroom apartment. After two weeks, I met a new tenant who was 17-19 years old moving his furniture. I thought he was helping his family to move to the complex. I offered to help him, which he accepted . By chance, his apartment was just over my apartment. I remember that I could unintentionally hear any sound from his apartment. So I was aware of his daily schedule; and I was so embarrassed to notice that he was very accurate when it came to time. I was completely shocked by the idea that a young adult lives independently in his own apartment dealing with all the obligations and making his choices. This experience gave me a realistic model about the values of individualism and independence in the United States.