Bicultural

Biculturalism allows for an individual to be proficient with both one's heritage culture and the culture of the country in which they have settled. Many immigrants as well as their children, who are raised with cultural influence of two countries, may consider themselves bicultural. It is not unusual for children who are raised by immigrants to be deeply affected by the heritage culture at home with their families but also by the public culture of their new country.

Individuals who are bicultural may exhibit behaviors such as language use, choice of friends, and media preferences which are from both cultural backgrounds. Some immigration experts also suggest that true biculturalism involves "synthesizing the heritage and receiving cultures into a unique and personalized blend." For example, a Chinese American may mix traditional Chinese foods with an American hamburger and therefore create a new meal which is not directly reducible to either the heritage or receiving cultural streams.

Biculturalism may lead to a mixed blend of traditions and morals and religious beliefs. For example, a Chinese American may accept traditional Asian values of respect to authority, but also relate to the American ideal of working hard to achieve personal success and recognition, thus creating a new "cultural attitude."