A note on the differences between collectivist and individualistic societies

I have noticed the impact of a collectivist society most notably in my classes. 

First, in group work, no one panics about someone not doing the work...everyone trusts the others and takes care of their part, and if they have to more of the work this time, so be it.  No one complains. They also take care of each other.  For example, one our group members disappeared one week when an assignment was due. He wasn't in class, didn't respond to emails ...but we still left his name on the paper. He will get the same grade as us.  No one even said anything about it. (Being an American, I of course called him to see where the heck he was!)

Second, here the professors encourage us to do our homework in groups and students have no problem passing along their work to another student. It's not considered cheating.

I read in my text on Organizational Behavior that there is less ambiguity of roles in collectivist societies...or maybe they just don't need to know their role!  I also feel like, as an American, I want very specific assignments, structure required, purpose, who is doing what and by when.... In general though, I can see how in Mexico, the roles are very clear...such as for women (mothers and wives), service providers (taxi driver, server, housekeeper), boss, etc.  Things tend to be pretty hierarchical here.