OP has already answered what was written in the article, but I don't think I could've finished uni if I refused to use proprietary software. We had to use matlab for one course, xilinx for another, android studio for another, visual studio for another (as in: actually learn how to use visual studio specifics), DaVinci configurator etc etc.
Outside of mathematics and general IT courses, we were always required to use a proprietary tool. It sucks that universities force you to do that, but sometimes there isn't really another option if the industry is like that. Uni cannot prepare you for automotive software engineering without showing you the tools that are used, and they are all proprietary. Hopefully this changes on day.
I can't speak for the rest of the world, but in Serbia 90% of TV shows and movies are American, and generally people watch primarily American movies/series online and in cinemas. Most people listen to American music and use English words in daily conversation. Most are familiar with things like 9/11, Vietnam, 4th of July, Woodstock, hippies etc.
A lot of younger people are more familiar with American history, topics, movies and music than their own culture. I'm not saying it's good, but Americans have an undeniably strong cultural influence, at least in Europe.