Reasons I Love the USA

You can probably tell that I have fallen in love with Denmark: I love Danish values (equality, equal access to basic needs, family, friends, togetherness, community); I love the biking culture and commitment to sustainability; I love the Welfare System and the fact that the country is also a giant community; I love the city of Copenhagen with the blend of old and new, the history and architecture, the modern design; I love the lack of a "consumer culture" and an emphasis on living in moderation; I love seeing Danish families together and watching little independent children roam the city streets in safety; I love hygge in the winter and the weather in the summer; and on and on and on....

My list has grown a lot over the course of the semester, but now as I prepare to head home in just 4 days, I've been working on a different list, one which I am hoping will make my transition into life in the USA a little easier. I'm anticipating some pretty intense "reverse-culture shock" as I adjust to life in a place where I need a car to go pretty much anywhere and have to fear getting killed if riding my bike outside the neighborhood; where I'll have 45 choices of shampoo at our super-sized supermarkets; where I will be met with hot and sticky summer heat (leaving behind the now lush greenery and crisp, sunny, spring weather); and where I will have to resume paying better attention to the endless, unproductive political banter about issues that I see as absurd. 

When I first considering moving back to the States, I felt mostly only sadness. I've now experienced life in a culture where I fit with the values, beliefs, and lifestyle infinitely better than I do with the overall culture of the US. Let me be clear: I have never lost sight of just how blessed I am as an American and particularly in my life as an American (the fact that it's not an equal blessing to all is one thing that bothers me). I know that I have much to be proud of and I've taken the time to seriously consider some of the many things that I love about my life in the USA. I with that, I want to share my top 10 reasons that I <3 the USA (in picture form whenever possible)!

Reason #1: My family and friends. My loved ones have certainly shaped my life and have done so in a remarkable way. I've been surrounded by amazing people from the east to west and from north and south. 

Reason #2: Diversity. One of the very few things that I am critical of Denmark about are their immigration policies. While I understand the concerns of many Danes and the struggles associated with only recently trying to integrate immigrants into what has historically been a VERY homogeneous society, I am very proud of the diversity of the US. I have friends from literally all over the world, from every religious background, etc. 

Reason #3: Endless opportunities. This photo is from the convocation at my Freshman year at Dickinson. To me, my education there has epitomized the concept of endless opportunities. Case and point: study abroad!

Reason #4: The beauty of the landscape. My Dad and I have taken three father-daughter hiking trips across the US. The spectacular scenery (and it's varied nature) is mind-blowing. 

Reason #5: Innovation (particularly in medicine and technology). Denmark may have free health care, but the treatments that they use are almost 100% developed in other countries (often the US). 

Reason #6: Openmindness about people with disabilities (and the changing perspective about mental illness). The US does set the bar reasonably high in terms of the success of the movement empowering people with disabilities. The Best Buddies program is one manifestation of this movement and was the program that introduced me to Sean, one of my very best friends (and my prom date!). Additionally, the conversation about mental illness seems to be changing at a faster rate in the US than it has been in Europe. Keep it up, USA!

Reason #7: Small towns, big cities, and everything in between!

Reason #8: Celebration of individuality and differences: While I love the non-competitive nature of the Danish system, I do love the emphasis that the US puts on how special and unique each of us is. We are able to celebrate the accomplishments of loved ones and to praise them for being who they are.  

Reason #9: Rich, revolutionary history. Not only did we bring about the whole idea of democracy, but we also have recently re-elected the first Black president.... pretty amazing USA. 

Reason #10: US support of important causes worldwide. For those of you who don't know, my big brother is a soldier in the US army. While I would rather have him home safe and sound, I am proud that the US has helped in some pretty important military efforts around the world. Also, this "reason" includes financial support, which the US offers rather generously. 

I think having looked through the endless supply of photos of amazing memories, I've come to realize something very important: despite the fact that politics are messy, there are MANY parts of my life in the US that are not touched by political banter (at least not yet). I can be proud of the things the US stands for, even though I personally believe that our policies and attitudes have gotten off course. I can appreciate many parts of life at home without agreeing with all values at a societal level. Denmark may have the culture with which I fit better, but the US has the people who make my life meaningful and it is where I have been blessed to grow up. I know not every American has a similarly happy story, but for tonight (and this week) I will focus on the grateful side of things.

I'll end here for tonight with the conclusion of one of my first Dickinsonian (school newspaper) columns about my time abroad. The article explained some lifestyle differences between the US and Denmark and closed with some thoughts about the utility of a Danish model in America:

Denmark has an advantage that many other countries around the world (including the US) do not: its size. It is a homogenous society with only 5.5 million people who live in similar conditions, close proximity, and share religious practices and cultural history. These commonalities make compromise and coming together far easier, for I believe it is easier to sacrifice what you have when you know and connect with those who you are working with. The size and diversity of the US -- 300 million people, compared to Denmark’s 5.5 million -- lead to differences in culture and values that Danes don’t have to grapple with (or benefit from). I believe that the biggest problem that the US currently faces is that we see our differences as insurmountable barriers rather than a source of cultural richness to be celebrated. 


I hope that in the coming years we can return to viewing our differences as valuable and worthy of celebration. It is after all, what has defined us.