You anticipate meeting new people and experiencing different cultures, cuisines, and languages when you relocate abroad for education. However, you might be surprised to see how studying elsewhere might alter your perspective of your own nation.
I had no idea how my perspective on the United States would change when I relocated to the South of France two years ago to study abroad. I grew up with strong opinions and convictions about my native nation.
Since I was born and raised in the United States, I have always believed that this is the greatest place to live, work, and take advantage of opportunities. Living overseas gave me the opportunity to interact with people from a wide range of nations and ethnicities. My perspective has changed as a result of seeing and comprehending their lifestyle.
Living in France changed my perspective because of the easy access to healthcare and the social benefits that are a part of everyone’s everyday existence.
In France, access to healthcare is regarded as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege. For the first time in years, the thought of seeing a doctor was not accompanied with financial anxiety. After witnessing that personally, I began to doubt the American systems I had always taken for granted.
Living in the United States has many wonderful elements, and while this did not lessen my affection for the nation, it did change my perspective on what a nation can and ought to offer its citizens.
My American identity has grown rather than diminished as a result of living in the south of France. I no longer consider “best” to be a fixed title for a single nation, but rather something that is influenced by one’s beliefs, priorities, and personal vision of the future.
Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Andrea Camayo is a student at the University of Monaco. She took part in the summer internship program run by PennLive and the Harrisburg World Affairs Council.
