5 Surprising Things I Actually Like About The US

It’s nice to be grateful sometimes

If you’ve read me before, you know I have conflicted feelings about the United States. Coming here as an immigrant wasn’t easy, and my “socialist” mindset is far from the country’s majority.

I was never one to dream about living in the United States. I came here for the first time because of an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. I stayed because I met someone I couldn’t leave behind.

Moving from Europe to the United States was a big adjustment — just like learning a new language. Things I wouldn’t think twice about at home became a source of anxiety here. As much as I know I will never truly belong here, I have learned to appreciate some unique things about the United States.

1 — Universities

It’s one of these things you don’t know you’re missing until you have it. I was pleased with how my bachelor’s went. I was studying in Paris, living in the suburbs with my parents. Taking the subway a7 AM was normal for me.

Once I started to live on an American university campus, I didn’t want to go back! I got used to living 10 minutes away from my classes, being able to walk to get food, living close to my friends, and having many activities to take part in.

I spent a year studying in the US and loved it. Beyond the campus, I was also amazed by the classes. Even though my university in the US was small (less than 2,500 students), there were many classes to choose from (including art and music). Plus, most of my classes had less than 20 students. An ideal way to study.

One major point I need to make is that, as an exchange student, I didn’t pay tuition. It was easy for me to enjoy without being scared of student loans and employment. My situation was optimal, but I’m not so sure I would have loved it as much had I been forced to pay to live on campus and spend $20,000+ for the experience.

2 — Food

It’s surprising, coming from a French person, but the food here is not as bad as we make it to be. Sure, it’s not French gastronomy, and the traditions are heavily influenced by different cultures, but it makes it richer.

There’s so much diversity in the food. The United States was built on slavery and immigration. The history translates into the food, as it should. South American food is well represented and appreciated across the country, but it’s easy to find old European recipes transformed by the immigrants.

I wish African gastronomy was more present and mainstream, slavery being such a large page of American history. It would be a great way to acknowledge, pay our respect, and integrate black history even further into the country’s culture.

One big difference with France is the variety of products — or at least their availability. In France, I eat seasonal local produce to help preserve the planet. You won’t catch me eating strawberries at Christmas. Here, the country is so big — and much further south than France — that it’s actually easier to have year-round products.

The last thing that needs to be pointed out is the many vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free products. It’s easy to find quality food and it’s usually well indicated on the packaging. The vegetarian food is better here.

I also have a lot of negative things to say about food in the US, but now is not the time. It’s definitely far from perfect.

3 — Landscapes

I spent most of my time living in New York State, but I had the chance to visit other states, such as Connecticut, Maine, and South Carolina. I love the diversity of landscapes.

Even from one side of NY state to the other, the trees are so different, and the hills are not shaped the same. You can tell you are traveling just by looking out the window, and yet you are still in the same state!

Coming from a small country, it’s hard to wrap my head around how big the United States actually is. I’m used to changing countries in Europe, I see it as the same thing here.

Plus, the countryside is beautiful. So green (at least around where I live). I appreciate how many forests, state parks, and national parks there are. I want to believe the US is doing its best to preserve its rich nature. It’s what makes the country so beautiful.

Don’t make the mistakes we made, and keep your trees alive. It will keep you alive too.

4 — Animals

It goes hand in hand with the landscapes and nature, but I love how many animals I see here. Granted, I live in the countryside in a very green state, and my backyard transforms into a forest. I’m very lucky.

Yet, even when I visit big cities, I’m always happy to see squirrels. I know the Central Parks ones are mental, but they are cute. They are relentless in Niagara Falls, and kind of rude in Boston (but what else is there to expect?).

I was amazed the first time I can to the US and found a groundhog eating the fallen apples under the apple tree in my garden. My mind was blown. In France, groundhogs are a very rare sight in the mountains. Here, there are rodents. My in-laws have been talking about getting rid of the family under the shed for years. I love to peek out the window during spring and summer and see one big groundhog running around the garden.

We also have deer. Many deer. Too many deer? I think that, once again, they are cute, but they are also very dangerous. At night, we have to be careful when driving. They easily break a car.

The birds. The birds are so beautiful here! And so colorful! I see yellow ones, black ones with an orange point on their heads, blue jays, hummingbirds (I never knew they lived in New York), and so many others. The sparrows are the same as in Europe, but still nice to observe!

Finally, I thought I lost my husband forever when he was swimming in South Carolina and a fin appeared behind him. I started jumping and screaming from the beach to come back, that there was something behind him…

It was a dolphin. A freaking dolphin and a bunch of his friends, just passing by. Again, mind blown.

5 — The sky

You guys are on the wrong side of the ocean to see sunsets on the beach (expect my west coast friends), but damn is the sky beautiful around here. It doesn’t get old. Almost every evening, the sky turns pink. It gives the surrounding nature an out-of-this-world feel.

A picture is worth 100 words, right?

I will be back, grumpy again at the US for legit reasons, but I can’t deny that it’s not all bad here.

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