Being a stranger in a strange land can be rather…strange. These days, it seems like most people are convinced traveling to Europe is a terrible idea and should be avoided at all costs. Why does anyone think it’s safer to travel around the United States than Europe?
We’re the ones with a gun problem, remember? Not now, or ever can I remember hearing about gangs of Europeans hunting down Americans, though I’m all too familiar with the number of violent crimes in the United States. In the first part of 2002, I had the opportunity to study abroad in England and then travel around Europe. What I discovered became questionable when I compared it to the cautions of danger and rabid anti-Americanism that had been put in my head before I left for Europe. Above all, I soon learned never to believe the hype.
During my semester at City University in England, I had the privilege of living in the school dormitories with other English and European students. It seemed as though the English students were as eager to meet us “Yankees” as we were to meet them. Despite the mutual friendliness, there were people who would not hesitate to tell me what bothered them about America. However, it wouldn’t be long before I was listening to what they loved about America. Otherwise, when their comments became offensive, I didn’t hesitate to remind them that I am not an elected official and they should redirect their comments to someone in charge; and sometimes I gave them a quick history lesson called “Why the English don’t speak German.”
It soon became obvious that while certain people dislike America, that did not mean they disliked Americans. Besides, I soon learned that no matter what country you’re from, whether it’s America, England or nearly any other country in the world, we are united by a common incredulity for the ineptitude of George W. Bush. Sometimes it’s the things that seem to separate that, in the end, unite us all.
Nearly every week I would receive an e-mail from my parents or my school in England reminding me to keep a low profile when walking around London, and how the world is no longer safe for Americans. I’m not sure what they meant to accomplish with this advice; were they suggesting I keep my mouth shut, and stay out of the sun long enough to pass for an Englishman? I soon figured out the best way to lay low and avoid any trouble was to maintain a modicum of respect for one’s foreign status, and the customs of the foreign land. On the London Underground, known as the Tube, I would chuckle to myself when I saw the occasional group of Americans acting loud and obnoxious, screaming into their mobile phones, only to find the entire train wanting their heads. English people are very quiet on their subways, and in an effort to preserve some type of good name for Americans, I too, would keep conversations to a minimum and, perhaps, read a paper. To those who would ever ask if I were an American, my response would be affirmative, and most of the time they would merely be curious about my political opinions as an American.
Outside of London, the story was no different. I would read the advisories about the dangers of traveling and the potential risks involved, and I’d wonder why the U.S. has yet to issue a travel advisory on Los Angeles for the same reasons.
To my surprise, I never met people as friendly in the United States as I did during my travels in Europe. In Dublin, Ireland, my friends and I met a bartender at a pub who was so thrilled to serve Americans, we were drinking on the house until the place closed. In Italy, on a train, I sat in a compartment with seven other Italian youths, roughly my age, who were desperately trying to tell me, through a very thick language barrier, how sorry they were for the events of Sept. 11. Even in France, I would get smiles from people in shops when they heard my American voice.
Obviously, my experiences were positive, with very little trouble on account of my homeland. However, times are different, and the world is slightly more sour on America with regards to the war in Iraq. Yet, I remain convinced that any American who can respect their surroundings and the people around them can enjoy their time abroad and thoroughly enrich their life without ever being subject to danger. And unless the idea of chatting with a stranger about the world frightens you, pack your bags and head to Europe. Otherwise, I hear Los Angeles is lovely this time of year…
