When I was living in England I found that the more I lived abroad, the more American I discovered I was

When I was living in England I found that the more I lived abroad, the more American I discovered I was

Daniel J. Boorstin, an American historian, once said, "The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge." This quote resonates with me as I reflect on my experience living in England and how it led me to discover my true American identity.

When I first moved to England, I was excited to immerse myself in a new culture and way of life. I embraced the British customs, tried new foods, and even adopted some British slang. However, as time went on, I began to realize that no matter how much I tried to blend in, there were certain aspects of my identity that were inherently American.

One of the first things that made me realize my Americanness was my accent. No matter how hard I tried to mimic the British accent, I could never quite get it right. My American twang always seemed to give me away, and I found myself constantly being asked where I was from. This made me realize that no matter how much I tried to fit in, my accent would always betray me as an American.

Another aspect of my Americanness that became apparent to me was my cultural values and beliefs. Living in England, I found myself constantly comparing the British way of life to the American way. I realized that certain values, such as individualism and freedom, were deeply ingrained in me as an American. I also found that my perspective on issues such as politics, education, and social norms was shaped by my American upbringing.

As I continued to live abroad, I found that the more I interacted with people from different cultures, the more I appreciated my American identity. I began to see the unique qualities that set Americans apart from others, such as our optimism, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. I also realized that my American identity was not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be proud of.