“Everything is bigger in America”

            The longer I live in Finland, the more it seems to change me and the way I see America (a.k.a the states).

I don’t know if Finland is extremely modest or if America is just obnoxious, maybe a little bit of both. Either way living in Finland has made me more humble. Having ‘celebrated’ Halloween, Christmas, New Years, and Valentines day in Finland there is much celebrating going on, some would say its mellow and others would say its boring, but everyone has said “everything is just bigger in America”. In Finland there are no Tacky decorations (hardly any at all), there isn’t a big ball drop, there aren’t big shopping mall sales, and Valentines day isn’t a romantic holiday.

Living in this small European Country I have learned more about the United States of America than I ever have actually living in America. It is very surprising how much America affects other Countries and what their opinions are on America. I’m not embarrassed being American, I’m proud. Although I am embarrassed of what other of the things Finland knows and thinks about America. For example in every grocery store there is an ‘American isle’ and that is basically where you can find the most unhealthy items in the store (candy, soda, everything sugar, chips..etc.) I’m pretty sure half of it isn’t even made/sold/or from America, but it is still labeled American.

The other things that represent America in Finland are reality TV shows such as the Kardashians and endless weight loss shows, Donald Trump, and clothing items. For some reason there are stores filled with clothes that have the American flag on them or say New York/ Texas/ LA but I haven’t seen any clothing items representing Finland or any other Country. EVERYONE here knows all about Donald Trump and I get asked daily if my family is going to vote for him or if i’m excited to have him be our next President and I never know what to say.

When I think of America and what represents it, I think of independence and many powerful leaders. So it is interesting seeing America from another point of view.