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Living in America, the Land of the Free

By: Edbert Wartono

February 15, 2023

I will always look back at my short five-month stay here in the United States with so much fondness and joy. It has been such an eye-opening and transformative experience and a welcome change of environment in my life. Since this is my second time moving abroad alone, I was definitely more prepared to deal with the challenges I already knew were coming. Rather than the anxiety and fear that engulfed me the first time around, I was excited to get out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and make the most out of the little time I had here. Living in the United States has always been a dream of mine, especially since I grew up watching American television shows. I’ve forged many new friendships with people from all around the world who share similar hobbies and ideas. I also enjoyed the deep and intellectual conversations I had with many in the Georgetown University community, something I found difficult to do in Singapore. I guess a lot of people here are so much more opinionated and open to sharing their thoughts and discussing them with others because American culture emphasizes these principles and ideals.

Washington Monument in Washington, DC, against a night sky.
Washington Monument in Washington, DC, against a night sky.

Living in the United States has pushed me to become more open and confident. I often find it difficult to speak up in social settings because I am an introvert. However, people here have generally been so friendly and welcome to initiate a conversation with me. Thus, they have helped me overcome my personal hurdles, and I am now much more confident starting conversations. Moreover, seeing the diversity of ethnicity, size, and religion in American society has let me embrace and love myself and my identities more.

Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.
Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.

My mental well-being has also improved significantly here in the United States. I think the stigma against mental health in Singapore and Indonesia has resulted in limited discussions of its impacts on daily life. There are minimal informal talks of mental health, and professional resources seem too out-of-reach for everyday people. However, the openness and emphasis on which mental health is discussed here in the United States is certainly a pleasant surprise. I think being able to share our worries and have them validated by others has helped me a great deal. Being able to talk with others and build empathy has certainly improved my mental health during my time here. I hope that I can foster this open environment back home and help my peers in dealing with their problems.

View of the New York City skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge.
View of the New York City skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge.

I have come to better appreciate what diversity represents in society. I have lived in three different countries, each with its own approach to diversity. I believe that merely accepting and tolerating diversity is insufficient to foster empathy; it is more important to embrace diversity. Embracing diversity starts with having open discussions with one another and understanding prejudices, stereotypes, and preconceived notions. Since everyone has different life experiences as a result of their ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status, everyone develops different lenses to view society. Recognizing these differences is the first step in embracing diversity and opens up the possibility for a fruitful balancing of interests and views in discussions moving forward. This also helps build mutual respect in view of shared goals and the improvement of society at large. Therefore, I believe that learning to embrace diversity is a way forward in engaging differences in the globalized and diverse world we live in today.

A large stone statue, titled Religious Liberty, features a woman with a gold crown and an eagle and child beside her.
A large stone statue, titled Religious Liberty, features a woman with a gold crown and an eagle and child beside her.

I have also observed the dangers of intolerance towards diversity in American society during my time here. While everyone indeed has the inherent right to voice their opinions, the unwillingness to compromise and understand other ideas and opinions has fractured the American social fabric. There has been increased political polarization here in the United States, and it has led to tragic incidents costing people's lives. Such intolerance to alternative ideas and approaches has jeopardized the security and the foundation of democracy. While American democracy has always been a work in progress to accommodate diversity, the push to embrace diversity has been minimal. Reflecting on my time here, I have learned to be more grateful for my background and the wonderful opportunity to broaden my horizon and learn new perspectives from different people around the world. I learned to dim the lenses of prejudice and stereotypes I unconsciously wear to better empathize with others.