5 Reasons Why I'm Proud to Be an American

Visit any foreign country and you'll notice that us Americans don't always have the best reputation. Take it from me, the girl who's lived across the pond for two years and has had to face countless (mostly good-natured) jokes about Americans.

It's so easy to focus on the negatives of this country these days- from our politics (yikes) to our gun laws (double yikes), there never seems to be enough positive light shed on the good ol' U.S. of A.

But, even with all the flack our nation receives, the old adage still rings true "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Ever since I moved to the UK for university I've found myself identifying as an American more than ever. Mostly because it's easier to explain than exactly where I live or my exact heritage, but in part because I truly realize that while the UK may be incredible in some aspects, the US actually has a lot going for it. 

So, in the spirit of the Fourth of July and my (fairly) newfound appreciation of America, I'd like to share a few serious and not-so serious reasons as to why I'm proud to be an American.

We possess excessive amounts of positivity and a can-do attitude- Ever heard of that little thing called the "American Dream?" While it may seem like a fairly old-fashioned idea, it's something that people in this country strive for each and every day. And because of that, we're always gung-ho about everything we set our minds to. It might get annoying at times, but you can always count on an American to be the the positive one amongst all the downers of the world.

Our sports games are second to none- You don't even need to be a sports fanatic to enjoy a game of baseball. Because it's not just about the game, it's about the whole atmosphere of the event. From singing in the bleachers, to doing the wave across the entire stadium, to chatting with other spectators, there's just something about our sports games that make you feel like you're a part of a community.

We know how to laugh at our own flaws (for the most part)- Even when the jokes are directed at us (or our politics), Americans can laugh off the insults with our great sense of humor. In fact, we might even join in on the fun and crack a few jokes as well. Most of the time, we realize our own flaws and can poke fun at typical American stereotypes without getting offended.

We never skimp out on portions (or free bread)- I know some people will jump up on their high horse and say to this "that's why Americans are so fat!" But, hear me out. As a broke student who loves a good deal, it bothers me that restaurants in the UK hardly ever give you free bread with their meals. Maybe it's because I've come to expect it as an American, but come on. It's common courtesy, guys! And the portions in the UK are absolutely no match for our American-sized meals- and our food is pretty good too.

We celebrate our hard-fought independence in the best way possible- There's truly no beating the 4th of July when it comes to it's festivities. From the cookouts, to the drinking, to the fireworks, to the beach days, we really know how to celebrate a win. And what a win it was (sorry, England, you're not looking too hot right now with Brexit and all). And even though we're a fairly "young" country as far as countries go, you have to admit that we've had a pretty rich and varied history since then.

There's so much to be proud of as an American, and this list is just a start! Hope everyone has a happy fourth of July!