Although we were instructed on our roles as ambassadors of both Allegheny
and America before we left for our respective courses, I myself never
thought about it much. However, looking back I am able to think of any
number of examples where I have positively represented Americans, as well
as Allegheny College. This mostly has to do with the fact that I like to
complain. Any difference I found between my previous lifestyle and my life
in England, I would find a way to spin it so that America and Allegheny
came out on top. For instance, even though Lancaster has a month long
spring break (seriously Allegheny, think about it) and gives its final
exams over a course of several weeks, I chose to interpret this to my
flatmates that American universities, particularly liberal arts colleges,
provide a more rigorous education, and are thus clearly better. In this
regard, I have also found myself constantly forced to be an American
ambassador because people in Europe find Americans rather fascinating.
Everywhere I went, whether it be Brussels, London, or Prague, I found
myself being questioned about American politics or my life at home. At
first, this was rather off-putting and I usually knew less about American
politics than the person asking me about them, thus making me a less than
admirable ambassador. However, as time went on I found myself more
interested in politics and world happenings due to the added focus and
interactions with global issues. So while at some times I played the role
of the ignorant American and perhaps rubbed people the wrong way (when the
French barista in a Paris Starbucks refused to give me a straw while I
mimed drinking in the air), I still believe that I represented America and
Allegheny positively. While talking with my American friends that are also
abroad, we have all found that we have a much greater appreciation for
what we left behind while we are gone. Before I left, I was never one to
boast about how great America is--whether this is because I had never been
anywhere to compare it with or because Obama was inaugurated while I was
gone, we will never know. Now, whether its talking about how much cooler
the President is than the Queen, or talking up the quality of American
education, I know that I have fulfilled my role as an ambassador and that
I have left people (at least a few) with a better impression of Americans
than they had before.