While hundreds of students gather at MUNFW to simulate international diplomacy, many are also experiencing life in the United States—some for the first time. To gain a sense of how America is perceived by international attendees, several foreign students were asked to share their impressions of the country, both the good and the not-so-good.

Mr. Matt Cousin, from France, described the U.S. as chaotic—but in a way he finds oddly hopeful. He explained that he loves America because, in his view, “fascism and a horrendous economy” will inevitably give rise to “hippies and rock music and drugs,” adding, “but in a fun way, not a desperate way.” He expressed confidence that turbulent times could lead to positive cultural shifts, as he believes they have in the past. However, when commenting on protests in the U.S., particularly hateful ones, he remarked, “You Americans have way too much free time.” His least favorite part of the U.S.? The food. “French food here is a disgrace,” he said. “Your parmesan cheese is not parmesan cheese.”

Ms. Maya Abuljalil, from Ethiopia, listed In-N-Out as her favorite part of America. “Cheap, good, and fast,” she said. But she also pointed out challenges for students, saying “no benefits for students, and everything being expensive” were serious drawbacks.

Also from Ethiopia, Mr. Yeab Alemayehu shared a similar love for In-N-Out and noted that “the architecture was really cool too.” However, he expressed frustration with the complexity of social expectations around gender identity in the U.S. “If I make a mistake unknowingly, it makes them a little upset, which in turn makes me feel bad,” he said. He noted that gender discussions are approached very differently in Ethiopia, where such topics are less openly discussed.

Mr. Albert Lee, from Taiwan, praised several aspects of life in the U.S., including the workplace environment, respect for personal freedom, diversity, and the structure of higher education. “People respect other people’s freedom, less judgment. Diversity is nice. Higher education is good,” he said. He also appreciated that children in the U.S. are generally more protected from harsh punishment.

However, Lee voiced strong criticisms as well. He said, “The president is crazy, and a white supremacist. He doesn’t like immigrants.” He expressed concern over gun laws and the high cost of healthcare in America. “Even with insurance, the American fees are expensive,” he said. “In Taiwan, it’s around 10 USD to see a doctor—with good quality. Here, it’s way more.” He also said he felt there was limited freedom of speech around discussions of the Palestine-Israel conflict, concluding, “Mostly Trump I dislike though.”

These candid reflections offer a glimpse into how foreign students experience American life—often with a mix of humor, critique, and curiosity. While fast food and freedom stand out as popular highlights, cost of living, cultural tension, and healthcare remain frequent points of concern.

Nathan Howland
World Press Reporter
Mesa Community College