God Bless America

Hi all!

I really am trying to keep up with this blog as much as possible but things do get a bit hectic here sometimes, so you'll have to forgive me if you don't hear from me for a few days; it just means I'm out exploring! Haha but anyway, this post will be slightly more solemn than the usual. Today was a strange day. It was the first time I've experienced 9/11 in another country.

The first thing I thought when I woke up this morning was, "today was the day". Thirteen years ago the world changed forever. Those terrorist attacks on a clear September morning, not much different than the weather today, altered the course of human history and drastically affected the way the United States handled foreign affairs. In Ireland, people recognize the event as a horrible thing, but it does not hold nearly as much significance to them. My position here has been a fairly fortuitous one where I have gotten to speak to many high powered officials and figures already before even stepping foot in the Parliament (next week!). Through these conversations I have gleaned an interesting perspective on the way Americans are viewed. We are powerful. We are important. We are who the rest of the world turns too in times of struggle. We are the policemen of the modern global society. Now, of course, as Americans we are proud of our country and where we come from, and any one who knows me at all knows my intense level of patriotism but I feel like I never truly understood the level of respect the United States is given until coming here. Of course there are some negative stereotypes of Americans: loud, obnoxious, power hungry, but for the most part Americans are respected here. Our embassy here in Dublin is quite imposing. The giant gold seal of the United States hanging on the outside of the stone fortress-like building serves as a reminder of our super-power. Walking past it on the way to school I am always filled with joy seeing the colorful red, white, and blue flowered landscaping, as well as the massive American flag flying high.

Also through my conversations with native Irish, I've confirmed something I knew before travelling here: the rest of the world sees President Obama as weak. Very weak. Not many here in the EU respect him as a leader. They don't understand how he is letting Russia and other countries similar walk all over the mighty United States. In any event, it is a great feeling knowing that at the end of this trip, I'll be returning to the greatest country in the world, where even in the darkest of moments we continue to reach for the light.

God bless America.

From Dublin, With love.