America Gets My Vote
I was born and raised in Singapore and emigrated to the U.S. as an
adult. Although I have fond memories of my native land, America gets my vote for the best country in the world to live in. Unlike many immigrants who
leave their native countries to flee oppressive governments, poverty,joblessness, natural disasters and other commonly cited reasons for emigration, I left my comfortable life in Singapore in order to make a career changeI was burnt out from my job as a registered nurse and wanted to get a degree in English so I could pursue a career in writing. Since the admission policy at the college in Singapore at the time did not allow older students to be admitted to its program, I applied to and was admitted to a college in the U.S. Thus begun my love affair with the U.S. which has since blossomed into a long lasting and endearing relationship.

I have since graduated from college with a B.A. in English. I could not have accomplished this goal without financial aid, another of the blessings which living in the U.S. has showered on me. Furthermore, my American college experience has provided me with a well rounded education and given me the analytical and writing skills necessary to be a successful writer someday.
I also cherish the privacy which living in America gives me. For example, I have been living at my current residence for two years and my neighbors are not nosey. They may greet me with, "Good Morning," or "Have a nice day," but don't say anything more beyond that. This would not be the case in Singapore.
Neighbors in Singapore would be curious about where I work, how much I get paid and if I'm married or single.
Another luxury I enjoy in America is the wide, open spaces here, be it outdoors or in the grocery aisle. When I'm out on a drive with my fianc, I'm appreciative of the great outdoors one finds in Oregon. Likewise, when I'm shopping for groceries, I love the fact that there's lots of room between the aisles and I'm not crushed between my fellow shoppers. This is not the case in Singpore, a tiny island 225 square miles in areathere just is not room enough for wide open spaces there. Instead one has to contend with skyscrapers towering way up into the skyline and jostsling with one's fellow Singaporeans every where, be it grocery shopping, riding the subway or riding an elevator.

I also appreciate the less formal way of life here in the U.S. This applies to the way we dress, talk, relate to people, be it our elders, bosses, instructors, president. For instanceon my first day of college-I was totally floored when I heard a fellow student address our instructor by his first name.
This would not be kosher in Singapore. An instructor in Singapore would be deeply offended if a student addressed him/her by his/her first name. Ditto for addressing one's boss by their first name.

I also save a ton of money on clothing since I moved to the statesnotwithstanding the fact that I have to have seasonal clothing. This is
largely due to the fact that shopping for clothes at a thrift store is a
totally acceptable practice here in the U.S. Back in Singapore, most people I know of wouldn't be caught dead in used clothingits higly taboo.

Now that I'm done waxing lyrical about the U.S, allow me to add that I'll always cherish my native land. However, I'm realistic enough to admit that I've become adapted and acculturated to life in the U.S. and it would take quite an effort for me to adapt to living in Singapore again. So, I'll count my blessings and end tmy litany with, "God Bless America."

Learn more about this author, Shamala Martin.
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