More than two years ago I stepped on American ground for the first time. I was full of excitement to enter a new continent, and to explore its young culture. 

However, I soon realized the country is different than I expected. 

I was surprised that I saw near-broken cars driving on the streets; that the roads had chuckholes, and were ripped; that the power poles were inclined. I thought that I would enter into the most technologically advanced country in the world, and discovered differently.

Being labeled as a freshman, and being considered a kid instead of an adult, made me angry. I leave home in order to become independent and start my grown-up life, and then I am treated like a 15 year old in the midst of puberty.  

Living in the dorms and having a passion to go for a run turned out to be dangerous. On an innocent afternoon I was running west on 21st Street. I enjoyed it until a white, big, expensive GMC stopped in front of me. A man came out of the car and asked me if I was a student from WSU. I answered yes, and thereupon he told me that I should go back since this area is supposed to be a “bad neighborhood.” My heart started beating, and I sprinted back. I was confused and I just had in my mind: How is it possible that so close to a university campus you find such dangerous streets?

More than one month ago an email was sent out to all the students explaining that there has been a robbery on 16th St., which is again close to campus, and also close to my new apartment. At 9 p.m. a man in his 30s was threatened by three guys with a handgun, and was robbed. After talking with my American friends about the robbery, both said that if I want to avoid feeling threatened, or scared, I should get a handgun for my own protection. I was shocked, and I had the feeling that I was living a stereotype. All Americans have their own guns for self-defense. I counter-argued that I am European, and German, and that I do not know the need, or desire, for a handgun. Guns cause violence, and having a gun means to use violence, no matter if it is considered defense, or offense.   

I am studying political science, and I figured out that my culture’s past is still present. In every politics class I was part of, the reference to World War II, Hitler, or the Holocaust was made at least once. I do not feel offended by this reference, but it is a dark spot in our history for which I do feel embarrassed. I am wondering if Americans study about the German nationalism as a prime example for dictatorships, and forget to talk about the Italian fascism, and Soviet and Chinese Communisms? All of them abused and ignored human rights as well.  

Nevertheless, I have to live with this dark stereotype and there is no escape, but to accept it. 

However, after being so negative about the country which enables me to receive a bachelor`s degree, I should start to mention what positive impacts the U.S. has had on my life. I am very happy to be able to study here in the U.S., and I love to be within a mix of different cultures. Studying on a German university would not have made this happen. Having a car was a decision which I had to make since the public transportation is not helpful in Wichita. Being the owner of a car, and calling it mine, means independence. I would have never gotten that easy access in Germany, since it is a lot more expensive to be a car owner. 

Although I do not see myself staying in the U.S., I want to finish what I started here. 

I appreciate my life experience on the WSU campus, and I would recommend anyone to study in another culture.