American freedom symbolises different things for different people. While the core principles of American Independence date back to 4th July 1776, people all over the world will have a different story to tell about what it means to be in the land of the free. As a British exchange student who spent my last year in South Carolina, I look back on my time abroad as one of the most carefree and joyful years of my life. As I sit in my computer chair sipping a cup of tea (pardon the positively dreadful stereotype) I reflect upon all the times I took American freedom for granted. In the red, white and blue spirit of Independence Day, here’s a Brits-eye view of what American freedom means to me.
American freedom makes dreams come true.
It’s dreaming about what it meant To Have A Dream. 
It’s dreaming about what the New York skyline looks like from 86 floors high. 
It’s dreaming that you’re Alice Paul and the National Women’s Party picketing the White House for female suffrage. 
It’s dreaming about what frat parties are really like. 
It’s dreaming about the golden California coastline. 
It’s dreaming about the greats from past and present. 
American freedom creates opportunity.
It’s learning how to rock-climb in Alabama. 
It’s waking up in the morning and seeing your columns in the newspaper.
It’s setting up a volleyball team with a group of internationals.
It’s giving presentations about England in an American middle school.
It’s becoming South Carolina’s best student columnist 2013. 
American freedom is variation.
It’s travelling through four states in 2 weeks. 
It’s having friends from all over the world, from all walks of life. 
It’s being friends with people who are nothing like you. 
It’s meeting a new person every day. 
It’s learning that doing things a little differently is okay.
American freedom is team spirit.
It’s a cheerleading squad seeing it through to the end.
It’s stars and stripes on every corner. 
It’s 80,000 people rooting for the same team.
It’s a marching band 340 musicians strong. 
It’s standing on your feet for 4 hours straight.
American freedom is hospitality.
It’s going to seminars at your tutor’s house.
It’s going to an American home for Thanksgiving.
It’s staying with American friends for a week.
It’s feeling at home in every state. 
It’s being accepted for who I am.
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