Response to Uncle Dan's Comment

Here's the answers from the perspective of...

The Kids:

1. Has your overall mindset of the US changed at all by living overseas?
My mom always told us that when we come back to the US, we would have a "culture shock". When we went back for the summer, we didn't experience anything like that. However, I think that many people in the US spend on things that they don't need to waste their money on, and are very materialistic.

2. Have you become more patriotic?
I think that in general, yes, we have become more patriotic. I believe this because in a society with so many different ethnic backgrounds, you are always trying to prove that your country is the best, has the best accent, etc. In this way, you are supporting your country more.

3. Have you had a chance to speak with foreigners about their overall view of the US?
I have only talked to one Ugandan about the US. He was my old guard, and he said that it was his lifelong dream to travel and live in the US. He also said that I was "so lucky" that I came from such a nice place, and that if he ever had enough money to live in the US, that he would work very hard to become very successful. This made me feel very blessed. However, people for other European countries feel very different. They see the US as a greedy place, with a bunch of fat people.

4. Do US citizens and foreigners talk about the upcoming presidential election?
The upcoming presidential election is not a huge topic, but it is discussed among the adults occasionaly.


5. I never ask on who one is voting for but is there a sense of who non-US citizens view as the best candidate?
The Ugandans clearly see Obama as the best candidate (mostly because his father is Kenyan), and none of my non-US friends ever talk about that, so I'll leave my parents to answer that furthur.

The Parents:

1. Has your overall mindset of the US changed at all by living overseas?
It is interesting how our own problems seem much smaller in the context of the problems that I see daily just living here. My job working with health issues in a poverty stricken country have also magnified this feeling.

Dad, "No."

2. Have you become more patriotic?
I have mixed feelings about the US. On the one hand, our government is providing critical funding for HIV related activities that are life-saving. On the other hand, with the money spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we could have vaccinated the world over with every available vaccine.

Dad, "No."

3. Have you had a chance to speak with foreigners about their overall view of the US?
Many of our friends are not Americans and, in general, I feel that they like Americans for their pioneering spirit, their ability to be frank and straightforward, and their genuine love of adventure and fun. The US economy and politics have such a commanding effect on other countries that they are worried about our policy both domestic and foreign.

Dad, "There is a combination of feelings-- some envy, some resent, some anger at war and 'bullying,' but most Ugandans think highly of the US because of all the goodwill towards them.

4. Do US citizens and foreigners talk about the upcoming presidential election?
We have also been following the election very closely over here. It is fun to see Barack Obama pins all over. I friend of mine was offered a "Kenyans for Obama" pin recently.

Dad, "Yes, they all talk about it, many with great insight into the issues; all want Obama."

5. I never ask on who one is voting for but is there a sense of who non-US citizens view as the best candidate?
Obama,Obama, Obama...
Dad, "Haven't found one person in Uganda who favors McCain."

Response to Aunt Eileen's Comment

Hi to everyone! Again I am really sorry about the lack of posts over the last month or so. The internet has been very unreliable, and high school is killing me!! (P.S. if you haven't noticed, there hasn't been pictures for a VERY LONG TIME, so I'm not the only one slacking off).
Okay, now that I'm through apologizing, I would like to thank Aunt Eileen and Uncle Dan for telling us what they would like me to post.
This post is responding to Aunt Eileen's comment. So, ISU is much different than the public schools in the US. However, it is much like the first school that I went to, Trinity. Both have very small amounts of students per class, and although there are many extracurriculars and school sports available, none are very organized or competitive. As far as the actual school goes, it's very hard to say which one is "harder". The curriculums differ in many ways. For example, math is much easier here, and there are almost no opportunities to excel in it. However, studying a foreign language (at my age that is either French or Spanish) is much harder, and a lot more work, because foreign language is moved at such a fast pace. Also, the curriculums are different, meaning that there are some things that my friends have never seen before that I know like the back of my hand, and vice-versa. Here we follow the MYP program from grades 6-10, and the GCSE program from 11-12.
I have told Matt that he should also respond to these questions, so expect a post from him soon!