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Mallori Baker
Professor Watkins
COMP II 1213
21 July 2017
America: The Great and Thriving

A survey from 2014 indicated that Americans were more likely to believe that hard work

pays off. When asked how important working hard is to creating a better future, on a scale of 0 to

10, 73% of Americans concluded that it was a 10, or very important (Gao). People believe that

America is the best place to express individuality and pursue their ambitions. Similarly, the

journey people take to make their ambitions come alive, showcases that the American Dream is

still prominent and thriving in peoples minds. What better place to embark on the journey to a

better life, than in a Country that not only encourages but has founded its values in the aspiring

goals people have set to achieve for themselves. Sure, America has had its flaws, but that has

never stopped the creative and determined minds of its citizens to utilize the provided resources

America has to offer for a well-rounded life. America is still among the worlds greatest

countries because of the individual ability to acquire knowledge from the best higher education

facilities, innovative and creative minds that reside here, and a quality of life that cannot be

found or provided by any other nation. These aspects of America are what entice people all over

the world to make America there home.

People worldwide, in the pursuit to receive superlative knowledge, flock to America so

they can utilize our esteemed universities. In a Forbes Magazine article, by Gary Shapiro, he says

that China sends [approximately] 160,000 of their youth to American schools. Our lower

education systems seem to be scrutinized, with math and science scores ranging low, but higher

education is one of the best. So why you might ask would one of the other major superpowers of
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the world, also having 4 times the population of America, send their youth to be educated here?

Well, it is due to the wide variety of knowledge taught, and our school systems are fast paced

where one can acquire a degree in 2-4 years. We have universities that teach either very specific

subject matter, like Harvard is associated with Law, or more generalized and broader majors that

can be acquired at regular Universities. Foreign countries like to send their youth to America for

knowledge because most university campus have very diverse populations. Take a look at

Oklahoma State for an example, we have one of the nations most diverse campuses, so we are

all getting a little taste of other cultures in the world in one atmosphere. Americas research

universities and scientific institutions are best in class, allowing the nation to focus its ingenuity

where its needed most (Bremmer). Americans have been awarded the most Nobel prizes, for

their ingenious minds in a broad range of subject matter.

American Education is not valuable because of the basics or rote learning it provides, but

because of the culture of innovation [it] imbue[s] (Shapiro). America is the leading country of

innovation. We are the front runners in out-of-the-box thinkers with: internet, entertainment,

technology, and research being the prominent forms of innovation. Some of the greatest minds

such as Steve Jobs, Michael Jackson, and F. Scott Fitzgerald have blossomed in America, due to

the freedom of self-expression. It is with this freedom of individualization that sets America

apart from other countries. The openness America has for individuality, leverages the unique

strengths people have to create positive ideas that will evolve and continue to showcase the

greatness of the country. Most people believe that technology is the future, and America has 8

out of the 9 largest tech companies in the world based on its soil (Bremmer). This means we are

quite literally standing on the future. America will continue to be one of the greatest countries in
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the world because America does not limit its peoples imagination. It provides the resources and

encouragement for those people to let their imaginations sore.

Americans have a quality of life that is much better than people living in different

countries around the world. Living in a developed and high functioning country, such as

America, means we are provided with proper sanitation facilities, good health care options, and

produce enough food that no one should ever go hungry. The majority of Americans are healthy

and happy. Research surveyor, George Gao, found out that Americans are more upbeat than

people of other wealthy nations. This is not a shocking find. While many countries are suffering

from starvation, unavailable vaccinations, and poor living conditions, Americans are thriving.

Free public education, vaccinations, and health clinics are prime examples of how fortunate

American are. Americans can spend their money however they want, whether it be ice cream, pet

costumes, amusement parks, or entertainment, there are endless examples of how Americans

lifestyles are much better than other places around the world. The poverty stricken and poor are

better off in the US than many other countries globally (Fallows).

To conclude, America certainly has its setbacks and the country is learning to deal with

the issues at hand, but all in all America is still one of the greatest countries in the world. It is the

third largest country and home to some of the most intelligent, innovative, and happiest people.

Citizens of America and foreign people alike, still aspire to achieve the American dream. Their

ambition and aspirations can be supported in America and with hard work and motivation

dreams can become a reality. America is home to the best higher education universities in the

world. People from all over come to learn at our Universities, to acquire the knowledge they

need to be successful in life. With the freedom of self-expression, individuality and creativity

continue to thrive in the lives of Americans. Americans are innovative and lead the race to the
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technological future. Overall, Americans have a better quality of life and live healthier lifestyles.

We are able to enjoy the little pleasures life gives us, and grow wherever we are planted. Being

able to call America home is a privilege and a responsibility. It is a privilege to have freedom

and a responsibility to lend a helping hand to someone in need, whether it be a neighbor or

another country. America will continue to thrive as the home of the free and the brave.
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Works Cited

Bremmer, Ian. "Forget China-the U.S. Is Still the Global Superpower." Time. Time, 28 May

2015. Web. 21 July 2017.

Fallows, James. "How America Can Rise Again." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 19

Feb. 2014. Web. 21 July 2017.

Gao, George. "How do Americans stand out from the rest of the world?" Pew Research Center.

Fact Tank, 12 Mar. 2015. Web. 21 July 2017.

Shapiro, Gary. "Is America the Greatest Country in the World?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 14

Aug. 2012. Web. 21 July 2017.