What I’m Grateful for This 4th of July as an American Living in Portugal

Five years ago, I never imagined living abroad, let alone being close to citizenship in another country.

Living in Lisbon, so much of my identity is tied to being American. It’s often the first thing I share when meeting someone new: “Hi, I’m Therese, I’m American, and I’ve been living in Lisbon for five years.”

This 4th of July, for the first time in years, I’m back in LA. I’ve been soaking up everything I love about being home, like eating breakfast burritos on the beach, walking along the boardwalk, and driving way too far to see friends.

After so much time living abroad, I feel more like an observer than a local. I’ve noticed how much we love our flag and how decorated we get for the 4th. I was also shocked by how expensive things are—$9 for a soft serve at a street festival!

While the USA isn’t perfect, I’ve been reflecting on what I appreciate most about American culture.

Here are seven things I’m grateful for as an American, especially now that I reside in Portugal:

1. Open-mindedness and Optimism:
   American culture is generally open-minded, optimistic, and entrepreneurial. We celebrate uniqueness and openly talk about mental health, reducing the stigma around seeing a mental health professional.
   

2. Kindness:
   Americans are genuinely kind. Shopkeepers, baristas, gas station attendants, and waiters are some of the most sincerely delightful people I’ve ever met. If you’ve ever spoken to a checker at Trader Joe’s, you know what I mean.
   

3. Healthy Self-Esteem:
   As a country, we have a healthy sense of self-esteem. We like having nice things, believe we deserve good things, and aren’t afraid to voice when something isn’t right.
   

4. American values:
   America is an idea that belongs to everyone. People of different cultures, faiths, and ways of life all belong to one nationality. The concepts of hard work, chasing dreams, seeking after a better life, equality, and diversity are things everyone can appreciate.
   

5. Creativity:
   Americans excel at embracing creativity. People around the world love American music, art, and fashion. Our companies have influenced how the world works.
   

6. Comforts of Home:
   Air conditioning and free ice water are little things I’ll always cherish. And, of course, breakfast burritos—there’s nothing more superior.
   

7. Resilience and Freedom:
   Portugal’s history of overcoming an oppressive dictatorship that lasted until the 70s has given me a deeper appreciation for the freedoms I sometimes take for granted as an American. The fact that we have the freedom to life live as we choose, speak our mind freely, and that this freedom came at a price is something that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Navigating what it means to be an American can be complicated and filled with mixed feelings. While the USA is far from perfect, the America I know is better than anything you might see in the news if you’re not from here. Living abroad has allowed me to let go of some traditions and expectations from home and embrace celebrating in my own way. Sometimes that means attending BBQs hosted by other expats, and other times it means not doing much to celebrate at all. And that’s okay! It’s about adapting and finding new ways to celebrate what it means to be American, even if it means swapping grilled burgers for grilled sardines.

Celebrating the 4th of July overseas has been a journey of adapting and finding new ways to honor my American roots. It’s not about replicating the exact celebrations from back home, but about embracing the spirit of the day in a way that fits my current life. I hope this encourages you to find your own unique ways to celebrate, no matter where you are in the world.

Thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear about your own experiences celebrating holidays abroad!