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Ten years ago, I left the United States to teach overseas. Since then, I have lived in five different countries and traveled to numerous others. I am often asked if living abroad is dangerous. It strikes me, however, that in all these years, I have never been verbally harassed or assaulted due to my place of birth.
Additionally, no one has ever yelled at me to go back to my own country. On the contrary, the hospitality I have received while abroad has been overwhelming. I have been helped countless times by strangers, many of whom felt it was their duty to assist foreigners. They were, after all, representing their country and culture. We, as Americans, should feel the same duty. Sadly, it seems that many in my country feel differently.