International soccer fans have been flocking to the United States to catch the World Cup, and along the way, they’ve encountered some quintessential American experiences, from trying Raising Cane’s chicken to exploring a Buc-ee’s travel plaza, which offers a distinct shopping experience.
These tourists have come from all over the world, including Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, and many have been surprised by the warm welcome they’ve received from Americans, who are eager to share their culture.
Despite initial expectations of a politically fractured country, many visitors have found that Americans are friendly and eager to engage with them, whether it’s through conversations with Uber drivers or invitations to join locals for a home-cooked meal.
Sebastian Reader, a 28-year-old from London, has been traveling across the United States for the World Cup and has experienced this hospitality firsthand, from being shown a local’s truck in Dallas to being invited to a front porch gathering in Arkansas.
Related: Taiwan Must Share Responsibility for Collective Defense, President Says
That felt like a proper American experience in Dallas, Reader said, describing the encounter as a highlight of his trip.
Many tourists have reported that their experiences in the United States have challenged their preconceptions about the country, which were often shaped by news coverage and social media.
Victoria Phillips-Hunter, a 34-year-old from Carlisle, England, had been nervous about visiting the United States due to videos she had seen on social media, but her experience was overwhelmingly positive, and she now wants to plan a longer trip in the future.
Her time in the United States has made her realize that the media often portrays a biased view of the country, and she is grateful for the opportunity to experience it firsthand.
Some tourists, like Harry Gunns, a 30-year-old from London, believe that the media often portrays Americans as being divisive and unwelcoming, but his experiences have shown him that this is not the case, and they are actually very welcoming and eager to engage with visitors.
Related: Brazilian Butt Lift in Turkey
Instead, he found that Americans were eager to share their culture and learn about his, and he was impressed by their hospitality.
As these tourists prepare to leave the United States and return home, they will take with them a new perspective on the country, one that challenges the clichés and stereotypes they may have held before, and they will likely share their positive experiences with others.
For Rafal Kolankowski, a Polish native who now coaches soccer in Pittsburgh, the United States is a country that is often misunderstood by outsiders.
The World Cup has brought people from all over the world to the United States, and in doing so, has provided a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding, which will likely have a lasting impact on the tourists and the country as a whole.