Since boyhood, Ronald Reagan answered to the nickname “Dutch.” Legend has it that as a newborn child, Reagan’s father took a look at him and said, “He looks like a fat little Dutchman. But who knows, he might grow up to be president some day.”

Happy President’s Day, Dutch!

So here I am in the Netherlands, named Reagan and living among the Dutch. These uncanny parallels make me feel close to home, and proud of my country.

Since arriving in Maastricht I have asked and responded to an unprecedented number of culture sharing questions. Everything from eating celery with peanut butter to the mention of universal healthcare sparks cultural discussions. My floor eats dinner together nearly every night. Sitting around the table are students from America, Brazil, Israel, China, Austria, Singapore, Spain, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. Last weekend I took a multi-stop train tour of the Netherlands with new friends from Bulgaria, Italy, Finland and Norway. My classes are full of students representing over 32 countries.

I’ve learned much from my international peers, and I hope that I’ve taught them something also. Culture sharing sparks a special sense of patriotism. When I get to talk about America, I light up. Everyone does when asked about their country. Leaving my country for an extended period of time has created a new sense of patriotism and pride about belonging to the United States of America. At home, I often view my great country through a filter of partisan politics and political turmoil. Around the dinner table with friends who have never visited my country, I see the stars and stripes in its truest form –  with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is a huge focus on how much wrong is in our country, but abroad I like to talk about all the right that we have going on. Our Founding Fathers created a strong foundation for our nation, and I can not be happier to call America my home.

One of my unofficial goals while abroad is to act as a good example of America. A disheartening stereotype of my country, that is depressingly accurate, is how ignorant Americans are towards other countries and cultures. I’ve been doing individual reading and research about my friends’ home nation’s politics, history and culture. This is helping me to ask more thoughtful questions, and hopefully showing them that Americans are fascinated by and appreciate foreign nations.

Studying abroad is an opportunity to break stereotypes – both stereotypes about you and your home nation as well as indirect stereotypes you believe about other countries. Education and awareness are key to ending international conflict, and building a strong and united world. The conversations I’m having here are a microcosm of the conversations that global leaders need to be having. Cross-cultural awareness and appreciation for all people is the key to establishing international peace and cooperation.