What It’s Like to Travel the World as an American

As a full-time backpacker from the United States who has traveled to over 30 countries and hundreds of cities, islands, and villages, I’ve encountered a mix of reactions, conversations, and stereotypes about being an American.

Some of these experiences have been extremely eye-opening, others more frustrating, and some just downright funny.

I’m incredibly grateful for growing up in the U.S., especially in Connecticut, where I had access to a super good education, privileges that many around the world don’t have, and the ability to travel freely to most places in the world with an American passport.

But traveling as an American, particularly in the backpacking community, comes with unique challenges—ones that I wasn’t aware of or warned about before setting off.

Growing up, my travels were mostly family vacations to well-touristed destinations, where Americans weren’t a rarity, and we didn’t interact much with other travelers.

But backpacking solo, staying in hostels, and engaging with people from all over the world has exposed me to the realities of how Americans are perceived abroad both negatively and positively.

If you’re planning to travel as an American or are just curious about the experience, here’s what you can expect.

The Classic Travel Question: “Where Are You From?”

One of the first things travelers ask each other is, “Where are you from?”—usually followed by, “Where did you just come from?” and “Where are you headed next?”

Every time I answer, I hesitate for a split second, debating how much detail to give. Saying “I’m from the U.S.” often leads to, “Where in the U.S.?”—and that’s when the funny conversations start.

If and when I say Connecticut, I usually get a complete blank stare. I then have to explain that it’s a state, next to New York, before they finally register that it’s part of the United States.

Sometimes I just say New York from the get-go, knowing it’ll save me the trouble of trying to explain the relative location of where I’m from.

This part isn’t frustrating—just amusing. But occasionally, I get an awkward “Oh…” in response, followed by a very noticeable shift in tone. It’s as if simply being American changes the way they perceive me and their level of interest in speaking with me.

The Stereotypes: “You Don’t Seem American!”

Many travelers expect Americans to fit a stereotype: loud, entitled, arrogant, unaware of the world, and obsessed with fast food. So when I meet people, I often get, “Oh, you don’t act American,” as if that’s supposed to be a compliment.

The assumptions usually come from American movies and TV shows, which dominate global media. I’ve been asked, “Do people really eat that much fast food?” “Are high school pep rallies actually a thing?” and other pop culture-inspired questions.

While I get that people are curious, the conversation sometimes shifts from curiosity to judgment.

There’s also a tendency for people to assume all Americans come from the same background and culture, even though the U.S. is massive and diverse.

What’s typical in California is completely different from life in the Midwest, and my experience growing up in Connecticut is nothing like the stereotypical “Spring Break” party culture often associated with Americans abroad.

The Judgmental Comments

One of the strangest things about traveling as an American is how frequently I’m criticized for things that are entirely out of my control. Some of the most common ones include:

• The metric system debate – “Why don’t you guys use meters and Celsius? That’s so dumb.”
• Drinking age laws – “Your drinking age is ridiculous.”
• Political rants – “What’s wrong with your government?”
• Gun laws – “Have you ever been in a school shooting?”

While some of these are valid questions, they’re often said in a way that feels less like curiosity and more like an attack. It’s frustrating to be held personally accountable for the decisions of an entire country, as if I personally chose the U.S.

measurement system or set the drinking age at 21.

The Reality of Being from a Country Everyone Watches

The U.S. is one of the most talked-about countries in the world. Whether through social media, the news, or Hollywood, people around the world have strong opinions about American politics, society, and culture.

Unfortunately, this means that as an American traveler, I’m often put in uncomfortable situations where people feel the need to lecture me, debate me, or challenge my views.

Here are some of the most common and frustrating experiences I’ve had: