By considering the views of those outside of your own country, you are often able to see just how much the actions of your government affect those from around the world. What better way to learn how other countries react to the American government and its values than to ask those visiting the Unites States—such as SF State exchange students who are concerned with many of the same issues as American youth.

[X]press sat down with a representative group of International students from the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and Australia to discuss their perspective on American democracy, culture, and media. Their responses were unanimous on many things, such as President Bush, the open-minded tolerance of San Francisco, the desire to vote democrat in 2008 (if they could), American’s lack of travel abroad and global warming as the single most pressing world issue today. Yet they disagree about their impressions of our country and how their own political views have changed since they arrived in the U.S.

Aimee Chanthadavong, 19, Australia - Journalism Major
“I thought America is a democratic and liberal, or fairly liberal, country, and I think San Francisco represents that. John Howard [Australia’s prime minister] is quite a big believer in what Bush has done, and especially with the Iraq war. Both countries, from what I’ve seen, can’t wait for Bush to leave, and likewise with Australian citizens back home with our Prime Minister. In our media, we make a mockery of [Howard] because no one really agrees with his perspective on the way the country should be run, and in general, I don’t think there’s enough news that doesn’t relate to America here. Americans are sheltered off and a bit ignorant about the world.”

Arthur Stobbelaar, 22, the Netherlands - Humanities Major
My country disapproves of Bush a lot. But still, I understand how Bush got elected. It doesn’t mean that I understand the people who voted for him, but I understand that the way democracies work now a days isn’t really what we initially thought. It’s not what most people want or what is best for the country. The democratic system has its flaws and if people don’t rise up, then not much is going to happen. In every democracy there is inequality in selecting who would be the best representative. The same thing is happening in Holland, and, I think, in every democracy in the world.”

Mads Mariegaard, 25, Denmark - Journalism Major
“There are some issues in American politics that I think are especially difficult to understand, for instance, the [U.S.] support for the death penalty and the fact that the U.S. doesn’t want to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. The low voter turnout may indicate that it’s not such a healthy democracy. There’s quite a strong movement of anti-Americanism in Denmark, mainly because of the Iraq war, but I think it is directed as much toward the Danish government as it is toward Americans. It’s hard for people to criticize Bush when their own prime minister supports almost everything he does.”

Marco Poggio, 22, Italy - Graphic Design Major
“I don’t think America is a big example of democracy, and I was never convinced of this illusion of bringing democracy around the world. I think Bush is a puppet. I don’t think the problem is him—he is just trying to solve problems and needs that are above him. The problem is not the person—Bush cannot serve as an escape—but perhaps a lack of values. American society is decadent and seems to be going into decline. It’s easier to get something, but also easier to lose it. I don’t think this system will change that much with another government in power. I think in order to change, Americans have to travel more, to feel it’s not enough to be by themselves.”

Charlotte Frost Andersen, 25, Denmark - Journalism Major
“I’ve got to say that my own view on politics in my country has actually changed since being here. I’ve found that I’ve become a bit more socialistic and that back home I was much more liberal. It doesn’t take very much for people to feel powerless. Talking with people here in America, it seems that they are not that interested in politics. They feel they can’t really change it and just give up, and that’s really sad. I do understand the whole thing about the American dream… you’ve been living it for too long.