How I see the US after living in Europe for 6 years (Ep. 05)

[@nathanieldrew]

If you enjoyed this video, you might enjoy my writing on Substack → nathanieldrew.substack.com/

[@patrickkramer5353]

the first 40 seconds show perfectly how brainwashed the usa is. smart people just laugh at that shit.

[@radosbarner]

I just want to say, your video really hit a nerve for me. I lived 5 years in the US, moved there when I was just a teenager. I continue to consider it the worst 5 years of my life, for various reasons I don't think are apt to post in a public comment section. I have since left. It took 2 years of hard work to finally get to where I am now, and the whole time one of the strongest motivators I had was "anything but the US." Despite this, a while ago I went back to the US to go see San Francisco for the first time. Seeing the redwoods, the bridge, the bay, I realised on that trip that the US is a big place and it has a lot to offer...similar to what this trip seems to have done for you to be honest. Despite my best efforts, I will never forget what the US did to me in the 5 years I was there. It was an experience I do not wish upon my worst enemy. Something about the US just makes you feel like an animal in line to a slaughter house. Even on my trip back, that impending sense of dread was there. Yet I am somewhat grateful in hindsight. Had it not been for those 5 years, I would not be where I am now, a place I can wake up every day, and see the beauty in, despite its imperfections. A place I can wake up every day, and see what I fought for for two years straight, and what I continue to fight to keep now.

[@ShafferN]

Grateful for your friendship bro. There’s a rusty bike and a cake pop waiting any time you feel like visiting again. 🙏

[@alexdiaz1492]

I gotta adopt this into my own lifestyle 🔥

[@elyset911]

Cake pops are great! Shaffer, you seem like a really good dude. ✌🏻

[@Nieveen05]

What is the name of the town in Colorado?

[@sicanady]

@@Nieveen05not gonna tell…. You gotta come find it for yourself! 😊

[@tanyasmiles]

New subscriber :)

[@jltrvls7443]

“Life can feel empty when you lack meaning, when you lack a mission, which means that wherever you go, you can get stuck.” This hit home for me. So much truth! Thank you for your inspiring, thought-provoking videos!

[@Staroy]

How to get unstuck if you still haven't found your purpose?

[@pablodonner5213]

If only someone had wrote a book about it, something like the alienation of the system or something like that

[@iraklimgeladze5223]

@@Staroy Nothing wrong to be stuck, just secure future and enjoy present

[@iraklimgeladze5223]

The most popular way to find meaning was a job, but now when for a company you're expendable, that meaning is dying.

[@ombrepourpre7562]

And when it's in your head you are stuck, you are in a bad bad place. You can't flee your own mind. Or at last not in a sane way.

[@marilynleslie472]

I think finding your community is what gives you your sense of purpose. It doesn’t matter where you live, it is having having people who get you. People who accept you and love you for who you are.

[@theparisdream]

💯

[@Dan-zc3ou]

And that's why cults are so popular and widespread in the US

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

​@@Dan-zc3ou"so widespread" lol

[@jeanlundi2141]

Lol do people even find that? Sounds like a pipe dream. Maybe not if you are a normie who has other normies to relate to.

[@BonzuPippinpaddleopsicopolis3.]

In this time of incredible fear, anger, division, and hatred in the US, this video jolts us out of the trance of hatred and pulls us into love, and beauty. I'm so stuck in that trance that all I could expect from this video title was a negative message. I did not expect this powerful direction. The video was so profound and masterful, and the message is so sorely welcome in a time like this. Thank you so much for this stunner of a piece. Commenting for the algo.

[@heleenpeeters3033]

😊😊😊😊😊z

[@konstancjakozak9935]

Almost every time I watch your videos, I feel that they touch my soul, sometimes so deeply that I find it hard to hold back tears. Even though I live in my home country all the time, I find a part of myself in your story. I recently moved back to my hometown, from which I really wanted to escape, but while gaining experience in other regions of the country, I always felt I didn't fit in there. After returning to my hometown in the country, I feel comfortable, although I find it difficult to find a common language with my peers who have never lived elsewhere. But more than the change of residence, I think it's about the approach to life and a certain open-mindedness. It won't be an exaggeration if I say that this year has changed me more than the last three years. And discovering this channel and your work this year has given me a lot, especially in my spiritual journey in search of myself (but also linguistically). If you're reading this Nataniel, I just wanted to thank you for creating (and I feel I appreciate it more strongly after a long absence). All the best to everyone who took the trouble to read this comment.

[@GaryM-algorth]

I can relate to everything you have written. Even as an older person after living elsewhere in the States I return to community of less than 750 people in upstate New York. I have never had the resources to travel out of the country though.

[@cecilia9364]

What a profound wonderful mini movie. The writing is so incredible, your thoughts and reflections are so real, so felt.

[@StudentoSan]

Headspace collab :)!

[@BendingPinkSteel]

I can confirm that everybody in America has complicated feelings about this place too.

[@NewEarthAwakening]

The “WKUK Pledge of Allegiance” video sums up so much about this country. 🤣 But at the same time, I realize through travels how extremely privileged I am to have been born here.

[@willdanger6833]

no

[@phiakate]

I don't believe that. I think there is a huge chunk who question nothing outside their bubble.

[@iloveowls90]

especially after recent events

[@willdanger6833]

@@iloveowls90 overdramatic

[@KristinaVlahovic]

Thank you. On a day like today, some of us need to see the beauty in the US again, and you truly helped. Glad the Third Culture Kid concept made it to you! Cheers from a fellow TCK.

[@pointdexclamation]

Very inspiring video! I was that little French kid stuck in a small village of France, went traveling for 4 years and came back only to realize how beautiful it had been all along, it resonated a lot with me:)

[@mirsadatalovic777]

💙

[@Hamtarotaro]

I was too a French little in the countryside eager to leave for the big city. I'm 43 today and I would never ever in my life reconsider living where I was as a kid. But as a lot of Europeans, I travelled a lot (you know the thing called paid leave) and now I differenciate between people and the government. When we hear about the US here, it's only violence, Trump, war, guns.

[@JM-vh7oc]

Your voice is so calming - I think you should have a spotify channel where you just tell hour long stories. Would love to go to sleep listening to your voice.

[@queens6583]

Yes, definitely he could get a job for audiobooks.

[@keshmeshnakhuutt9555]

Hahaha same, this is so on point !!!

[@christelwellekens9919]

Yeh that’s true - very beautiful ‘timbre’ as we call it in Belgium and France: it vibrates warmth soothing satisfying … well very agreeable 😊

[@ethansroka]

I immediately recognized Colorado, the place I have been my whole life. It is a beautiful place and it is easy to forget when you live surrounded by it each day. Small towns in Colorado are so peaceful and freeing, unlike the restrictiveness and redundancy of the city. I still love the city, and it is nice to be so close to the wild beauty

[@oxanapan]

Seems that the essential thing of a life journey is to stay curious. About world, people, nature, ourselves. So you can be in any age at any place but still have that feeling of awe that makes us alive. Thank you for sharing your pieces of that beautiful journey.

[@JB-eg1tb]

'I can be a valuable member of the community" 9:25. One person can really make a difference, either adding or subtracting something from their environment. He recognizes and accepts the realities of his circumstances and he also made a small decision to add value to his circle of influence. And yes, "there's something to love about every place no matter where we come from"

[@JonMartins]

Grass is always greener… You don’t need to live as the stereotyped American person just because you live in America. I’ve moved to Portugal almost three years ago, escaping Brazil, though I actually dreamed about North America. Now I know it’s not the place, it’s us. If you’re happy, you’ll probably be happy anywhere. Moving abroad is a very extreme choice when we have countries so diverse like ours.

[@detectivesingh]

Well said

[@JaNouWatIkVind]

Wherever you go, there you are.

[@cepheus1233]

Bro just dropped one of the greatest quotes

[@JaNouWatIkVind]

@@cepheus1233🤔🤷‍♀️

[@hannagoldbach]

amei

[@vanuflo]

As an Argentine-American who lived in Crested Butte for years and never felt a sense of belonging/found a community like Shaffer did in Gunnison, I am deeply thankful to have come across your YT channel a few months ago. I was brought to tears by this video. I miss CO, but I can finally say I’ve found a place that I can call ‘home’ here in the Italian Alps. Un abrazo desde Trentino-Alto Adige. Gracias por compartir tu sensibilidad con el mundo, Nathaniel 😊

[@pronounced_jah_knee7510]

I've been watching your videos for a few years now and this is the first time I'm commenting. I have my feeling as well about the states as an American. This was truly an eye opening video and I actually teared up. Thank you for this. Much appreciated

[@Zanagash]

I lived in Europe and I am now living in the USA. I have a job and a wife, but every year I am less and less impressed with the US. Of course the outdoors is AMAZING and I am lucky to be living in the Pacific Northwest. But I think I would love to someday live in the cute little village back in France.

[@fatherson5907]

Nothing stopping you from leaving. Why would you live somewhere and complain about it? Your music is absolute trash, by the way.

[@YvBernard]

Bonjour, on en a des centaines de jolis petits villages en France !

[@paulfinneran4244]

Go to a cute New England coastal town.

[@Methylglyoxal]

Hey, can you tell me how you're less and less impressed by the US? I feel extremely drawn to the natural beauty of the PNW, also feel like Americans are more cheerful than the gloomy Europeans. Kinda need reasons to stop my longing :Y

[@fatherson5907]

@@Methylglyoxal they’re a bigot. If you hate diversity, then the EU is better for you.

[@kathryndelacote7374]

Living in France for 25 years and living in the US for 25 years prior, gave me so much perspective. I see the positive and negative in both. You have to appreciate the good and not so good in countries. I think everyone, at some age in their life, should live in another country. It’s such an amazing experience. Thank you Drew, for the poetic words and insight in experiencing this first hand and being non biased on your reflections, just factual. Keep up your great work!

[@Jomtek]

France is much more racist than the US! Folks, don't go there if you're not white. Especially if you're Arabic. You're gonna get all the hate.

[@uritzontal]

There’s something special about seeing young people smiling and doing activities without screens around… It has a unique vibe. Thank you for the experience!

[@rand0municorns7]

Nathaniel, you are such a captivating storyteller and I love the cinematography in your videos. The connections you make are beautiful to explore and I really hope that, one day, our paths cross.

[@colbygrey9496]

I'm an American living in Belgium who resonates so much with your videos. I left the US frustrated with car dependency. But in my frustration, I lost sight of all of the natural beauty and American optimism and extroversion

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Yep. I lived in Belgium for 6 years (married to a local). There are good things about it, for sure, and NL too, but it ground me down. I miss some things but glad I'm back in America. I'll appreciate Europe more when I'm just visiting.

[@razorwireclouds5708]

Well, Belgium is pretty awful, dawg. But there's plenty of insanely beautiful nature in Europe. Travel to the Alps, go to the southern coasts or the northern black beaches, or the Carpathians in Romania - Cheile Bicazului are breathtaking.

[@Fdzzaigl]

I'm Belgian and I think the message of the video holds true for any place. We need to build community and create connection between people and nature. Often times we are pretty car centric here as well as isolating ourselves. But even in this tightly packed small country you do have amazing nature. Though yeah, you have to go out and find it.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

As a Belgian now based in Belgium who still travels a lot but who had already lived on three continents by the age of 16 I have to agree that no country is perfect and there is a lot to love about pretty much every country. Nathaniel states there is a lot wrong with the USA. Well, there is a lot wrong with every country, including Belgium. I guess it all hinges on what you can live with, what you are willing to do to contribute positively, about being conscious about your responsibility to make those contributions and making yourself accountable for the consequences of your choices and contributions (or lack thereof). A lot also hinges on trying to see the big picture. Being willing to see the beauty and the ugly parts. Thinking about what you’re willing to live, what you can do yourself. I think this trip helped Nathaniel to gain more perspective, to fall in love with a great aspect of his own country. That is utterly beautiful in itself. He still stands by his choice to live in France and why not? It doesn’t take away from his love for the USA. Transposed to myself, I am very conscious of a lot of the issues in Belgium. I still choose to live here, because at this point in time, in this stage of my life, it’s the best fit for me. That might change or it might not. Time will tell. And should I decide to move my permanent residence elsewhere, it wouldn’t take away my love for this weird little corner of Europe. It’s got utterly, breathtakingly beautiful places and amazing people. You just have to want to see it. Same as anywhere.

[@theinvestorssquad8752]

I'm an American living in Belgium as well and I can say America has it's problems like most countries but I find myself in a position to move back. I been living here for 3 years now and the people and mindset here is awful. Hard to make friends with locals and become part of a social circle whereas in America most are very open and optimistic and about making new friends. Most here have a depressed antisocial mindset in my opinion. I've found that there also isn't much to do here outside of nature walks and traveling within the EU. Food and activities are not as diverse.

[@N-A-uw5fp]

The journey isn’t where you are. The ultimate journey is an inward one. Anything that pushes our buttons is an opportunity to see ourselves and what we need to work on.

[@nathanieldrew]

I 100% agree.

[@jeanlundi2141]

Yawn. Implication being that if nothing pushes your buttons you have nothing to work on? People just reiterating what they read somewhere.

[@local_tomatillo]

As a traveler born in and living in the US, I feel near-persistent consternation about being here. Thank you for uplifting what is worth valuing about this country as someone living elsewhere. It's helpful. The comments too from folks around the world. What a beautiful community we are.

[@allthingsmarine]

Nathaniel, I've been following you for many years, and have always felt a strong, personal connection to the topics you explore on your channel. When you were learning French and moved to France, my home country, I felt it even more, but with this video, oh my, you couldn't have hit closer to home. I was that kid, growing up in a tiny French village, dreaming of faraway places and a different life. Now, many years later, I'm living in Australia, seeking small, peaceful places close to nature, much like the village where I grew up. When I return to my hometown, I often find myself wondering what I was trying to escape in the first place. Thank you so much for this beautiful and heartfelt video🙏💗

[@justinakirvaityte5974]

I've visited US only one time, including Colorado, and what stuck with the me the most was the vastness of space, and the beauty of the mountains. It's breathtaking. The whole experience was surreal. You think you know it from seeing it in movies, but still you feel like you just broke through the 4th wall. Cheers from Lithuania, and I hope you find peace. We're all trying to learn to cope with mundanity and learn to exist in our own realities. Through the years, I've been trying to push myself towards implementing changes - even if the slightest ones - in my routines. I think, it's great lesson from your friend that there's power in change and taking action. Getting a friend group together on Thursdays is awesome. Love that idea. Escapism is all fun, but you can't chase that feeling forever. It's not a long term solution. Improving your life to stop wanting to escape from it - that's the goal (at least for me).

[@dogbackwards33]

Spoken from a true Lithuanian. - Lithuanian sister from the ether

[@DiceDecides]

Teisingai rasai, ne begt nuo gyvenimo savo o tobulint save ir aplinkinius...

[@alisaalisa2060]

Wow, what a beautiful comment! Are you a writer?❤

[@carinaconte8723]

You couldn't have said it any better Justina. ❤

[@xiao-minli5018]

Like your comment, especially at the end. Good advise! Not everyone can afford this kind of escape and exploration. To most of the young people in the world, this is a very luxury thing to dream of.

[@theparisdream]

5:18 ...the "tendency to escape whatever makes you feel trapped" 🎯 You just summed up pretty much my whole life.

[@a_d_a_m]

I grew up in Colorado but left 10 years ago. I still miss the mountains very dearly (but that’s about all). Watching you experience them for the first time literally made me cry. So cool to see you experience something in real time for the first time like that. I’m glad someone was with you to record and guide you rather than you being distracted by having to do those things yourself. Great video! ❤

[@david.cr96]

That about being a community member resonates a lot with me. I moved to Colorado some years ago from a rural part of Spain, and I feel so isolated and lonely here. I feel I don't belong at all and I haven't managed to make friends (as there is not much to do here either, and I don't know how to climb or ski). It becomes a bit tough sometimes to feel so lonely and weak and unprepared for the world around you when you come from a culture where a strong support network and community was always present.

[@elsamatos2581]

Sending love, light and peace to the USA, to all people there!

[@IndieUpbeats]

You're such a thoughtful, beautiful being. This video is inspiring and well-made. Thank you for sharing your perspective.

[@funnypeople999]

Thank you for this one Nathaniel. I have been watching you for around two years now but this and the first one I ever watched have had the most impact and resonated well. I am really done with where I live in the UK and the country in general. I've had a lot of negative experiences growing up here and now 29, want to keep learning about myself as I am far from the finished product but everything and everyone constantly sticks to the past. I absolutely adore travelling, especially with the people you meet and experiences you have. This doesn't feel like before though, for a long time I've wanted to live somewhere else and I feel like I've outgrown everything or it just isn't me anymore. There are so many amazing places that I want to explore and cultures to learn from so I guess I will keep searching till I find my new home! Your content really captures the beauty of it with amazing narration and a nice well-made product. Thanks for inspiration. I do think we are quite similar so it is cool to learn from someone who went all in on 'finding themselves.'

[@JujuandLau]

I'm from the south-eastern part of the US, “the country”. Left for the big city for a decade to only realize where I wanted to be was back in the country, building a simple life, where my neighbors are solid people, have many skills and it almost feels separate from the rest of the world. Small towns like this in CO are what makes this country great. Your stories are great Nathaniel. Relatable across many cultures.

[@oskar6607]

I’m from Sweden and I’ve both lived in and travelled quite a bit in the US over the years. I have to agree with you that it’s the countryside and small towns which are the nicest in the US. As a European I really don’t find most of the biggest cities all that interesting.

[@aashisheapen8230]

"Satisfaction is the byproduct of action"

[@dionline88]

Freaking brilliant. From the narration to the cinematography, simply brilliant. Thank you.

[@emantaylor]

Damn bro. This is one of you best videos yet. Your story telling was excellent and I think you perfectly captured the feelings that so many people experience. Thank you as always for the inspiration and wonderful self expression.

[@kata5182]

I’ve been in Southern France now touring for the past two months and I love the people and their stories and how they live. Your videos are incredible and I love watching your journey ❤

[@andrelemes1278]

I used to watch your channel because of all the content where you were learning languages, and I stopped for a while. Coming back now made me realize how cool your videos still are, but there is something different. There's a feeling of coziness that is unbelievably great. Congrats!❤ Shout out from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@nathanieldrew]

Welcome back!

[@mustafabaris9681]

The American dream is to leave America ...

[@TravelinRosy2025]

America sucks

[@gabrielraw7979]

Which part of America? 😂😂😂 USA or other countries in America?? If the answer is from other countries then I agree...

[@soleilray86]

Damn friend. You're not wrong.

[@yu.niverse]

I don’t think it’s that simple. I’m leaving America, but with my american education and work experience, I will be well off at my new destination. The country I am going to suffers the greatest brain drain to America because American salaries are 2-4x higher. The grass is always greener. Our learned helplessness in our homeland is borne from our very first childhood experiences and we may never escape it if we stay where we are as adults. More perspective is necessary to fully understand where we come from, where we want to go, and what life has to offer no matter where we end up. But I know that one day, I won’t be able to run away from myself anymore.

[@MikeyPaper]

America is a great country.

[@Lilybet1316]

You sound wise like your dad and on a quest like your mom. This was a very good video 😊

[@caroborj]

Thank you for sharing this video!! Felt such a beautiful rush of emotion and peace

[@lgerbing74]

Your videos bring tears to my eyes they are always so beautiful and speak to my soul thanks dude

[@Baileywallace0124]

I really needed this video. And I know so many others did too. Thank you

[@fatherson5907]

Cry. 😂

[@MaryAnneDougoud]

I just moved to the South of France from Colorado. I am at the homesick mark, missing CO quite a bit. The vastness of the landscape and the beauty of those magical golden hours.. He is right it never looks the same. The light hits differently there. Thank you for this beautiful video ❤️🙏

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Hits different because of latitude.

[@SecondsOfAnOrdinaryLife]

America may not be as great as some, but we're also not as bad as others. Thank you for seeing America with mature eyes and for understanding that it's ok to have a complicated relationship with where you grew up. No one here will fault you for it, because you have the right, and the freedom, to voice anything you want, to express how you feel anyway you want. And for all of our faults here in the US, that's one thing I think we got right.

[@factsy7042]

As a Swedish person, I feel that the perception of America has changed significantly since the 90s. The romanticized image of the United States has faded, replaced by a more realistic view of the nation. America initially gained popularity largely through its powerful self-marketing via movies, TV shows, and music. The U.S. is exceptionally skilled at promoting itself. While America is undeniably innovative and has accomplished much, much of its popularity was built on the image projected by Hollywood. Today, with greater awareness, some people feel misled by this idealized version of the country. Every nation has strengths and weaknesses, and the true character of America is now more widely recognized. The strong patriotism and belief in American greatness often overshadow its flaws. Focusing on achievements like wealth, space exploration, and a dominant entertainment industry can sometimes mask deeper issues. When a country struggles to provide adequate care for all its citizens, these accomplishments lose some significance. America may have once seemed perfect on the surface, but there are visible cracks and problems beneath. People are becoming weary of loud claims of superiority when there’s still so much to address. It sometimes seems that Americans are influenced from a young age, pledging allegiance to a flag and believing their country to be the greatest. Judging a country’s greatness solely by certain metrics would imply, by similar standards, that Russia might be greater than Sweden-but I don’t think that’s true.

[@amberanderson528]

So we'll said. I hate America. It's such a hateful negative violent prejudice place. It's only decent if your rich straight white and cisgender.

[@DrBowen]

Have you been to the U.S.? If not your judgements don’t mean much.

[@mathiasfriman8927]

​@@DrBowenThank you for your patriotism 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@oskar6607]

I’m Swedish and 50 now but lived in the US as a teenager and have travelled there many times as an adult, both in business and on vacation. I don’t think I agree with you. There has always been a live hate relationship with American here in Europe with people on different parts of the spectrum of course. It’s not as if the US didn’t have homelessness and drug problems in the 80s or 90s or 00s or that Europeans weren’t aware of them. I’d rather say that compared to the 80s and 90s Americans are more aware of the rest of the world today. Americans travel more today and learn more about other countries through social media, just like we do here in Sweden.

[@DrBowen]

@@oskar6607yes I think social media has did the same even within the U.S., shattered its own patriotic illusions for example the George Floyd killing and the Black Lives Matter movement.

[@herrnerdmeyer3638]

Hey! Someone from Germany here and still, your words reflect what I'm feeling. I'd say it's even more than a feeling of being stuck. It's a feeling of living somewhere you don't belong, because the places weren't build by us or for us and aren't willing to compromise. But we lack the means to shape this place to our own vision. So we're left with adapting and basically shaping ourselves. If we find our place, our space to take action, our generation seems to thrive. There is hope, not in the country you came from, not in a pledge. But in yourself and the bonds you forge.

[@epicashley]

Honestly, you capture the experience of moving abroad so very well. I grew up in Canada, followed a boy to the UK at age 25, and now live here in France for the foreseeable future. It surprises people here that I don't love Canada, or I don't really wish to go build a life there, even with it's stunning landscapes and wild places there are elements of north american culture/politics that I can't really get behind. But after living in four countries I think this idea that you need to put in the effort to love where you live, that there isn't one home or one perfect place is really true, at least for me. Thank you for making the art you do!

[@nathanieldrew]

Exactly, I feel you. Thank you for the kind words!!

[@epicashley]

@@nathanieldrew And if you're ever hanging out in the Diois valley in the Drôme, give me a shout :)

[@bodilyc]

With your amazing and wonderful mother, thank God she raised a weirdo who seems much like her, creative and very special!!!!

[@adamcstuart]

After having lived in both Europe and various regions of the U.S., I feel like it’s the slow living, community, and priorities in Europe that are difficult to replicate here. Europeans on average value more time away from work both in terms of vacation and just stealing away for a long meal or a coffee on a terrace. They tend to prioritize or at least value margin and space. I enjoy my life in the U.S., but I often find I’m moving faster than I would like to be and less likely to reach out to friends because I know they’ve got a lot on their plates, too. I find myself craving simplicity, authenticity, space, and community as I wrestle through what it looks like apply what I learned in Europe here. Maybe it is as simple as a bike ride once a week? 🚲

[@av6070]

The line about life feeling empty when you lack meaning or have no mission hits hard for me personally. 29 and completely stuck in life. Depressed, very anxious about everything and completely lost in what I’m supposed to do and at the same time getting barely if not nothing in terms of joy out of life. It’s been like this ever since I was little. Thanks for the good videos. Always enjoy them a lot. Keep it up! :)

[@_eric_phillips]

Thanks for the beautiful shots of my community. You really captured it well. We’re lucky to have such quality humans as @ShafferN. And last time i was on gothic we dropped into it on snowboards from where you were standing 🤘

[@amyspeers8012]

I moved to France from Colorado-in the suburbs of Denver in 2017. I first moved to Rennes and I now live in a small village of 800 in SW. Making connections in my village made me fall in love with it. Thanks for showing me my home state. I do miss those mountains, tress and sun. Oh-I also used to make cakepops!

[@taxidermal]

why you moved in France? if its not too personal, for me i want to do the reverse, moving from france to Colorado

[@amyspeers8012]

@ my husband’s company offered us a two year contract and we decided to stay. I love m’y life here.

[@xtinalucia3684]

I left Chicago and am in a small village of 500 in The Netherlands. Hello there 👋. I also don’t miss much.

[@RoaldvdM]

​@@taxidermal samé here, from NL, +18 years in CZ. Now wanting to move to Colorado or Utah - the landscapes just draw me in.

[@ezbg]

@@xtinalucia3684what do you do ?

[@Alfablue227]

The USA is still a great country, and I am thankful for all it has given me. However, I left 6 years ago, and I am never going back. The isolation from the rest of the world, the mentality that the USA is the only country that matters, ignoring all others, the ignorance and absence of other news, other cultures, the crime, drugs, extreme individualism, competition, daily stress, political polarity, racism, imperialism, high cost of living, extreme nationalism... Is just too much for me. Still, Americans, or the vast majority, are very nice people, and yes, there are very positive things in the USA, but the negatives, at this time in my life, far outweighs the positive, and I don't see that changing during the rest of my lifetime. There, in the USA, you cannot afford to get a high end education, to stay healthy and/or alive, neither can you afford to have a funeral. I visit the USA periodically. I do miss the beauty of America, my family, and shopping (I DO miss that😂) but my life will end outside of America.... it's indeed a complicated relationship 😢

[@soulfulgardener]

I feel very similar, I left two years ago when I immigrated to Mexico. Some of my family and friends were angry, others thought I was doing something so dangerous because of the racist rhetoric the media portrays about Mexican and Hispanic people. The leadership in the US is self-serving and corrupt and I don’t want to live under that system.

[@noodle67]

I’ll always find it weird for people to comment on racism when they’ve never experienced it, and if I shall be so blunt, looking at your pfp you look white. So allow me to give my experiences with racism as someone with darker skin. In Europe there is a lot less racial disparity, especially so out side of the west, and because of this racism is quote on quote rare. Obviously when 98 percent of a country’s population is white there is going to little racism, and in turn less talk about it. Humans are naturally racist, and biased towards people who they look different from, we’ve seen this although-out history. Racism is rarely if ever a slur, instead it’s far more common for someone to be ousted, to become an outcast. Now, imagine if there’s no one to turn to, when the vast majority of Europeans are white this causes isolation, additionally, since your a rarity, people tend to create images of your race based on preconceptions of your people, regardless of if their good or bad, it’s never a good thing. Since there are barely any people of color people are rarely taught about the issues of racism, this leads to statistics like where 50 percent of black people in Europe say that they experience racism on a daily basis. TLDR: yes there’s less racism as there’s less racial diversity, but this leads to the needs of the few being ignored, further increasing the sentiment that racism isn’t an issue. Additionally, minorities have no one to turn to, probably being the reason why suicide rates for minorities in Europe is higher then their counterparts in the U.S.

[@Alfablue227]

@noodle67 Ever heard of reverse racism or xenophobia? What makes you think that just because I am not black I cannot mention the fact that racism affects me deeply?

[@kilianshatwell1027]

​@@noodle67 Europe definitely isn't 98% white. Neither is any one country in it

[@thejasminediaz]

​@@Alfablue227 There's no such thing as reverse racism. But you made good points in your OP

[@jovinjak8150]

I love the cinematic feeling of your videos, this has truly been amazing and I feel like it came in the right moment for me. Thank you !

[@DylanParisMusic]

I’m in France for the first time in my life, about to head back to the US after a month in Europe. I’ve struggled with similar feelings about the US for most of my life, and this experience in Europe will definitely reinforce and change some of those feelings. As always, thank you for sharing your experience, I really love this series.

[@darkwoodmovies]

How is France? I only ever went through the airport in Paris and had just the worst vibes from the people there.

[@oui359]

​​@@darkwoodmoviesAre you comparing the airport with the countryside ? Cmon..

[@darkwoodmovies]

@@oui359 That's literally why I asked. Cmon...

[@DylanParisMusic]

@@darkwoodmovies Paris was the greatest place I've ever been in my life to be honest. It felt truly magical. I made sure to do some research on manners and making sure to greet people with Bonjour or Bonsoir. I also studied French in high school and college. My French is not very good but basically everyone I talked to seemed really happy I was following customs and using the language even if I have a limited vocabulary. I had multiple amazing moments and conversations and I miss it so much.

[@antoniaaltenkamp4879]

This might totally end up drowning in the extensive comment section but I just have something to share related to this. Your videos have helped me a lot during my teenage soul-searching phase. They were one of the influences that encouraged me to explore my sensitive, curious and contemplative identity when my lack of popularity often made it seem to me as though there was something wrong with me fundamentally. I find this piece highly insightful and relatable. After having been in a rush to finally move out of Germany throughout the last years of high school, I spent seven months in France as an au pair and it made me extremely happy. I'm back in Berlin now for my studies and honestly still unclear about whether I want to stay, still not quite feeling like I belong here, until I graduate or transfer to a French university as soon as I can. I am taking my time to figure it out. You continue to be a role model and an inspiration to me. Thank you for having turned this corner of the internet into this beautiful place to exchange ideas. And I have a book tip for people also curious about life (and humans honestly): '21 lessons for the 21st century' by Yuval Noah Harari It offers a profound scientific look at the search for meaning and the way we humans operate. Highly thought-provoking

[@cindyo2024]

Love you Nathaniel! Your storytelling has helped me start my own, hope our paths cross some day.

[@cephinisemodestin3348]

What a great video! I think that relationships in any regard, be it with another person, a place, or anything else, have layers to them, and I feel like you showed the layers and complexities of your relationship with America so beautifully. I'm so grateful to live in a period of time where I get to hear and experience the life stories of cool people like you. Thanks for sharing.

[@desertdweller8520]

I lived in the southwest for over 30 years. I now live abroad and still miss the landscapes like the ones you filmed.

[@Triplemother]

This video was so beautifully made but Shaffer’s words rang clear in my heart as a person also struggling living in a small town

[@graciewestphal7898]

I'm also from a small town in Colorado, and the wilderness has captivated me since my childhood. In one way, I absolutely love it here. I love that so much of my family is here, and so many great friends, and so much emptiness. It's amazing. But each year it becomes more and more clear that we are collecting more and more people, the traffic is getting worse, the price of living here is skyrocketing, and we are ultimately losing the heart of what it means to be from here. I also have always had a hard time thinking about the government. I don't want to have to leave this place, but do I really want to continue living under this government? With this culture (if you can call it that)? OMG I just recognized where you are! That 's Gunnison right? And probably also Crested Butte? I live pretty close to those areas, I was actually thinking of going to college there.

[@chriscarrion8018]

I'm reading this as I research a possible move from Florida to Colorado! I feel bad about adding to the growing population there, but I can definitely relate. I moved from Miami to a small rural town in Florida to escape the hustle and bustle, but within two years, the area has noticeably grown louder with more people moving in. The world is only getting more crowded, so I suppose isolation is fleeting. If that’s the case, I might as well settle somewhere beautiful, like the mountains of Colorado!

[@AndreaJump]

Man this is huge. Thank you so much for sharing a part of your story. Lot to learn about it. Love from Italy

[@shannon2003]

I love the mountains more than anything else. I lived in a mountainous area in Mexico . Unfortunately, I had serious breathing issues and sadly had to leave the mountains. Wonderful video, Nathaniel.

[@enrava]

Hi Nathaniel! Thank you for the video. I love your style of making video, the storytelling and your voice is very relaxing. I have been watching your video since a long time ago and I've always appreciated your job! That video makes me reflect about my personal life and I want to share my thoughts with you all. I'm an Italian girl in my 20s, currently I'm in the Netherland for studying. I travelled a lot for discovering new culture, lifestyle, food and find new opportunities. Every time I go back home I feel so grateful to be raised and born there even though I thought to never go back there because of its obvious internal problems. Going abroad is an opportunity to see the beauty of what we already have at home and don't take from granted the place where we were born

[@sebmeyer2151]

I've never felt at home (in a rich, well off country). I relate to you, Nathan, because me not belonging made me dislike my home country and its residents. Currently learning the hard way that the saying "wherever you go, there you are" is truer than I wanted it to be. Shaffer is doing the right thing because he's contributing to others and he creates a community feeling. This is the secret to achieve happiness, to achieve a sense of belonging. Currently trying to become unstuck. Thank you for this video from the bottom of my heart!

[@juliest.a8914]

That was a great one Nathan ! Really touching and the important reminder to look for appreciable stuff meaningful. I'm replaying it right away to make it sink in even deeper ! Tx

[@diazjulianms]

As Indonesian I can totally relate to this 0:40, we have to attend a whole ceremony of the flag every MONDAY FOR THE REST OF SCHOOL YEARS, we did it since first grade of school until end of high school, the ceremony lasted for 30-50 minutes and we have to stand during that period no sitting at all

[@soulfulgardener]

Regardless of what country, pledging allegiance is indoctrination

[@gullintanni]

Both states are totalitarian so this is very common behaviour and a known brainwashing technique to stop people thinking for themselves and forming their own opinions. It’s a way to take away your freedom without you noticing.

[@alessandroscaramelli]

This is one of the most beautiful videos I ever seen on KZbin. The storytelling fits just perfectly with the video and the editing. I discovered your channel a few years ago when I came across the "I learned italian in 7 days" video. You're such an inspiration man, keep up the great work! Greetings from Italy

[@nathanieldrew]

Wow, thank you!

[@lorrilewis2178]

I left a big metro area to move to a small southern Appalachian town over 20 years ago. Our scenery is absolutely gorgeous. I lived in a community on a mountain lake for some years and hope to again. I have no plans to leave the region because I'm not willing to trade the beauty and quiet for more shopping and restaurants, though we still have some nice options and we can drive to larger areas (I rarely do). My sister and niece recently visited this place for the first time and seeing the beauty of the lakes, waterfalls, and mountains through their eyes was something. Our area was just missed by Hurricane Hellene, but in the areas it hit severely, you can watch KZbin videos of people helping other people and proving that underneath our differences, we come together. As we go into election day with all the drama that will unfold, I will think of the bravery and selflessness I've seen after the hurricane and hope that the future of the U.S. will look more like that. We have a long way to go and I'm sure we're in for a hell of a ride in the meantime.

[@nina80808]

Wow, you posted this at the perfect time for me -- my husband and I are about to return to the U.S. for at least 6 months after 3+ years abroad, and we've been having some of the exact same realizations lately. I grew up in a tiny town in the U.S. where 95% of the jobs are in the service sector and felt like I had to claw my way out to get a university degree and have a shot at getting a decent job/living anywhere else. I've loved my time abroad thus far, but have felt so homesick lately for the gorgeous nature, solitude, and slow living of my hometown. There's still things that make me hesitant to move back to the U.S. long-term, like the health care system, but at the same time I can now more easily picture myself back in America or literally anywhere rather than having such a narrow definition of where I felt I could "belong" when I entered adulthood and started my living abroad journey at 21. It's actually kind of scary to me now that I have so many options and can be happy anywhere because then I have to choose between a million good choices haha -- but at the same time, I wouldn't want it any other way. The world is so gorgeous, people are so kind, and life is so beautiful, no matter where you live. Thank you for this lovely video (and the mountain shots are incredible)!

[@annastayziaa]

I've been living abroad for over 3 years as an American and I totally relate to this video 🥹 you're not alone!

[@gabesassoon2854]

Mate I’ve been watching you for a few years. Your videos are superb… the amount of work that clearly goes into each of them, and the pride you take making each of them into a real short film.. just impressive and humbling. Please keep it coming - I’ll be watching you on both my KZbin accounts!

[@nathanieldrew]

Thank you for the kind words Gabe, that really means a lot!!

[@coolbreeze5683]

The Earth is the gift that keeps on giving. There are natural places all over the world that offer beauty. It's about if we're open to perceiving and acknowledging the beauty.

[@ElenaTaber]

This is so well done Nathaniel!👏🏻

[@_BradSki_]

When I was 16 I did a two week tour of the north eastern United States, including Québec, Montréal and Toronto. I have to say I was absolutely blown away by its natural beauty. Growing up in Australia, everything I knew about America came from movies, NY and LA. But after spending hours in a bus each day driving across the countryside, I saw a side of America I didn't even know existed. A country rich in natural beauty 🏞

[@keetykeetymeowmeow]

Your video was incredibly inspiring. I am much older than you, but I can relate to a lot of what you shared, especially the parts about feeling like you didn't belong to your birthplace and feeling stuck. I believe there are some people who are happy to stand in one place, but there are others who need to roam. It's in our nature. We are explorers! I am a 54 year-old Californian. Dare I say, my state is one of the most diverse and unbelievably beautiful states in the union. I was born in Humboldt (northern California), where the forests, in spite of drought, rain, and infestations, still offers a primordial feeling. While I grew up in the beautiful town of Arcata, I spent my childhood looking through National Geographic magazines, Knowing there was a big world out there that I needed to explore. Like you, I always understood that I didn't belong to any one city, county, state, or country. I have always been a child of the world. As a child, I knew that life was too short and I had to get going to see what there is to see. There are so many beautiful places, interesting people, cultures and history to witness: National Geographic only offers a window. Through my life I took every opportunity I could to visit other countries. Before finishing college in Humboldt, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. I also lived in Southern California, but zipped right back up to the Bay Area. Southern California has its own kind of and is interesting, but it's not my kind of place. By the time I entered my late 30s, I realized I was running out of time to see what I wanted to see. I was caught up in the corporate world, so I got a loan and I bought a modest house with a modest mortgage. My plan was to rent out the house and live aborad. This property could be something I could return to when I was old, or sell in order to live elsewhere in my old age. Well, I encountered a few obstacles: After 10 years of mortgage payments, I lost my home in the Great Recession and had an unplanned baby. We became homeless after being laid off from my corporate job. In essence, had to start over with a baby at the age of 40. And so I got to work. I saved every last penny, worked some pretty toxic jobs, was subjected to the United States' welfare system, witnessed Donald Trump being elected into office, survived Covid, barely, experienced what the United States healthcare system is like when you're really sick, started really digging deeply into the social issues I saw on the surface -- essentially the results of decades worth of systemic poverty and the abuse of middle-class American workers, etc., etc. My self-education opened my eyes wide. The Covid pandemic really revealed a lot of things to me that I had suspected but not paid close attention to, so I got involved in community work, helped run political campaigns and read a lot -- to the point where I realized the United States is kind of fucked. During this time, I never stopped scrimping and saving. I worked for a small newspaper owned (squeezed) by a hedge fund and whose management team was so toxic, I needed a therapist to get through it. But I never, ever, lost sight on my goal which was to move away from this clusterfuck. 8 months ago, my daughter and I, who is now a teenager, moved to Spain. We moved here because the country is neutral, the cost of living is lower, and the social values better aline with ours. I want my daughter to experience life outside the U.S. too. I do not want my child to ever sit through another mass shooting exercise at school. I do not want to worry about her being a victim of violent crime. I do not want her to be exposed to drugs like fentanyl, or people who are suffering from the substance abuse disorder and who are cast aside. I don't want her to think that it's normal for a working family to live in their car. I don't want her to lose her life or home because she has a chronic disease. I don't want her to be subjected to xenophobia, white supremacism, extreme Christian ideology, racism and bigotry. I don't want her to see her mother working one more day in the corporate factory machine. I don't want her to think that life is made up of moments of survival. I don't want her to leave college with debt. These are all products of an overactive capitalistic society and warped culture. And coming up, Americans will get to directly experience fascism for the first time. You can't possibly recognize what you don't know. I realize that there are ways around these obstacles in the United States (including living at high altitudes in the beautiful Rockies and choosing what you want life to be), but for me, these intense systemic issues in the US made me feel like I was living on the edge of something dangerous. I want my daughter to have a sense of culture and place in this world. I want her to have equitable access to opportunity and purpose. What I have really learned from living here, is that sometimes you need distance to appreciate the things that are good. ("Distance makes the heart...") There are many things that the United States does well! We just lived through a massive flooding event in Spain, where the government failed to properly manage it. I think back to the many natural disasters we experienced in California and while management and people are never perfect, Californian's emergency response and immobilization to help people and to reduce suffering, death and property damage is something that the United States is good at. The US, corruption and inequality aside, is still an amazing innovator of medical science. Somehow. There are other countries that are equally good at this, but the US pumps a lot of money into inventing things. And while standards fall short, it's some of the best we've got in the world. The United States is also more efficiently run in many ways. I laugh at this, because I can name many things that are imperfect in this area, but when you move to another country, you realize how focused on efficiency the US is. Sadly, it is usually connected to profitability there, but still...it is a luxury. My state of California is a gorgeous thing and we do miss it in spite of it being beaten up by climate change and humanity. We miss the diversity of food. California is a breadbasket indeed. We missed the diversity of our state. And our Latino neighbors. We miss fog. We miss the topography. But these trade-offs have meant that my daughter and I will have a better chance of living, really living -- and on our terms. We no longer need a car which is better for the environment. My girl can walk all over by herself and never feel threatened. Spanish people hold hands, hug each other, and meet for coffee. They'd rather do those than work. And I don't blame them. So the country is less efficient, but people live longer here and are more satisfied and healthy. I like being exposed to that. Our health here is not measured in terms of GDP. My worth worth is not attributed to my productivity. And my status is not associated with things here. In Spain, there's a deeper sense and honor of history, even if it's a bloody, mixed up one. Here, people remember. And that's important to me. It's important to look back and to remember. I am 54 and I'm interested most in catching up with my dream to see more of the world and to enjoy the contrasts. I don't have as much time left, so I'm hurrying up. I would love to return to my home country one day, because I know that I will appreciate many of the things about it even more. Sadly, I believe the US will continue to decay but someday, maybe in a few decades, things will improve. Hopefully there'll still be forests and mountains to climb.

[@nathanieldrew]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@keetykeetymeowmeow]

@@nathanieldrew Keep inspiring! ❤️

[@GorgieClarissa]

Pledging my allegiance to a freaking flag at the age of 6...... still boils my blood to this day. I even remember in high school, a girl didn't want to stand for the pledge of alligence and I thought ''wow, she is so stupid'' and now I look back at that distant memory and think 'wow... I was the stupid one'

[@huntstyle]

They brainwashed us from day 1!

[@juanmejiagomez5514]

You weren’t stupid, you were just 6 She for sure was brave though

[@callthatwhatyouwant]

That was in highschool, not at 6 as they said ​@@juanmejiagomez5514

[@JaNouWatIkVind]

Why would a country force people to do something so totalitarian? Except, you know, like, Russia. Or China.

[@veevoir]

It's something that countries in Europe stopped doing after WWII. It reeks of conditioning of children into nationalism. We had a country that made children pledge allegiance to their Reich - and this is the connotation many of us have hearing someone makes children do this still somewhere in the world

[@zralokvemigraci]

This was so touching and heartwarming! It was totally different from what I expected to see and hear, and I loved it, it made me feel so many amazing things. You are really talented, it truly felt like being there :)

[@mastandstars]

Your work is exquisite Nathaniel

[@FredericRAUCH-u1e]

Very inspiring video in its subtil approach of places, countries, people. The more you travel the less you focus on the place itself and more on the people that live there. This is what life has teached me so far after having been in almost 60 countries of all continents. What you say resonates strongly with my own experience. Thanks for taking time sharing this with us

[@marwaeldiwiny]

Nathaniel! This video brought tears to my eyes! I can relate

[@stefankambs7538]

One of the best videos i have seen. Thanks for the inspiration and honesty and feelings

[@theparisdream]

10:05 "... satisfaction is...a byproduct of action..." 🤯🤯 I believe this! So simple and incrementally doable.

[@thehungrytaurus]

I really enjoy the way you are sharing your perspectives and personal experiences on this channel. It has something about it that really gets to me. Maybe the peaceful, introspective - almost philosophical nature of it. High quality stuff Nathaniel. I appreciate your work a lot. Thank you.

[@nathanieldrew]

Thank you, that means a lot!!

[@marym.garcia4147]

Generally, gleaning what is best about each country whether, lived in or visited, strikes more of an emotional balance rather than exalting one country over another.

[@julienandross]

i clicked on this video not expecting to watch the entire thing rn but your 2 minute lead effortlessly pulled me in. youre about to get the full 17 minutes and 56 seconds outta me lol, great job constructing the introductory segment!

[@nathanieldrew]

Thank you!! 🙏🏼

[@jennyshufutinskaya6873]

Thank you for this video. It comes during a time of depression and hopelessness after this election. But this video really served as a reminder that you choose what you focus on, so focus on what you love and what you want ❤ love your videos and explorations and appreciate this especially today

[@jasonbeedon9867]

It’s good to have a chance to leave America. I lived in Asia for 11 years. I love Asia. However, living abroad allowed me to greatly appreciate America. It’s not a perfect place, but it is an amazing place.

[@resist1581]

I didnt really start appreciating this countries beauty till i started visiting Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, upstate New York.

[@Scholar_Nation]

I’m from small town Utah, but this video captures the solace and catharsis that the desert offered me. Funnily enough, I’m moving to Europe now, Austria to be specific, but this was a lovely, gentle reminder of what good my time in the US has given me. Thank you :)

[@jeffafa3096]

As a European (Netherlands), I have always admired the landscape in the US. But I don't admire the legislations, the politics, the car-centric way of living and the racial biases that are very prominent throughout the states. Your country might have a wonderful nature, but so does Russia...

[@LauraLudens]

Eens!

[@maksimfedoryak]

Irony is, that all mentioned downsides of US are represented in russia too(except car-centric way, because there are no roads for cars)

[@EL-ub2df]

​​@@maksimfedoryakoh, well...the education is much more affordable in Russia. The medical care is more accessible and affordable too. The quality of food is higher in comparison to the US. The quality of housing, the aesthetic of cafes/restaurants, workers rights in Russia. I can go on and on.... Yes, there are still certain weaknesses in the aspects which I've just mentioned about Russia, but they are still better in comparison to the US.

[@maksimfedoryak]

@@EL-ub2df there is aspect of totalitarian government and sanctions, that highly restrict your prospectives. Also there is factor of "bespredel", which can be translated as "lawlessness", but on every aspect of personal and formal interaction, some kind of ultimate form of legal nihilism. Ah and you are trapped into strict constructs of traditional values, which are defined by, i remind, totalitarian government. Long story shot, Russia may be described as "white christian iran"

[@EL-ub2df]

@@maksimfedoryak I am not trapped into anything. Remember there are differences between the official discourse and the real life experiences. As for the lawlessness, have you ever been in downtown area of any big city in the US? If not, you'd be surprised with the high rates of crime (shootings, broken cars, robberies, etc). Are you from Russia or the US? If not, your opinions might be based on inaccurate/stereotypical views.

[@huanglyla4149]

Thanks for the video! It really resonates with me despite being in a completely different context and country (especially the part about not being understood). Community and connection is really the key to human happiness!

[@NathanaelCincala]

"Byproduct of action: I started liking it here when I decided to try to like it here." This phrase hit hard!

[@sarahela6009]

I recognize myself in the weirdo you describe, it is such a lovely and true way to explain this feeling, thanks you for finding and sharing these words!

[@THFrenchteacher]

Once I studied abroad, I have never seen the US the same. I never felt like I “fit in” here. I feel that stronger today than ever. 😢

[@fionamorgan7077]

I've been trying to put this into words for the last couple weeks. Thanks for sharing

[@timgallion162]

American is the space between the coasts. Most of America is rural and small towns - asphalt is not the norm for most of the U.S.

[@sergiboschraga2416]

Amazing video man, every freaking video that appeared was a masterpiece worth a movie, and also your voice, narration and word choice was perfect to match the vibe of the videos in the background. I'm from Spain and i guarantee that every human in the world has this feeling of questioning your environment (and maybe idealizing what we don't have) that's a good reason to stop from time to time to appreciate what we do have and be greatful.

[@BuzzingAroundTheWorld]

Your creativity is inspiring, Nathaniel. I'm extremely grateful I came across your channel over 4 years ago. Wish you joy and fulfillment 🧡