Since this wasn’t apparent the last time I asked… no, I’m actually not a US citizen or green card holder (permanent resident). Just happened to be in this country for a long time due to career reasons.

  • Nalivai@lemmy.world
    23·
    5 days ago

    First, get a [removed by mod], make sure it’s [removed by mod], then [removed by mod] right in the [removed by mod]

      • enthusiasticamoeba@lemmy.ml
        6·
        5 days ago

        Libraries with access to the enormous amount of English language content are usually only found in English speaking countries, though.

        Good luck finding more than a few books on niche topics in, say, Dutch (ask me how I know).

        I deeply regret not hanging onto my US library card.

      • MehBlah@lemmy.worldEnglish
        5·
        5 days ago

        Mine are 95 percent county funded in a blue zone. State is already trying to lay down the law only to discover they don’t give much in the way of funds. No bucks no leverage. Only law they passed got overturned.

  • acchariya@lemmy.world
    512·
    5 days ago

    Get an FBI background check, and get it apostilled. Easy to do from your local post office in the US, difficult and expensive to do outside the us, and you will need it for many things you might want to do in other countries

      • acchariya@lemmy.world
        1·
        4 days ago

        Actually the only time I’ve ever needed one is outside of the country. You need a police report from anywhere you lived for more than six months to apply for residencies, get teaching jobs, etc etc. the only authority in the US that can do this and provide a report acceptable outside the country is the FBI.

      • amino@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        3·
        4 days ago

        you need it if you apply for citizenship in some countries. they’ll ask for full criminal records of all the countries you’ve lived in.

  • karpintero@lemmy.world
    114·
    6 days ago

    Visit some of the National Parks, aka America’s best idea.

    Some amazing ones (they’re all amazing, tbh) in no particular order:

    • Yosemite
    • Arches / Canyonlands (close to each other)
    • Yellowstone
    • Grand Tetons
    • Glacier
    • Denali
    • Olympic
    • neo2478@sh.itjust.works
      810·
      5 days ago

      Plenty of countries have national parks btw. Many of them had them before America. While the American ones are indeed geographically amazing, I am tired of thinUS exceptionalism that the US is the only country that has national parks.

      • PieMePlenty@lemmy.world
        10·
        5 days ago

        While many (if not most) countries have national parks, the policies surrounding them are different. A simple thing like camping is often restricted in European parks, mixed land use is allowed so you are more removed from pure non human nature. As a result, the experience of visiting one may be vastly different - depending on what you are doing. American national parks are exceptional not because they are the only country that has them - which isnt true as you pointed out, they are exceptional because of the governing policies surrounding them.

        I’d surely visit one, before I left, because the experience isnt going to be the same in any other.

        • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          3·
          5 days ago

          I’d surely visit one, before I left, because the experience isnt going to be the same in any other.

          You might want to visit them soon anyway, as I believe they will be significantly reduced over the next 4 years as our Kakistocratic government continues to dismantle everything good about this country.

      • ylph@lemmy.world
        2·
        4 days ago

        Plenty of countries have national parks btw. Many of them had them before America.

        Well not really though ? Yellowstone established in 1872 is generally considered the first national park, in the modern sense of the term*, and inspired others to follow in the next couple of decades in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. It wasn’t until the 1900s that the first national park was established in Europe.

        * there are a couple of other places that also claim this distinction, depending on how exactly you define what a national park is, but not many

        Calling national parks “America’s best idea” is a quote from historian and environmentalist Wallace Stegner - I think the point of it is not to toot some US exceptionalism horn - in context it’s more of an acknowledgment that America deserves a lot of criticism - saying that national parks are America’s best idea is actually putting a bit of shade on other American exceptionalism claims, especially during the Reagan “shining city upon a hill” era.

      • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        11·
        5 days ago

        Perhaps I’m illiterate, but I saw nothing in their comment suggesting that the US is the only country with National Parks.

        I don’t think they even implied that they’re better than any other National Parks.

        They said it was our best idea… I don’t think that implies we were first, just that it was a good idea for us to do it.

        • neo2478@sh.itjust.works
          1·
          5 days ago

          I acknowledge your point. Maybe I came across too harshly due to some baggage about it. Especially an episode from the podcast 99% invisible about the US national parks.

        • Dragonstaff@leminal.spaceEnglish
          3·
          5 days ago

          I don’t think the person above meant anything by it, but if we’re just discussing grammar: if I say something is “my idea” that does suggest that I thought of it. It is reasonable to read the sentence that way, and Americans do have a tendency to reflexively think we are exceptional.

          Both readings are perfectly cromulent.

    • Bytemeister@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      5 days ago

      I can’t tell which way this comment is going, but Five Guys is the most I’ve spent for the worst French fries I’ve ever had in my life, and the burger is “meh” grade. Burger King does a better burger and fries faster and cheaper.

      • Flax@feddit.ukEnglish
        2·
        5 days ago

        I spent £17 on a burger and chips at five guys due to peer pressure. I still haven’t mentally recovered.

        • Bytemeister@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          5 days ago

          Yeah, the burger quality was on par with just about any other smash burger, and the fries were limp, undercooked, slimy and pale.

          I think it was only 14 bucks for me at the time, but this was when you could get a whopper combo for like 6.

          • Flax@feddit.ukEnglish
            1·
            5 days ago

            It was nice for me. I enjoyed it. It was good food. But not something I’d bother spending £17 on. I would have enjoyed a £8 meal from burger king the same even if it’s slightly lower quality. When it comes to eating, I am not a sweat or a food enthusiast. I just needed to eat something for dinner so my mum and girlfriend don’t get annoyed with me.

    • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      3·
      5 days ago

      I had not heard of this until reading your comment, and I’ve just started down the rabbit hole… This place looks fucking incredible

      • Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        5·
        6 days ago

        It’s an incredible art exhibit. Extremely inventive and fun. I have never been but I know people in America who have, and zero of them have been underwhelmed or disappointed. It’s my number one desire if I ever find myself near there.

  • Brave Little Hitachi Wand@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    6 days ago

    Hard to come up with non-joke suggestions without knowing the locale. Seattle? Un Bien. Las Vegas? The Double Down Saloon. San Francisco? Smitten. Portland? Powell’s books.

    Generally? Grab a pebbled ice machine and turn the lights off on your way out.

  • Lord Wiggle@lemmy.world
    267·
    5 days ago

    Go to a country which is better than the US. So skip North Korea, Somalia, Palestine. Then you’re good.