8 places in the world where Americans are surprisingly admired

I've spent enough time traveling to know that being American abroad can be complicated.

Sometimes you get eye rolls. Sometimes you get lectures about foreign policy. Sometimes people assume you're loud, entitled, or geographically clueless before you've even opened your mouth.

But there are places where the reception is completely different. Where being American isn't a liability but genuinely opens doors. Where people are curious, welcoming, even admiring in ways that caught me completely off guard.

These aren't tourist traps catering to American dollars. These are places where the cultural perception of Americans is surprisingly positive, sometimes for reasons you wouldn't expect.

1) Vietnam

Given the history, you'd think Americans would be received with hostility or at least coldness. But Vietnam was one of the warmest places I've ever visited.

Young Vietnamese people in particular seemed fascinated by American culture. They wanted to practice their English, ask about life in the States, share their love of American music and movies.

There's a forward-looking quality to how Vietnam approaches the past. The war is acknowledged but not dwelled on. The focus is on economic growth, international relationships, and building a future that includes rather than excludes America.

Research shows that Vietnam has one of the most favorable views of the United States in Asia, with approval ratings consistently above 80%. That's higher than many of America's traditional allies.

I spent time in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the reception was consistently friendly. Not fake tourist-industry friendly, but genuinely interested and welcoming.

It's a reminder that historical trauma doesn't have to define relationships forever. Countries and people can choose to move forward.

2) Poland

Poland's relationship with America is rooted in something deeper than casual cultural affinity. It's about security, shared values, and historical solidarity.

During the Cold War, America represented freedom and possibility when Poland was under Soviet control. That memory hasn't faded. Older Poles especially remember American support for Solidarity and the role the US played in the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

But it's not just nostalgia. Poland sees America as a crucial security partner in a region where Russia remains a genuine threat. American military presence is viewed positively, not as occupation but as protection.

When I visited Krakow and Warsaw, people would light up when they found out I was American. They wanted to talk about shared democratic values, about pop culture, about the ways our countries are connected.

There's a genuine warmth there that goes beyond politics. A sense that America and Poland are on the same team in meaningful ways.

3) South Korea

South Korea's relationship with America is complicated but ultimately positive, especially among younger generations.

The US military presence after the Korean War helped South Korea develop into the economic powerhouse it is today. That history creates a foundation of goodwill that persists.

But more than that, American culture has massively influenced modern South Korean life. K-pop, for all its Korean identity, is deeply influenced by American music production and performance styles. Korean hip-hop draws directly from American traditions. American movies, TV shows, and fashion are everywhere.

When I met Korean students and young professionals, they were eager to connect over shared cultural references. They knew American music, followed American sports, could quote American shows.

There's a mutual cultural exchange happening that makes Americans feel surprisingly at home. You're not a foreigner so much as someone from a place they already feel connected to.

4) Israel

The US-Israel relationship is one of the strongest geopolitical alliances in the world, and that translates to how Americans are received on the ground.

Israel sees America as its most important partner, economically and security-wise. That creates a baseline of positive feeling that's immediately apparent when you visit.

But beyond politics, there's cultural overlap. Many Israelis have family in the United States. American pop culture is ubiquitous. English is widely spoken. The startup culture in Tel Aviv mirrors Silicon Valley in conscious and deliberate ways.

I found conversations easy and natural in ways they weren't in other Middle Eastern countries. People were direct, informal, and genuinely interested in connecting.

There's also a sense of shared democratic values and entrepreneurial spirit that creates common ground beyond just political alliance.

5) Ghana

Ghana's warmth toward Americans, particularly African Americans, is rooted in a combination of factors.

The country has been politically stable and democratic for decades, and it sees America as a model and partner in democratic governance. But there's also a cultural connection, especially through the diaspora.

Ghana has actively worked to build relationships with African Americans through initiatives like the "Year of Return" marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia. The country welcomes Black Americans as returning family, not just tourists.

But even Americans without African heritage find Ghana remarkably welcoming. There's a genuine friendliness and openness that makes travel there feel less like being a foreigner and more like being a welcomed guest.

The English language connection helps. So does a shared love of music, with Ghanaian artists often collaborating with American musicians and drawing influence from American genres.

6) The Philippines

The Philippines has one of the most positive views of America anywhere in the world, consistently ranking in the top five countries for favorable opinion of the United States.

Part of this is historical. The Philippines was an American territory from 1898 to 1946, and despite the complicated colonial history, cultural ties remain incredibly strong.

English is widely spoken. American pop culture dominates. Filipinos follow American basketball religiously. Many Filipinos have family members living in the United States, creating personal connections that reinforce the broader relationship.

I've had Filipino friends tell me that America represents opportunity and success in ways that shape aspirations from childhood. The American Dream isn't just an American concept, it's something deeply embedded in Filipino culture too.

The warmth is immediate and genuine. You're not just tolerated, you're welcomed as someone from a place that feels culturally familiar and aspirationally significant.

7) Albania

This one surprises most Americans because Albania isn't exactly on the typical tourist circuit.

But Albania has one of the most pro-American populations in Europe. There are streets named after American presidents. You'll see American flags displayed alongside Albanian ones. The goodwill is palpable and genuine.

The roots go back to US support during and after the Kosovo War in the late 1990s. America's intervention is remembered as literally saving Albanian lives and protecting Albanian interests when much of Europe hesitated.

That gratitude has translated into a lasting positive perception. Americans are treated not just well but enthusiastically. There's a sense that America stood by Albania when it mattered most, and that's not forgotten.

I met travelers who said Albania felt like one of the most welcoming places they'd ever visited as Americans, which is especially striking given how little most Americans know about the country.

8) Colombia

Colombia's relationship with America has evolved significantly over the past few decades, and the current dynamic is surprisingly positive.

After years of conflict with drug cartels and guerrilla groups, American support through Plan Colombia helped the country achieve stability and economic growth. That partnership created goodwill that persists.

But beyond politics, there's a cultural warmth. Colombians are famously friendly, and that extends to American visitors. The cities feel vibrant and welcoming. The younger generation especially is internationally minded and eager to connect with Americans.

I've been told by people who've traveled extensively in South America that Colombia stands out for how genuinely warm and open people are to Americans. There's none of the wariness or political tension you might encounter elsewhere in the region.

The music scene, the food culture, the entrepreneurial energy in cities like Bogotá and Medellín all create touchpoints that make Americans feel surprisingly at home.

Conclusion

Being American abroad isn't always easy. There's baggage, deserved and undeserved, that comes with the passport.

But these places are reminders that the relationship between countries and people is more nuanced than headlines suggest. That history can be overcome. That cultural connections matter as much as political ones.

The key is showing up with humility and curiosity rather than assumptions. These countries admire certain things about America, but that doesn't mean they want to be America or that they don't see our flaws clearly.

The warmth is real, but it's also conditional on how you behave. On whether you're genuinely interested in the place you're visiting or just looking for a backdrop for your vacation photos.

Travel with respect, with openness, with a willingness to learn rather than lecture, and you'll find that being American can open doors in surprising places.

Just don't expect that goodwill to do all the work for you. You still have to earn it through how you show up.