7 countries where being American actually works in your favor

Let's be honest: Americans don't always have the best reputation abroad. We're loud, we expect everyone to speak English, and we sometimes act like the world revolves around us.

But here's what nobody talks about: there are actually places where having an American passport opens doors instead of closing them. Countries where locals light up when you mention you're from the States. Places where being American gives you an edge you didn't even know you had.

I've spent enough time bouncing between countries to notice the difference. The reception you get in Stockholm versus Seoul. How people respond when you say where you're from. It's not the same everywhere.

So let's talk about the places where Americans aren't just tolerated but genuinely welcomed. Where your nationality becomes an asset rather than something you need to apologize for.

1) Poland

Poland tops nearly every list of countries with favorable views of Americans, and the numbers back it up. According to recent Pew Research data, 93% of Poles view the United States favorably, the highest rating in Europe and possibly the world.

This isn't random goodwill. It's rooted in history.

Poland's positive attitude toward the United States stems from President Reagan's stance against the USSR and America's help when Poland left the Soviet bloc. When Poland was breaking free from Soviet control, the U.S. was one of their biggest supporters. That's the kind of thing people remember.

When I was photographing in Kraków a few years back, locals would stop to chat once they heard my accent. Not in a "wow, an American" way, but in a genuinely friendly, curious way. They wanted to talk about American culture, share stories about relatives who'd moved to Chicago or New York, ask about life in California.

The relationship goes beyond historical ties. Poland remains one of America's strongest NATO allies, and many Poles see the U.S. as a crucial partner in regional security. That translates to real warmth at street level.

2) Israel

Israel maintains an 87% favorable view of the United States as of 2025, making it one of the most pro-American countries globally.

The relationship between the two nations runs deep, built on decades of close political, military, and cultural ties.

What's interesting is that this favorability crosses political lines within Israel more than you might expect. While there are certainly debates about U.S. policy, the general population maintains strongly positive views of Americans as individuals.

I have a friend who spent time in Tel Aviv working on a tech project, and he said the reception was unlike anywhere else he'd traveled. People were eager to collaborate, genuinely interested in American perspectives on everything from business to music to food culture.

The tech sector connection matters here. Israel's startup scene has deep ties to Silicon Valley, and there's enormous respect for American innovation and entrepreneurship. Being American in Israel's tech hubs can actually be a networking advantage.

Plus, the shared security concerns and geopolitical alignment create a sense of partnership that goes beyond government policy and filters into everyday interactions.

3) South Korea

79% of South Koreans hold a favorable view of the United States, and you can feel it the moment you arrive.

The American cultural influence is everywhere, from the coffee shops playing indie rock to the fashion influenced by American streetwear.

The relationship started with the Korean War, but it's evolved into something much more complex and cultural. K-pop might dominate globally now, but American music paved the way for that industry. Many Korean artists trained in the U.S. or cite American musicians as major influences.

Seoul has this fascinating blend of traditional Korean culture and American cultural imports. You'll see it in the food (Korean fried chicken was directly inspired by American styles), the entertainment industry, and especially in how younger Koreans view American culture.

What struck me learning about Korean culture is how much soft power matters. Korean students often dream of studying in the U.S., and American universities are highly respected.

English proficiency is seen as crucial for career advancement, and American media dominates entertainment choices.

The military alliance matters too, obviously. But at street level, what you feel is genuine curiosity and often admiration for American culture and lifestyle.

4) Nigeria

Lagos is Africa's tech capital, and if you walk into a startup office there, you'll probably hear people talking about Silicon Valley models, Y Combinator, and American venture capital.

There's a reason for that: Nigeria is one of the most pro-American countries on the continent, with 74% of people viewing the United States positively.

The U.S. has deep connections with Nigeria's growing middle class that go beyond business. Education plays a massive role here.

Thousands of Nigerian students study at American universities every year, and many return home with strong positive associations. American degrees carry weight in Nigeria's competitive job market.

The entertainment connection runs both ways now. Nollywood might be huge, but American movies and music have influenced Nigerian popular culture for decades.

And increasingly, Nigerian artists are breaking into American markets, creating a cultural exchange that builds mutual respect.

American tech companies are also major players in Nigeria's booming tech scene. Lagos has become a significant startup hub, and the American entrepreneurial model is widely admired and emulated.

The relationship isn't perfect, and there are legitimate critiques of U.S. policy. But at an individual level, Americans often find warm reception and genuine interest from Nigerians across different sectors.

5) Japan

The post-war transformation between Japan and the United States is one of history's more remarkable turnarounds.

From devastating conflict to close alliance, and now to a relationship where 73% of Japanese people hold favorable views of Americans. What makes Japan interesting is how thoroughly the post-war relationship transformed.

American culture saturates Japan in ways that might seem surprising. Baseball is huge. American music influences Japanese pop. Fashion trends flow from New York and LA to Tokyo. The cultural exchange goes deeper than surface-level imports.

The business relationship matters enormously as well. American companies have major presence in Japan, and Japanese companies have deep investments in the U.S. This creates professional networks where being American can be advantageous, especially in tech and finance sectors.

Younger Japanese especially tend to view American culture positively. The U.S. represents a certain kind of freedom and individualism that contrasts with traditional Japanese social structures, and that appeals to many young people.

6) Kenya

Kenya maintains a 71% favorable view of the United States, driven by strong ties in education, health, and economic development. The relationship between Kenya and the U.S. has consistently remained positive even as global opinions have shifted.

Many Kenyans see the U.S. as a valuable partner, thanks to strong ties in areas like education, health, and economic development. American aid programs, particularly in healthcare, have made tangible differences in people's lives. That creates goodwill that extends to individual Americans.

Education again plays a crucial role. Kenyan students who can afford it often aim for American universities, and those connections create lasting positive associations. American-style entrepreneurship is also widely respected in Kenya's growing startup scene.

The Obama connection mattered too. Having a U.S. president with Kenyan heritage created a surge of positive feeling that hasn't entirely faded. It made the U.S. feel less distant and more personally relevant to many Kenyans.

Tourism flows both ways now as well. Kenya's safari industry attracts many American tourists, and that interaction, when done respectfully, builds mutual understanding and appreciation.

7) India

Think about every major American tech company. Now think about who's running many of them or leading their engineering teams.

The connection between India and the United States runs through Silicon Valley, and that's created a relationship where 65% of Indians express positive opinions of the U.S. The number has been climbing too, as the relationship shifts from historical distance to active partnership.

The two countries share growing ties in technology, defense, and education, and many Indians see the U.S. as a land of opportunity and innovation. Silicon Valley is full of Indian-American tech leaders, and that creates a perception that America rewards talent and innovation.

The education pipeline is massive. Indian students make up one of the largest groups of international students in American universities. Almost everyone in India's middle and upper classes has relatives or friends who've studied or worked in the U.S.

The tech connection runs deep. Indian IT firms have major operations in the U.S., and American tech companies rely heavily on Indian talent. This creates professional networks where being American can open doors, especially in India's booming tech hubs like Bangalore and Hyderabad.

The relationship isn't without tension, particularly around immigration policy. But at the individual level, Americans often find enthusiastic reception in India, especially in professional and urban contexts.

The bottom line

Being American abroad is complicated, and it should be. The U.S. has enormous global influence, and that comes with baggage, history, and legitimate criticism.

But it's worth acknowledging that American nationality can be an asset in many places. Not because America is perfect, but because of specific historical relationships, cultural connections, and ongoing partnerships that create genuine goodwill.

The key is not taking that goodwill for granted. When you travel to countries where Americans are welcomed, recognize that you're benefiting from relationships built over decades. Respect that. Don't assume it extends to every situation or excuses bad behavior.

And maybe most importantly, understand that favorable views of America don't mean uncritical admiration.

People can appreciate aspects of American culture while disagreeing with American policy. They can welcome you as an individual while having complicated feelings about your country's global role.

That nuance matters. It's the difference between being an American who travels well and being an American who travels badly.

The countries on this list offer Americans something valuable: a chance to be seen first as individuals rather than representatives of everything complex and controversial about U.S. foreign policy. That's worth appreciating.