The United States is often called "a nation of immigrantsin Built - also literally - by people from all over the world, it still attracts foreigners who come to America, usually with a certain idea for their future. One might ask: why is this specific place so attractive to immigrants? Is this the legendary American Dream fuelling the urge to arrive? How does it merge with their mindset before and experience after the arrival?
To answer those questions, we need to explain what the American Dream is in the first place. Rather than an actual dream (though it might be for some), it is a series of beliefs, originating from the times when the US was still a newly established country. To get into even more detail, it is a stance that everyone can achieve success and life they have always wanted - no matter where they come from or who they are, hard work and determination will provide them with an affluent lifetime. It is the idea of equal chances that makes The United States a destination for those, who, due to segregation and other obstacles, would not achieve much in their native lands.
When we mention "hard work", job opportunities come to mind first. Being able to earn a decent amount of money, usually much higher than in other countries, without having to worry about one's social status, gender, or race, might be something American-borns or most Europeans take for granted. Yet, what we perceive as a right, others need to travel the world for. A chance to shape an immigrant's future without rules other than own engagement is definitely a part of both the American Dream, and their own aspirations.
Still, equality does not only refer to pursuing a chosen career; it is always intertwined with personal freedom. "The land of the free and the home of the brave" - as some call The United States - guarantees every person that is over eighteen (or, in some cases, twenty-one) years old a right to decide how to lead their life; even if they fail miserably, it will be the consequence of their conscious decisions. They can choose to follow celebrities through the TV and magazines, or simply spend the time in a more productive way - but it is not so obvious in many African or Asian countries. When the phrase "democracy" is censored in search engines (China), or you need the leader's own permission to leave the country (North Korea; usually limited to government workers), America once again becomes a fantasy of many. When a person risks persecution for browsing internationally available websites, or death when trying to leave the country, it sets a whole new perspective not only on how valuable American freedom is but also at the minds of those who founded it, revealing them to be truly ahead of their times.
Finally, it might seem that the definition of American Dream has expanded lately. While it still holds the same basic principles, we cannot omit the role of popular culture that delivers a specific image of the States. Hollywood, the Wild West, casinos, and pop music are what many foreigners perceives America to be like. These aspects, seen as rather positive, match the definition of freedom (gambling, cowboy culture), achieving success (Hollywood), and equality (even if in its most trivial form, like male, female, and even child celebrities of every race and background). Those glamorous and fun images are, sadly, most of the time connected with other, negative situations, but so is working hard and trying to stay focused. If anything, Hollywood Hills simply add even more to the fascination with starting over in The United States.
It is no doubt that the American Dream relates to peoples' experience as immigrants in North America, in two main aspects - jobs and personal freedom. We can only wonder how the country would look like today if different values have been included in The Declaration of Independence. What is certain is that "all men are created equal" and "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are merits that seem to have gained a wide acclaim and that have been attracting those firm about leading a self-determined and secure life.
