Why it's great to be European

First, to my fellow Americans - Europe is more than Spain, Italy, France, and Germany. European Union alone is 27 countries combined.

I was born in Poland in 1990, just a year after the Berlin Wall collapsed and Poland stopped being part of the Soviet Bloc (which was an enormous tragedy to my country that we were under Soviet occupation for such a long time). Then came the crazy '90s and embracing capitalism - it was a time of many social and economic changes that few made a fortune on, and many struggled to live by. We have lost many factories and industries that appeared to be obsolete after the communists were gone. I do remember when we joined NATO (1999), when we joined the EU (2004), and when we finally joined the Schengen Zone (2007), which meant no more border controls between EU countries. These moments marked incredible milestones in our return to the European family after decades of isolation.

And this is where the beauty of being European truly begins. Today, I can wake up in Warsaw, where Gothic churches stand alongside Soviet-era architecture and gleaming modern skyscrapers, and by lunch, I can be sipping rosé on the French Riviera. The sheer freedom of movement is intoxicating - no visas, no passport stamps, just grab your ID card and go.

Our public transportation system is a marvel that my American friends can hardly believe. I can hop on a train in Berlin and be in Paris in just over 8 hours, working or reading while watching the countryside roll by. Cities are built for people, not cars, with extensive metro systems, trams, and buses that actually run on time.

The quality of life here is something special too. Five weeks of paid vacation is standard, not a luxury. Healthcare isn't something we worry about bankrupting us. Our cities are walkable, our food standards are high (no chlorinated chicken or high-fructose corn syrup here), and our work-life balance is actually balanced.

Speaking of food - each region has its own culinary treasures that tell stories of its history. You can start your day with a Polish pierogi, have Spanish paella for lunch, and finish with Italian gelato for dessert. The EU's protected geographical indication system ensures that Champagne really comes from Champagne, and Parmesan from Parma.

But perhaps what makes Europe truly special is how history surrounds us everywhere. My apartment building in Warsaw is younger than most of its residents (rebuilt after WWII), but just a short flight away, I can walk on Roman roads in Croatia, explore medieval castles in Czech Republic, or stand in Gothic cathedrals in France that took centuries to build. This contrast between old and new, East and West, creates a cultural tapestry that's uniquely European.

Living here means experiencing both unity and diversity. Each country maintains its distinct identity while being part of something bigger. You can cross borders that once divided nations at war, and now find friends on both sides. It's not perfect - we have our challenges and disagreements - but the European project has given us something unprecedented: a peaceful continent where cooperation trumps conflict, and where our differences enrich rather than divide us.

What's particularly exciting is how Europe continues to innovate and compete on the global stage. Take Airbus, for example - a perfect embodiment of European cooperation. What started as a Franco-German project now involves production sites across Europe, from Toulouse to Hamburg to Seville. The fact that we can challenge Boeing's decades-long dominance shows what we can achieve when we work together.

And it's not just aviation. ASML in the Netherlands holds a virtual monopoly on the most advanced chip-making machines, making both American and Chinese semiconductor industries dependent on European technology. Our renewable energy initiatives, particularly offshore wind power in the North Sea, are world-leading. Companies like Spotify from Sweden have revolutionized how the world consumes music, while BioNTech from Germany played a crucial role in developing mRNA vaccine technology.

Looking ahead, Europe's strength lies in deepening this cooperation. The European Battery Alliance is already helping us compete with Asia in electric vehicle technology. The European Space Agency's projects prove we can reach for the stars without NASA's budget. And initiatives like the European Green Deal show we can lead the world in climate action while creating new industries and jobs.

As someone who grew up watching my country transform from a post-communist state to a modern European nation, I can't help but feel optimistic about our future. Despite all the headlines about EU's problems, being European today means being part of one of the most ambitious and successful peace projects in human history. Whether it's our technological innovations, our commitment to sustainability, or our ability to compete with global superpowers while maintaining our social model, Europe continues to prove that unity is strength. And yes, being able to escape Warsaw's November gloom for Nice's sunny shores in just two hours is definitely a nice perk too.