I’m celebrating Independence Day a little differently this year. Last year, my family hosted an exchange student, Nora from Norway. We’re currently over there visiting her family and learning about her country.

When I spend time with people from other countries, not only have I learned about their countries and customs, but I’ve learned more about our own American customs and how they differ from others’ around the world.  I’ve learned not to take some things for granted.

For example, when Nora was asked what food she would miss most from the United States, she mentioned buffalo wings. I love buffalo wings! I can’t imagine living in a country in which I can’t pick up the phone and order a dozen of my favorite mediums with bleu cheese and celery!

One of the other major differences between the United States and Norway that we noticed relatively quickly in our relationship was the idea of philanthropy and volunteerism. At the time that Nora arrived, my husband and I were both working in the nonprofit industry, an industry that is much smaller in other countries.

Each year, the Charities Aid Foundation does a study that compares three measures of giving behavior: the percentage of people who in a typical month donate money to charity, volunteer their time and help a stranger. Would you have guessed that for 2014, the United States tied for first place? Not only did our country come in on top, but we were the only country to rank in the top ten for all three categories.

 Our generous spirit is one of the things I admire most about this country. For this Independence Day, as I reflect across the pond, I wish to say Happy 239^th Birthday to our beautiful nation, and thank you to all of you who give so much to make it great!