I don’t want to be the kind of international student who can’t adapt in the United States. I have been in this country for almost three years now and the question I always have when I meet someone is whether I plan to stay in the United States or go back home.

I love France. It is where I was born and raised and I love the lifestyle in Europe. But, I feel as excited as I do sad anytime I am flying across the Atlantic Ocean because home is in both countries now.

The United States wasn’t a home for me for a while. I was in shock for a long while because of what I saw here, which seemed normal for everyone but me.

I believe Americans really should think about living everyday a little more like Europeans. These differences are actually why I don’t think I want to settle down in the U.S. for good.

In Europe, if you go to the store to buy food, you have to think about a way to transport your products because plastic bags aren’t for free. France actually started getting rid of free plastic bags only a few years ago – later from other European countries. And even today, I would forget to bring a bag so I’ll end up buying one.

But, how many Walmart plastic bags does each household have in their kitchen? According to the Environmental Protection Agency website, 251 million tons of trash were produced in 2012 in the United States.

We live in a world of to-go boxes and coffee in a throw-away cup. I know we can recycle plastic and others materials but do we really know what can be recycled? And how much is recycled? I personally have no idea.

I take a lot of coffee to go and I have no clue if the carton can be recycled after being in contact with food. I usually end up throwing it in the regular trash.

The other day, I went to McDonalds. I think everyone in the world knows this fast food chain. But something you may not know is McDonalds offers different types of food for the countries it serves. I asked for a small drink and the woman in the black uniform with the M on her hat didn’t wait I finished my sentence to offer me a large because it is one dollar anyway for any size.

This is promoting obesity. As she said it, I was suddenly reminded of the pictures we are shown in the dorms about how much sugar drinks have. I drank the entire large cup of Sprite, which seemed extremely huge when I was 11 and I first landed in the States but now looks normal.

I explained to the McDonalds worker that an American small drink is considered a medium in Europe and it is the size most people ask for.

Something else I don’t like about this country but I cannot live without are 24/7 gas stations and stores such as Walmart.

It makes me sad when I check out and see an employee working as quickly as possible and having a look on their face that says “I had 5 hours of sleep last night and I make 7.25 an hour”.

But, I find it so comforting to know you can always buy medicine in 4 a.m. when you have a bad stomachache. You don’t need to check online for stores hours because most stores are open late if not all night.

This is one of the reasons I would want to move back to France. Even if I work as a cashier, I know I would have normal hours and I’ll make at least minimum wage – about $12 an hour.

Last thing about America that perplexes me are pharmacies that sell alcohol. I find the irony amusing.

It is not that I hate the United States. The fact I am still studying here after three years proves I love this country and I am planning to stay here after I graduate.

But the American lifestyle would make things harder to me to adapt.

I hope United States will start to take example on Europeans countries in terms of recycling, eating healthy and workers’ rights.