Land of the Free? I’m an American living in Britain – that’s why I feel freer in Britain than in the US, from healthcare to religion and jaywalking

America calls itself ‘The Land of the Free’.

But travel blogger Kalyn Franke, who moved to Britain from Florida, claims she feels freer in Britain than in the US, despite the latter’s claim.

In a video for her Girl Gone London YouTube channel, which has racked up more than 160,000 views and 3,100 comments, she explains her reasons, which focus on healthcare, religion, public transport, jaywalking and annual leave.

She told MailOnline Travel that many Americans would be unaware of the differences between their country and Britain, ‘because our news can be very local and American-centric’.

Read on to learn more about the entries on Kalyn’s list.

HEALTHCARE

Travel blogger Kalyn Franke (above), who moved to Britain from Florida, claims she feels freer in Britain than in the US.

The British National Health Service (NHS) is one of the main contributors to Kalyn feeling freer in Britain than in the US.

She says on the video: ‘It’s not just the fact that I can go to the doctor here and pay nothing or have surgery and pay nothing – it’s also to do with the fact that I’m self-employed. If you are self-employed in a country like Great Britain where there is a nationalized healthcare system, this means that you do not have to take this into account in your work.

‘In the US, having health insurance is actually mandatory to go to the doctor. Health insurance is usually linked to an employed job. In the US, self-employed people have to buy health insurance and pay the monthly costs, which can be prohibitively high – we’re talking at least hundreds per month.”

The British National Health Service (NHS) is one of the main contributors to Kalyn feeling freer in Britain than in the US.

Kalyn separately told MailOnline Travel: ‘The freedom of having a national healthcare service and not having to worry about debt if you get sick, or choosing a job based on health insurance, is the most important freedom I think that I have in Great Britain. that I would like to have in the US. It really makes a big difference and eliminates the enormous stress that people in the US feel

‘They are always shocked at how easy the NHS can be used. One thing they’re really jealous of is that in Britain you don’t get a bill if you need to use an ambulance – in the US you sometimes have to pay thousands for it.’

PUBLIC ACCESS TO LAND

Kalyn loves the British right to roam. She notes to MailOnline that many Brits she has met “didn’t realize that the ability to access public footpaths and walk on private land is something really special.”

She says in the video: ‘In America it’s a much more private system with no public access or right of way in that sense. Of course you can go to a national park, but I feel like I can move a little more freely in Britain.’

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The vast majority of Britain is very well connected by trains and buses, says Kalyn

Getting around in Britain is much easier, says Kalyn, thanks to public transport.

She says: ‘America runs largely on cars, and so does much of Britain. However, the vast majority of Britain is very well connected by trains, buses and other forms of transport – so I have more options.’

WORK RIGHTS AND PAID LEAVE

Americans often don’t have vacation time, Kalyn notes, while Brits are blessed with much more time off.

She says: ‘If I worked a traditional nine-to-five job in Britain, the government would guarantee me 28 days’ holiday a year. In the US, if I were in exactly the same position… there are no federal government requirements for how many days I could have off.

‘They are seen as a perk of the job, so you hope to choose a job that offers sufficient leave or enough days off. It could be zero! And even if you tend to take vacation days in your job in America, it’s usually much less than in Britain.’

JAYWALKING

British – enjoy your right to cross the road. That’s the message from Kalyn, who explains: ‘In America there are many laws in different states that say you can’t just cross the road wherever you want. [known as jaywalking]. According to the law, you must cross the road at a special intersection. If you don’t do this, you run the risk of getting a fine.

“You’re not likely to go to jail for jaywalking, but it’s still something that’s codified as not legal. In Britain I can cross the road wherever I want [except motorways]. I can see with my own eyes if there is traffic and I can just decide to cross that road.’

RELIGION

Kalyn notes that in America it can be “more difficult for someone to hold a position of power without being part of the majority religion, which is Christianity.”

Kalyn notes that in America it is difficult to hold a position of political power without being a Christian.

She explains: ‘In Britain I feel like there’s a lot more freedom to become someone in power – whether that’s at a local or national level, whatever your religion.

“In America, it can be more difficult for someone to hold a position of power without being part of the majority religion, which is Christianity.”

For more information about Kalyn, visit www.youtube.com/@GirlGoneLondoofficial And girlgonelondon.com. Click to see the original YouTube post here.