There’s no question the world has looked at us differently during the past few years. Although we gained a great deal of sympathy after 9/11, America’s image has been damaged by numerous headlines — including the invasion of Iraq and the president who led us there.With President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration coming in a few days, it’s almost certain the world’s perception of America will change due to his popularity abroad. It’s happening already.A BBC pre-election poll found half of the international respondents said Obama’s election would positively change their perception of the United States. His election alone has been heralded as a step in the right direction, and much more will undoubtedly unfold — positively or negatively — in the first months of his presidency.While approval of U.S. leadership is quite healthy in sub-Saharan Africa, according to an international Gallup poll (although barely higher than the other major countries which provide aid), the rest of the world gives the U.S. a lukewarm — if not chilly — affirmation.Not surprisingly, the Middle East and North Africa give the lowest approval of U.S. leadership with 17 percent approving. Particularly concerning, Europeans came in a close second with only 22 percent approving.Popularity shouldn’t be the litmus test for American policy, but it seems clear that if we want to succeed in an increasingly globalized world, we’ll need to be concerned with what other countries think about us. Closer relations with foreign countries isn’t just an ideological goal. Closer ties should have real benefits — from trade to national security.This sentiment is shared by a resounding majority of Americans. According to a British government poll, 90 percent of surveyed Americans desire closer relations with Europe. The poll also shows most European countries desire closer relations with the U.S., but there is one exception — France.According to the poll, 53 percent of French citizens said they oppose closer relations with the U.S.This seems logical given the perceived tension that has risen between the two countries over the past few years. There are the standard testimonials of American tourists’ encounters with snooty and insulting Parisians.When our country failed to gain the unilateral support of Europe to invade Iraq, it was the French who spearheaded the push for diplomacy. Their “betrayal” led to an infamous and utterly childish act of Congress — to rename the cafeteria’s fried potato snacks “freedom fries.”Bill O’Reilly, an adherent of the anti-French persuasion, launched his trivial “boycott France” campaign — calling on all red-blooded Americans to drop the brie and break the bottles of Bordeaux. While he probably sold some coffee mugs off his Web site, a relatively small number of Americans actually bought in to the movement.Even though O’Reilly’s followers remained on the fringe of society, it’s an example of the ubiquity of anti-French sentiment in popular culture. Most seem to agree that France truly is worthy of contempt without being able to put a finger on exactly why it is.In fact, France has been the U.S.’ single longest standing ally. The foundations of America were made possible by France’s support of our revolution through military aid, which would ultimately bankrupt their coffers.The Statue of Liberty — perhaps the single greatest symbol of America — was a gift from the French.The distrust toward France is exceeded only by its image as a weak, lazy and — in particular — socialist country. While it’s true the French have always resisted the 35-hour workweek and have a healthy dose of government mandated vacation time, the French are also leaders of technology.France gets most of its energy through a well-developed nuclear infrastructure and boasts a highly advanced train system.For whatever reason, our long-standing relationship with this European power doesn’t seem to reflect reality. There is no telling how much of this rocky relationship is based on actual differences or how much is just a pop culture creation.I hope to find out the answers as I study abroad this semester in Aix-en-Provence, France.Travel offers a unique opportunity to witness cultures and societies firsthand. Rather than rely on “what we’ve heard” and the mass media, the sum of our personal experiences with foreign cultures and societies are what should determine our relationship with countries.Travel enables us to not only gauge the perception of foreigners, but to have a positive impact by developing and influencing it.There seems to be a lot of momentum supporting a restoration of the United States’ traditional reputation as a leader and model to follow. I hope to not only witness this resurgence, but to contribute to it firsthand.It’s an exciting time to be an American abroad.—-Contact Mark Macmurdo at [email protected]