Written By: Tim Johnson
Director of ESL Program + Business Instructor | Aston American University
Playing professional baseball was the reason why I had moved from the United States. Unlike most people, I didn’t miss home too much. But, there were times when I would wonder where my life path would have taken me had I not chosen to play baseball abroad.
The first thing I miss most about home in the US: Pizza! I know what you are thinking, but I have travelled to Italy and tried its pizzas. The differences? American pizzas can be huge, loaded with tomato sauce and cheese, as well as whatever toppings you’d want in abundance – olives, mushrooms, peppers, sausage, pepperoni, ham, and more. For me, these are the reasons why American pizza is the best in the world.
Chat Club: Do you like to eat pizza? What kind of pizza and from what country?
Second, I miss the weather. For the past 10 years, I have been living in the Czech Republic where it is very cold and cloudy; winters here can be quite depressing and the summers can also be a little cold, especially at night. I was born in Miami, so I love the sun! Even in North Carolina – a climate with lower temperatures – where I had spent most of my life, we still had quite a bit of sun.
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The last thing I really miss are the sports. For me, there is nothing like attending an American football or baseball game. No other country in the world has a collegiate sports league like the United States. College sports, in my opinion, are better than watching the professional leagues. Watching local high schools compete can also be quite enjoyable. I loved attending local high school sports games because these young athletes play with so much intensity. I enjoyed watching young and raw talent fight to make it to the university level. Also, the atmosphere of a high school game is quite different than a university game. The amount of television channels dedicated to sports in the US is phenomenal as well. From the east coast to the west coast, and let’s not forget Hawaii in the pacific, you can watch sports nearly all day and/or night – but don’t forget to study!
Chat Club: Have you ever watched American Football? Do you like it better than soccer? Why or why not?
Where is my US family in this list? Of course I do miss my family back home, but now, I have a family of my own to take care of here in the Czech Republic. However, sometimes I wish my family here could also experience the same things that I had experienced in the US. Only time will tell if my wife will ever want to take that step with our children. But if you, ever have the chance to travel to the US, simply go out and enjoy the weather, have some pizza, and don’t forget to find out if any sports teams are playing in the area where you have chosen to travel. It’s truly an extraordinary, American experience.
Practice English by increasing your vocabulary. Look up the 8 bolded words in this article to learn their meaning. Find a synonym for each of the words. Be the first person to email timj@aaun.us with the list of synonyms.
Chat Club: What makes you miss home the most? And Why?
