Global Q&A: What country would you want to be born in?

This week, Epoch Times reporters from Doha to Utah asked locals, "If you could chose any other country (besides your own) to have been born in, where would it be and why?" While many respondents said they were happy with their home country, factors such as improved quality of life and a connection to history were among the reasons why people might admire other lands.

It would definitely be America because there are good opportunities to make wealth there. I like the country because people are broad-minded; the common man is pretty honest. The facilities available to the common man are immense. As a housewife, I feel the technology that is available is by far the best to make the house a heaven. There is a lot more freedom for people to do whatever they are interested in. There is a lot of respect for women – women are treated on par with men. The way America is depicted in the movies attracts me towards it. I believe the Americans enjoy their life to the fullest.

Givataim, Israel

Giora Salmi, Dean of the Geo Photo College

I could live in France because of the good food and the beautiful language, but I am quite happy in Israel and really feel here like fish in water.

 

Doha, Qatar

Ahmad Al Zouaiby, 27, HR Manager

If I had the ability to choose I would like to be born and raised in Japan. Technological wise, it is a very strong country – a place that gives one a real prosperous life. Japanese are developing continuously. They are my favorite people as they never stop working on and improving themselves. It is like they always challenge their own abilities and always make it.

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Neil Meredith, 65, Sales Manager

I think New Zealand. They’re always so proud of where they’ve come from; they’ve got a little bit of a funny accent which we Australians take it out on them. But all in all, I think that they are a very, very proud nation and I think if I was that proud of Australia, I could be very happy with myself. I think they’re free as we are in Australia. I don’t know why a lot of them want to come out to Australia to live, but I think they’ve probably seen the writing on the wall where Australia’s probably a fabulous country, just as a lot of us would see their country as a fabulous country.

 

Satu Mare, Romania

Kuki Francisc Tibor, 55. Retired Officer of the Court

I'm of Hungarian nationality, born and living in Romania. Each country has its own culture. I would feel much better living in the country of my ancestors, because here the Hungarian culture is not encouraged.

 Taipei, Taiwan

Ch'iu Yüp'ing, 23, currently studying Masters in Geology

I think Taiwan is just great, but if I really had to pick, it would be Denmark. I think the atmosphere there seems very pleasant, very peaceful, and that there aren't any violent movements or that kind of thing. The social welfare is also very good, and the per-capita income is high, too. Later, if I go on holidays, I'm going to go there.

Salt Lake City, USA

Amanda Stafford, 26, Concierge

I would have liked to have been born in England because the culture is not too far off from America, but also because of everything that happened there. It has a very interesting history that would not happen nowadays, like the rich culture and long history that our country does not have with the royalty and other things.

Ottawa, Canada

José Ferreira (born Portugal), 40, Loss Prevention Officer

 

I would say Greece, just because it's a lot more beautiful, the ocean is there, the temperature is great there, and because of its slower pace, it's more relaxed.

Le Ville di Terranuova Bni., Italy

Gianni Azzurrini, 42, Mason

 

Why do I need to be born in another place? I am very good here. If I need to choose another I don't know now…maybe Chile because I think I like it there.

 Islamabad, Pakistan

Kashif Joseph, 28, IT Professional

If I had a choice to be born in any other country rather than where I was born, I would choose Norway. Apart from praising the beauty of the country, with exotic sceneries, mountains, fjords and waterfalls, Norway is declared the most peaceful country in the world (according to Global Peace Index) and it has the second highest income per capita in the world. Norway has a lot of opportunities for IT professionals.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week, when Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspective on local and global realities.

Next week’s global question: April 22 is International Earth Day. What one thing could you change in your life to help improve the environment?