I was born in Iraq and lived there for thirteen years. I immigrated to America in 2014. There have been changes in my life since I came to the United States. From my experience, I have found some important differences between living in the United States and living in Iraq. There are similarities and differences between Iraq and America. America is my new home, but Iraq will always be in my heart. Security is the main difference between Iraq and America. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In Iraq there were no rules to follow. Anyone could drive at any age without a license because there were no policemen to watch over people. Furthermore, child abduction was a common thing that happened every single day. When there are no rules, there are more problems and more people die. Women were not allowed to go out alone unless accompanied by an adult man. I also didn't feel safe wherever I went, especially during the holidays. For example, before going to church, we suddenly heard a bomb explosion planned by terrorists during the Christmas holidays. In America the rules are very strict. People are not allowed to drive unless they are sixteen years of age or older. There are no criminals kidnapping children or causing unsafety problems. I don't feel completely safe here, however it is much better than Iraq. America is very safe because of its rules and how everyone follows them. Living in Iraq for thirteen years, then moving to America was hard for me to learn new rules. Customs are a good similarity between Iraq and America. In Iraq, people are so friendly and helpful. They are always willing to help everyone, no matter what. For example, when I was in Iraq, our neighbor took me to her house and took care of me for two days until my mother got out of the hospital. The same is true in America. From the moment I arrived at the airport, my initial impression of Americans changed due to the warm greetings I received. Furthermore, Americans are very friendly in dealing with others under any circumstances. Freedom is another aspect of the characteristics of Iraq and America. In Iraq, girls were not allowed to wear anything that showed skin, such as skirts and sleeveless tops. They couldn't even wear tight clothing; they must be covered with a long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans. In Iraq, we could not freely practice our religion. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay There were some states we couldn't go to because they were taken over by Islamic groups like Isis. If we wanted to visit them or shop there, we would have to wear the abbaya (black dress that covers the body and head). This way we could survive without fearing for our life safety. We weren't allowed to hang out with their friends unless a family member accompanied them. They also couldn't date because their family wouldn't let them; unless they get engaged and married the right way. In America girls wear whatever they want without anyone saying a word. During the summer, my parents were shocked by how girls dress in the summer.