By: Anne Clay, Student Ambassador, USA Pavilion 2012

On July 4, the United States’ Independence Day, the USA Pavilion demonstrated the importance of participating in the 2012 Yeosu Expo. The performances and speeches on National Day not only offered a traditional view of the United States to non-American visitors, but also reinforced the Expo theme, “The Living Ocean and Coast”. National Day at the Expo would not have been complete without the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Kim and famous environmentalist Philippe Cousteau and officials such as U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Administrator Jane Lubchenco and USA Pavilion CEO Andrew Snowwhite. These individuals voiced the United States’ concern about the world’s ocean and, through their speeches, expressed our country’s efforts to collaborate with international partners in bringing awareness to saving our ocean and coast. The cultural performances allowed me to relive traditional America and the way Americans celebrate July 4^th. I have usually been abroad during the month of July, and therefore, have not been able to experience the way Americans celebrate the holiday. The performances and the evening reception gave me a wonderful taste of the United States and its culture. And the day’s celebrations ended just like a typical Fourth of July evening, except without the fireworks.