On Tuesday evening, I was in my friend’s room, huddled around my computer, trying—and failing—to do my homework, waiting impatiently for the results that would be the capstone of a long journey. To see me then, it would have been hard to guess that I absolutely detest politics. However, the recent election was about so much more than that.

In the year 1619, the first slaves arrived in the United States. In 2008, 389 years later, the United States has come full circle. In saying so, I am not commenting on the results of the elections—which should not be about race—but on the fact that so many people were completely comfortable with the idea of being led by a black president.

To all people, the United States is known as the land of opportunity. As a foreigner, I have not always felt that this common belief was entirely true. In the years that I have been here, I have witnessed an equal amount of good and bad. At times, some events made me extremely grateful that I am here, but others made me skeptical about the wonder of America.

For instance, I have been surrounded by people who came here with the hope to make a good life for themselves. Yet, after 10 years, they have not been able to save any money because they live paycheck to paycheck. On the other hand, I’ve also met those of younger age, who were able to become part of the system and to rise to the top.

The truth is that no system is perfect and neither is the American system. However, the American people have proven that the ideals by which they stand have not become a mere facsimile of that which they once were; the values held dear by people across the world are still present here.

It is sometimes hard to feel part of something when you did not play a direct role. However, even though I only voted in spirit and was not physically able to cast my vote, I was still part of something big, much bigger than a simple election for the next president of the United States.

People all around the world celebrated, not so much because they supported a particular candidate, but because the 2008 elections were a victory for ideals and values that all human beings stand for. And so, regardless of political affiliation, all Americans should be proud of themselves and their country, because they have indeed once again proven that they deserve the title of the greatest country in the world.

To those in situations where they dare not dream, the American people have proven that there is still a place where people are not only allowed to dream, but where their dreams can, and indeed, do come true.