Parents need to carefully weigh the many advantages and disadvantages of different places when choosing where to raise their children. Some people claim that the countryside, with its nature and slower life pace, is a less stressful and more wholesome environment for children. However, I believe that a big city offers many more valuable life experiences that enhance children’s lives.

When I was growing up, I lived in a big city, with a population of over 5 million people. I also sometimes visited my grandparents during the summer, and they lived in a rural area. While I enjoyed my grandparents’ company a lot, I missed being around my friends back home. My city has a very diverse population, and my friends came from all over the world, such as from India, Bulgaria, Japan, Mexico, and Oman. I know now that in addition to just having fun with my friends, I got to learn about many cultures and develop skills in relating to people with different backgrounds and perspectives. This will be very valuable to me during my college education and afterward as I pursue my career, which will involve interacting with diverse co-workers and customers.

Some may still say that children can develop these skills later and first benefit from being surrounded by nature in the countryside. It’s true that being immersed in nature provides a unique learning experience. However, I was able to be exposed to many wondrous aspects of nature from the zoo and the science museum in my city. At the zoo I could see for myself and learn about animals from faraway places. The night sky is spectacularly beautiful in the countryside, but I also discovered a lot more about stars in the science museum. After many visits there with my parents, I became informed about the constellations, the life cycles of stars, and much more through the planetarium shows and the magnificent exhibits.

In the city I was also able to have enriching experiences at other cultural institutions, such as at the art museum that was only a 10-minute subway ride away from my apartment, and the concert hall that was just ten blocks away. I got to see paintings and sculptures by several famous artists, and hear Western classical symphonies, Chinese operas, and Indian carnatic musical performances. There are fewer if any opportunities like this to be found in the countryside.

Thus for these reasons and more I think children will receive a more well-rounded life education by growing up in the more stimulating environment provided by a big city. Children can gain the benefits of the countryside by visiting there on vacations, while living mainly in an urban setting.