There is great interest in Europe about the American presidential election. As an American studying in Germany, one question that almost always comes up when talking with Germans for the first time-whether they are college students or adults-is who am I voting for in the election and why.

After explaining my answer, they are always sure to tell me who they would vote for and why they would vote for that candidate. The problem though, is they are not allowed to vote.

However, this does not stop Europeans from following the election and caring about the outcome.

I had a German professor who made an interesting observation about the democratic nature of the American presidential election. He commented that the elections are really not democratic at all, because the president makes decisions that affect the entire world, yet only American citizens can vote for a candidate.

One of the reasons the election is being followed so closely in Europe is because of the influence our president has on world affairs, international relations and global economics. The decisions of the president in some way touch everyone in this world, more so than any other world leader.

While the European Union is larger and economically stronger than the United States, the influence of the Union, relative to the United States, is much weaker, given the fact that it is difficult to have 27 autonomous nations agree on any one subject.

I find it incredibly interesting to be part of a historic election from abroad. I have had debates about healthcare systems, diplomatic responses to the Russia/Georgia situation and the current financial crisis on Wall Street, and I have learned a lot from hearing an outside perspective.

As Americans wait for Nov. 4, also waits the rest of the world waiting, to see what will happen and who will be the next leader of the United States. My hope is that Americans back home are as excited about the election and what it means for the future of international relations as the Europeans I have met the past month.

Whether we think our vote counts or not, we should all exercise our right as American citizens, to vote. There are, after all, many well-informed people in this world who would gladly vote if they had the opportunity. Those who have that chance to vote should not waste it.

– MJ Paradiso is a junior international business and marketing major and is studying abroad at the European School of Business in Reutlingen Germany.