I grew up in France and the US but America is the best place for a go-getter like me

Siripong Kaewla-iad; Steve Kelley aka mudpig/ Getty Images

• Arthur Begtine was born in France but moved with his family to Atlanta when he was eight.
• Begtine felt reverse culture shock when he moved back to France for his father's job when he was 14.
• He told Business Insider he was desperate to return to the US because it has more social mobility.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Arthur Begtine, a 34-year-old senior business development manager in Atlanta.