American health care is a complicated and polarizing system that continues to spark debate over its effectiveness. Due to the size and scope of the country, American health care is very different from the rest of the world, especially Europe, where health care is free and universal.

Since I have lived in America all my life, this is a foreign concept to me. Going to the doctors has always been an expensive endeavor saved for extreme situations. Unless there is really a problem, I only go to the doctor for my annual medical check-up.

But going to the doctor quickly, easily, and inexpensively is commonplace in many European countries. In the U.K., health care is socialized for everyone. All you have to do is register with a medical practice, and then you can go as often or as little as you want.

Even though I was aware that health care was free, I was still skeptical to go, especially if I was only suffering from something I considered minor. All my life, I never thought to go to the doctors for anything close to minor, only if it were absolutely necessary. It was not until this week that I tried out the medical system in the U.K. for the first time, and I was pleasantly surprised.

I called the health service at my university in the morning and was scheduled an appointment for that very day at 11:30 a.m. I checked in and had no wait to see the doctor. The doctor was nice and helpful and gave me a prescription for a medication that I got five minutes later from the pharmacy at no cost at all.

After seeing the ease and speed with which you can speak with a doctor, I can’t believe it took me this long to go. I cannot get over how seamless it was to create an appointment, receive a consultation, and get free medication. Not only are prescriptions expensive in America, but even a simple consultation can add up very fast. This is not even taking into account the completion of an actual medical procedure.

Although I still have some reserves about socialized health care, I have a much greater appreciation for a system in which consulting a medical professional is encouraged rather than hindered. The process in the U.K. was so easy that I now understand why it has been adopted by so many European nations. The system here is so uncomplicated and simple that going to the GP is an important part of life. I find it comforting to know that there is always someone that will offer medical aid no matter how small or serious the issue.

In the U.K., everyone has the right to receive health care. While this may be too unrealistic in a nation so large as the U.S., it begs the question over whether such coverage should ever be a right or a privilege.