The Australian Heart

Becoming citizen is a big step for every human being. It reflects the final stage of a very deep change in ones mind and heart. In a way the person that applies to become citizen of any nation is leaving a part of his identity behind. “The start of a new life” some may say.

In our case, Australians, this is a long process that takes around 4 or 5 years to develop. Not only because we have to wait that long to become real Assuies, because is about that much time until Australia gets into your blood. For many the symbol of becoming Australian is upon the approval of the citizenship test, for others is the Oath. Suddenly becoming a citizen of a nation that has a Queen as symbol of their hopes, land and constitution might seem odd.

The majority of our immigrants usually come from countries like Pakistan, the Philippines, Latin America or India, many of which are so rich in culture and landscape. Still is Australia they fall in love with. Not only because of the economical stability of the social security our nation has, because Aussi is just beautiful. It has a unique zoology; there is nowhere else in the world you can find kangaroos, Koalas and wombats. Unique

Our landscape has variety of shapes and for all tastes. You have snowy mountains in Kosciusko National Park to the most wonderful beaches in New South Wales. The always blue ocean against the red deserts full of wonderful creatures.

It is usual to find immigrant that have more knowledge about Australian history and culture than national Aussies. And there is more than one explanation to that. One may thing that the sole reason is tight to the citizenship test. Immigrants need to study facts of history, economics, politics and cultural relevance for Australia. We are also instructed in our civil rights and obligations, so it makes complete sense that sometimes an immigrant has all that fresh content in their mind book, one may think that’s the only reason. We new comers know better. Australia is our nation of heart. We choose to become Australians for specific reasons, we are comfortable here, we are happy to be part of this big nation, is a choice not a birth burden. New Australians feel their nationality as a big decision. That’s why the symbol of an Oath or a citizenship test means a victory for every immigrant. It just tells to the world that we have earned the right to become Australians and so will our children and family. Is the country in our harts, the choice we made to be part of the Australian spirit.

Citizenship is not only in paper, citizenship is on your heart. The Australian Heart.