Like most major choices in life, the decision to become an Australian citizen isn’t especially easy to make, even when immigrants are enthusiastic about the benefits they can expect to receive for themselves and for their families after the naturalization process. Aside from the many practical aspects of changing one’s citizenship, immigrants are often faced with a number of emotional and sentimental challenges as they consider the process of becoming an Aussie. In particular, some people may feel as though going through with the Australian citizenship application means that they are relinquishing not only their former citizenship status, but also their former land and the experiences and relationships gathered there. Of course, in essence, only those aspects which a person decides to case aside are actually left behind, and it’s perfectly possible for new Australian citizens to retain their sense of national identity while also incorporating their new lives into the mix.Still, the decision to apply for citizenship in Australia implies some measure of finality, and of the idea tat a person has made a conscious and willing choice to become more involved with the state of Australia. Sometimes, the mere language surrounding the citizenship test, application forms, and other pieces of paperwork can be daunting for immigrants; becoming a “permanent” resident may seem to suggest that a person is forever ridding themselves of their former identity and is committing to a lifetime of citizenship in a new country. While indeed many people choose to live out their lives in Australia after obtaining citizenship, it is not impossible to seek out citizenship in other countries later on in life, and the matter of permanence is mostly a concern for the sake of record-keeping and other impersonal issues.
For many immigrants, the finality of the Australian citizenship application is actually a welcome thing. As it can be difficult to integrate with the local community and feel a sense of belonging as an immigrant, the choice to put in an application and work towards permanent citizenship helps many immigrants both physically and mentally declare themselves as Australians and worthy of the same services, social treatment, and benefits as others in the same area. Though it can be somewhat intimidating to take this leap, those who have decided that Australia is the right country for them can gain a sense of accomplishment and purpose through putting pen to paper and submitting their application for citizenship.
Australian citizenship may sound final, but the contrast between this finality and the sometimes chaotic, undecided status of simply being a “foreigner” can be a great comfort, especially to families with children who are hoping to settle and develop in a new land. When the citizenship test has been completed, all the forms have been filled out, and new citizens work towards building a life in the Australian nation, they’re bound to find that the decision they’ve made, however final, was a wise one.
nachin
Becoming citizen is a big decision for all immigrants. Is the final stage of a long started process where our identity and sense of belonging shifts to the new country. is not always a thought process but a natural sense of preservation.
good article. i agree with it 100%. leaving your citizenship of origin is not easy. in a way, you are leaving behind your country, your culture, your history
It will be a relief for me indeed. Felling you are not from here not from there either is something difficult to bare.
When you can’t go back to your country you rely on the good you might find in the new nation you approach. Always with respect and a feeling of gratitude. Thanks Australia!
Becoming a citizen eradicates the feeling of foreigner till a certain point. One cannot forget its roots. and with those roots comes accent while speaking, looks, heritage and so on.
It is common to find Australians that hang on to those details to make you feel a foreing.
But life is just like that. people come and go, some need to fly their countries. Some can stay forever.