Any of my fellow Canadians feel a letdown after their oath ceremony?

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

It's funny, I went through five years of hell to become an American citizen (finally made it last week) but now I am experiencing anticlimactic feelings. Wonder if this is normal. My swearing-in ceremony wasn't at all what I expected. I envisioned a solemn occasion with the sounds of soft sobbing from new citizens all around me. Instead it seemed hurried, casual, and void of any pomp or pageantry. A number of people actually came late and several didn't bother adhering to the dress code as explained in the interview letter. Maybe when I get my passport this will all sink in. Still, I'm glad it's all over and believe me, there were times when it felt like I would never get to this point.

[housewife 1]

Congrats on becoming a new american. I am a born american and I welcome you to the USA whole hartedly.

My DH cannot wait till he can become american.

I think you will come to realize what it means to be an american citizen over time. I don't think it's the ceremony that makes you feel american, it's the pride that will come to you in small subtle ways.

Trust me you will feel it and you know what feels the best. When you leave the country and some nice immigration and customs officer takes your passport and says "welcome home". When that happened to me and I was born in the USA, my heart swelled and I felt so proud. It happened over 20 years ago and I still remember it and feel it in my heart.

Congrats and welcome to the USA. I wish you much much luck and health and success.

[candn 17]

The ceremonies today are not like those of the past. It is treated as just another formality in the eyes of many. What it means to be American is what is in the heart not by the proceedings of the ceremony.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

It's funny, I went through five years of hell to become an American citizen (finally made it last week) but now I am experiencing anticlimactic feelings. Wonder if this is normal. My swearing-in ceremony wasn't at all what I expected. I envisioned a solemn occasion with the sounds of soft sobbing from new citizens all around me. Instead it seemed hurried, casual, and void of any pomp or pageantry. A number of people actually came late and several didn't bother adhering to the dress code as explained in the interview letter. Maybe when I get my passport this will all sink in. Still, I'm glad it's all over and believe me, there were times when it felt like I would never get to this point.

I'm not there yet, but I can imagine how you feel - you've been on point for the last 5 years through all the immigration stuff and now - you're done. That's it, that's all. It's hard to come down to a normal level after all this.

I think it's wonderful that now you don't have to worry about all the little details you have for the last few years...where the GC is at all times, the next round of biometrics (not that you'll miss that ) blah blah blah

The late arrivers are just knobs and they undoubtedly are like that throughout life - don't let them ruin what was special for you.

[Sprailenes 47]

I thought the K1 interview was anticlimactic. I wanted like a Darth Vadar like guy in a chair - sort of Dr. Claw's chair on Inspector Gadget asking me questions... tapping his fingers in a methodical manner while deciding my fate.

[lgg 2]

Yeah, I thought the same thing! I was so freaking nervous and it was so chill. That being said, don't worry about that feeling, revel in the fact that you're all done! I cannot wait to be at the point where I never have to worry about immigration again. Never. I'll have my two passports, my two citizenships and I can just go about my life without forever wondering what stage I'm at, the waiting, the wondering and the collecting of data.

Congrats, you're in a good place.

I thought the K1 interview was anticlimactic. I wanted like a Darth Vadar like guy in a chair - sort of Dr. Claw's chair on Inspector Gadget asking me questions... tapping his fingers in a methodical manner while deciding my fate.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Just happy to be done with the process!!

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

Congrats - can't wait to be in that spot myself!

[Ontarkie 14,522]

Congrats

[Chickaflick 0]

Congratulations, what a trip! You should feel so proud of yourself for surviving the process!!! I'm proud of you just for that alone! I'm sure it will sink in for you when you go vote!

[Krikit 1,165]

Congratulations on gaining your citizenship!

I find that society, in general, has become more casual in their approach to solemn or formal occasions. I'm like you..... I prefer the formal to remain formal. Except for having to wear fancy gloves to church or on the airplane. I'm glad that's not the rule anymore. Except for the germs. They'd still come in handy for the germs.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It's funny, I went through five years of hell to become an American citizen (finally made it last week) but now I am experiencing anticlimactic feelings. Wonder if this is normal. My swearing-in ceremony wasn't at all what I expected. I envisioned a solemn occasion with the sounds of soft sobbing from new citizens all around me. Instead it seemed hurried, casual, and void of any pomp or pageantry. A number of people actually came late and several didn't bother adhering to the dress code as explained in the interview letter. Maybe when I get my passport this will all sink in. Still, I'm glad it's all over and believe me, there were times when it felt like I would never get to this point.

Ah, I'm sorry that your ceremony wasn't more special. They should definitely put some effort into making it feel like the special event that it is and it doesn't sound like they did that with yours at all. . I know that each location is responsible for planning their own oath ceremonies.

I know that my ceremony actually felt like a ceremony. It wasn't rushed (there was a lot of waiting!); the director of the USCIS office in Atlanta spoke for a few minutes; we had 3 members of the armed forces becoming citizens and they were asked to stand up for a special recognition (they were in their uniforms). There was a recounting of the importance of citizenship, an acknowledgment of the long road to get there, a recognition of the many different countries of origin (everyone was asked to stand up when their country was named). We watched a video about early immigrating citizens and about the USA as well as watching a welcoming speech from President Obama. We said the Oath of Allegiance and we sang the National Anthem. We had little flags to wave, a booklet from the Archives on early citizens; a copy of the Constitution and some other papers on our chairs that were ours to keep. For me, it was a nice and moving ceremony, not so much solemn but respectful and memorable.

The next day I was surprised to have a totally different sense of belonging - kind of like knowing 'this is now mine' even though I have been here over 5 years at the time. In a way I felt like I now had a responsibility to make this as good as I can - that I was now a participant in the US and not just an observer.

Hopefully, as you go through the process of getting your passport and receive your new SSN card and DL, and register to vote it will all sink in. Do remember to register to vote at least 30 days before the November election as you can't vote unless you do. Casting my votes in the primaries this past summer - now that is when it doubly struck home that I am now a US citizen (and proud to be a Canadian as well).

edited to add:

Oh, and I just remembered, while we were waiting for the processing prior to the ceremony they told one young man seated a few seats down from me who was wearing jeans to go and put on something more appropriate. He left and came rushing back about 40 minutes later (I said we waited a long time ). He told everyone that he lived too far away to go and change so he went to the near by shopping mall and bought a new pair of pants to wear instead.

Edited September 9, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Congrats on being rid of USCIS forever!

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

Oh, and I just remembered, while we were waiting for the processing prior to the ceremony they told one young man seated a few seats down from me who was wearing jeans to go and put on something more appropriate. He left and came rushing back about 40 minutes later (I said we waited a long time ). He told everyone that he lived too far away to go and change so he went to the near by shopping mall and bought a new pair of pants to wear instead.

Wow your ceremony could not have been more different than mine! I definitely would have preferred what you had (even with the dude who had to buy new pants--too funny!). There was a young woman at mine who came late and was wearing a pair of capri leggings and a ratty old T-shirt. It almost looked like she had been working out and then suddenly remembered she needed to be sworn in. I realize not everyone has the money to get dressed to the nines but for something like this, you can borrow an outfit or go to the Goodwill store and get something a little more appropriate. I thought generally the way people were dressed sort of took away from the occasion. As a previous VJer commented, our society is just more casual these days. I need to get over it!

Thanks for writing. I registered to vote immediately after the ceremony and have volunteered to work at a polling station. My passport should be here any day so hopefully I'm going to have a bit of a paradigm shift any moment!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Congratulations at becoming a citizen. Perhaps you and your husband can do something ceremonial. If not right now, at least start making plans for it. A special trip or something.

At least you know your done!