Anyone else feel this way?

[JoeCanuk 3]

I wasn't sure what forum to put this in but it has to do with after becoming a citizen. I've been a US citizen since last year and I'm a Canadian citizen too. Therein lies the problem. Sometimes I am proud to be a citizen of two great countries. Other times I still feel like I don't belong here and that I'm not even Canadian anymore.

Anyone else struggle with these feelings? Thanks.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Not alone at all. I'm not even a USC yet but I already cop a bit of flack for "turning American". My dad didn't have the best opinion of "Yanks" (as many don't when they're his age) so even finding out I was engaged to a "yank" was fun. My sister's a bit of a snob about me living here (jealously? maybe...) and other people have their opinions about what American's are like and that's that.

My thoughts tend to center around how I felt my last visit home. I wasn't entirely a "proper" Aussie anymore, that much was pointed out to me, and neither here, with my accent, am I an American (trust me, I get asked on the phone every day where I'm from and my colleague laughs when I say "Iowa" ).

That said, you (and hopefully me eventually) are one of the lucky ones. If you want to move back to Canada, you can. if you want to stay here in the US you can. You don't have to be "American" and you don't have to be "Canadian". You are both and that means a combination.. so you're right, you're a Canadian American, not just one or the other. You have quirks from both sides of the border that meld to become who you are.

[JoeCanuk 3]

Not alone at all. I'm not even a USC yet but I already cop a bit of flack for "turning American". My dad didn't have the best opinion of "Yanks" (as many don't when they're his age) so even finding out I was engaged to a "yank" was fun. My sister's a bit of a snob about me living here (jealously? maybe...) and other people have their opinions about what American's are like and that's that.

My thoughts tend to center around how I felt my last visit home. I wasn't entirely a "proper" Aussie anymore, that much was pointed out to me, and neither here, with my accent, am I an American (trust me, I get asked on the phone every day where I'm from and my colleague laughs when I say "Iowa" ).

That said, you (and hopefully me eventually) are one of the lucky ones. If you want to move back to Canada, you can. if you want to stay here in the US you can. You don't have to be "American" and you don't have to be "Canadian". You are both and that means a combination.. so you're right, you're a Canadian American, not just one or the other. You have quirks from both sides of the border that meld to become who you are.

Thank you for your kind words. Yeah my family picks on me too. Even my brother in law gives me flak about being a yank and so is his dad! lol Think I'm just feeling a bit homesick for my old country I guess. Even looking into doing graduate school back in my hometown.

[lynndy38 64]

Awwww guys,

The entire process of falling in love with a citizen of another country then moving to that country is more complicated that I bet any of us ever thought it would be way back in the beginning.

Personally Im thinking of getting a dual citizenship(can I even do that?) I am soooooo rubbish at this,anyway what my husband and I have always loved about each other is that we love our own countries so much.........and each others so if I can have both then YAY!!!!

I think homesickness will play a huge part in how you're feeling. I'd imagine its hard to be transplanted into a totally new environment. I'm worried about that too.....its natural you begin to think about where you've felt safe and familiar in the past.

I love the idea that you're Canadian/American Australian/American how cool is that to have influences from another culture and country!!!

[JoeCanuk 3]

Awwww guys,

The entire process of falling in love with a citizen of another country then moving to that country is more complicated that I bet any of us ever thought it would be way back in the beginning.

Personally Im thinking of getting a dual citizenship(can I even do that?) I am soooooo rubbish at this,anyway what my husband and I have always loved about each other is that we love our own countries so much.........and each others so if I can have both then YAY!!!!

I think homesickness will play a huge part in how you're feeling. I'd imagine its hard to be transplanted into a totally new environment. I'm worried about that too.....its natural you begin to think about where you've felt safe and familiar in the past.

I love the idea that you're Canadian/American Australian/American how cool is that to have influences from another culture and country!!!

Thanks. Yeah I think you can become a dual citizen coming from Britain. I didn't realize that it would be hard sometimes but I've found it out. Just gotta keep livin' I guess.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

.... (trust me, I get asked on the phone every day where I'm from and my colleague laughs when I say "Iowa" ).

I don't think they are laughing in ridicule. They just think you are adorably fascinating and entertaining with that accent. Americans love British an Aussie accents.

This topic reminds me of a conversation my husband and I had this week. He was asking about something on the DVR. I said i saved it for him because it was really interesting and all about his Queen. He said, "I don't have a Queen. I have a President." I think he has totally embraced America. It doesn't mean he likes the guns, or terrible drivers, but feels like it's home. . He probably doesn't have as wonderful friends and family like you guys do, because he doesn't get homesick at all. I think he just landed in a new family and place and job that thinks he is bloody amazing, so it's way more appealing than his previous boring life. My grown kids hug him, say 'Love You', and take him out on Father's Day. Yeah, way more attention than from the Brits. So if you miss home, you probably have awesome people there and that's a blessing.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I don't think they are laughing in ridicule. They just think you are adorably fascinating and entertaining with that accent. Americans love British an Aussie accents.

This topic reminds me of a conversation my husband and I had this week. He was asking about something on the DVR. I said i saved it for him because it was really interesting and all about his Queen. He said, "I don't have a Queen. I have a President." I think he has totally embraced America. It doesn't mean he likes the guns, or terrible drivers, but feels like it's home. . He probably doesn't have as wonderful friends and family like you guys do, because he doesn't get homesick at all. I think he just landed in a new family and place and job that thinks he is bloody amazing, so it's way more appealing than his previous boring life. My grown kids hug him, say 'Love You', and take him out on Father's Day. Yeah, way more attention than from the Brits. So if you miss home, you probably have awesome people there and that's a blessing.

Oh no I didn't mean to imply in a mean way! She laughs because she will often hear me say "Australia" on the phone, followed by "I married an American" etc etc One of the days I had someone quite rudely interrupt their friend who was talking and ask me where I was from, I said smiled and said "Iowa" followed by an explanation. I didn't realise my colleague had heard me till I went past her desk and she was laughing so hard she was crying. From then on when anyone asks her where I'm from she says "Iowa, but her accent is Australian".

Personally Im thinking of getting a dual citizenship(can I even do that?)

Yep you can!

By the time I (hopefully) get USC I'll be a Scottish Australian American I am Scottish by descent so I'm more "Aussie" but I still identify myself as Scottish. A lot of my mannerism, language and behaviour come from my Scottish fathers influence. I am very lucky

[Cattledog 0]

I'm not even a USC yet but I already cop a bit of flack for "turning American".

and other people have their opinions about what American's are like and that's that.

I'm in the same boat, and I haven't even left Australia yet! My step-dad is the USC and we've gone back there for visits for Christmas & stuff since I was 11. I've always felt like America was my second home, and I've always considered myself Australian American. But in saying that, I've actually had several arguments with 'friends' over moving to the US. All the usual arguments, "Americans are rude", "you'll get shot", "you'll be poor" etc.

For a long, long time now I haven't felt very Australian, can't stand many Aussie things.. I don't think I ever actually felt like this is where I belong. But I definitely think the US is more suited for me. But no one understands my wanting to move there, so it's frustrating.

The only Aussie part of me is my Aussie cattle dog who will be coming along as well! Can't wait to move!

[TBoneTX 45,266]

He said, "I don't have a Queen. I have a President."

Nothing like going from "ruling the waves" to becoming a mere Colonist, no man.

OP, you could have it worse, si man. You could be married to an immigrant who, immediately after becoming a naturalized citizen, began exhibiting traits of a (stereotypical) born Americana of the type that I forswore on (no fooling) 1 April 2006 before I began looking internationally. After just a little of this, I think to myself, "You spent thousands of bucks and 5.5 years for what you could have gotten immediately if you'd stayed on the same fruitless dating path?" Sigh, man.

Of course, upon her receiving her naturalization certificate, I did serenade her in mangled Spanish, si man:

(to the tune of La Cucaracha (The Cockroach)

Ciudada-NA, ciudada-NA (si man si man),

Puede joder esposo;

Ciudada-NA, ciudada-NA (si man si man),

Americana siempre.

Translation:

Female citizen, female citizen (si man si man),

Is able to nag her husband;

Female citizen, female citizen (si man si man),

A female American always.

Edited February 22, 2013 by TBoneTX

[Lou29 5]

Oh no I didn't mean to imply in a mean way! She laughs because she will often hear me say "Australia" on the phone, followed by "I married an American" etc etc One of the days I had someone quite rudely interrupt their friend who was talking and ask me where I was from, I said smiled and said "Iowa" followed by an explanation. I didn't realise my colleague had heard me till I went past her desk and she was laughing so hard she was crying. From then on when anyone asks her where I'm from she says "Iowa, but her accent is Australian".

Yep you can!

By the time I (hopefully) get USC I'll be a Scottish Australian American I am Scottish by descent so I'm more "Aussie" but I still identify myself as Scottish. A lot of my mannerism, language and behaviour come from my Scottish fathers influence. I am very lucky

Wohoo, big up to us Scots! I think I actually feel more patriotic towards Scotland when I'm in America......maybe that's just cos I'm stubborn lol

The main thing that worries me is finding a job where people will understand me! I've been told I have a strong accent but I try to slow it down when I'm stateside to save myself repeating myself over and over!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Wohoo, big up to us Scots! I think I actually feel more patriotic towards Scotland when I'm in America......maybe that's just cos I'm stubborn lol

The main thing that worries me is finding a job where people will understand me! I've been told I have a strong accent but I try to slow it down when I'm stateside to save myself repeating myself over and over!

Yep to slowing down! I had to REALLY slow down my speech. When I get excited I speed back up again and I think people laugh when I do only because they have no idea what I'm saying

[NikLR 13,227]

This thought has run through my head ever since I decided to move to the USA. I debate always if I actually want US citizenship, even though I know it'll make life easier. I'm am proudly Canadian. 8th generation. That said our family is originally from Scotland on both sides, plus I had an English great-grandmother and a french grandmother on the other side. I'm a war internally. No wonder I'm so volatile and relate well to red hair! LOL

But still. I worry that becoming a US citizen will somehow make me less Canadian... I guess I should learn to embrace the fact that it will make me more, not less.

[B & G 200]

I have been a dual citizenship holder for many years now. Even though I was born in Greece to a Greek family, I grew up in Australia. Lived there from the age of 7 till 19. And for the passed 12 years I have been living in Greece. My Australian accent still holds true, thank god! lol!!

And when the time comes for me to apply for a US citizenship, I will do that too. My dad once told me, embrace the land you call home like its your own. But keep your heritage alive in your family and in your heart.

So I believe that becoming a US citizen, wont take away from my Greek heritage or from the Aussie land that raised me, but it will honor my husband's heritage and the land that will raise my children.

I think I will just end up calling myself a Greek-born Australian American!

[ecg19 7]

My dad once told me, embrace the land you call home like its your own. But keep your heritage alive in your family and in your heart.

That is such a wonderful saying, and exactly what I needed to read right now. Thank you for passing on your dad's wisdom

[kiwibelcanto 3]

Clearly I'm a bit late to the party, but I was looking around for a thread like this one. I just had my three year anniversary of living in the US, and I will be applying for citizenship in October. I used to be extremely homesick for New Zealand before I went there for a visit, and it was definitely a wake-up call. Nothing and nobody had really changed, but it was pretty apparent that I had, I even had my mum tell me that America has "hardened me", whatever that means.

Anyway, I don't really relate to friends and family back home anymore, which is a shame, but it's almost like they think I'm a traitor! I have a special few that I'm close with who I know would be very supportive if I moved back, but for the most part it would be like moving to a new country again. I love living in the US now, but it doesn't feel like that long ago I had no job, no car, no friends. We have a mortgage now and I've made some amazing friends through local theater and karaoke, but there is still that feeling that I don't really belong here, because I just can't seem to grasp the American mentality of making a big deal of everything, living to work instead of working to live, and the weird concept of everything needing to be better than it already is (how will they ever be happy?!).

I don't want to move back to NZ for fear of reverse culture shock, but I also don't want to stay in the US forever. So I'm a New Zealand American who doesn't really fit in anywhere. I want to establish my own town in the middle of nowhere and inhabit it with heaps of hybrids like myself :-)