Graduation

Another thing that has taken up my time a lot lately, is to study for my Citizenship interview. A few weeks ago already, I had my last evening in the Citizenship course, and the teacher finished off with holding an interview with all of us, asking us questions like it would be for "real". I did well, even if the teacher "embarrassed" me with asking me to sing the national anthem! I don't have a wonderful singing voice, but still, I did it..At least I knew the words, but I also know that I won't get any bookings for singing at any sport events in the future...:)

Something that I didn't know by heart was the "Preamble" which wasn't really required either. The question was what are the first three words..which are "We the people.." those I knew, but as she wanted to test me, she asked me for the rest. Still, after answering a couple of other questions, she said that I would have passed any interview, which felt very good.

 

The teacher had decorated the room very patriotic and it was nice to have such a great finish to this course. Everyone had pitched in to bring a few side dishes and we had a nice meal with a cake for dessert to finish this off. I know have everything filled out that I need to have to send in to get an appointment for my interview. I had planned to hold off on this until I got back from Sweden in August, as my husband wouldn't be here when it was time to go to Phoenix for the interview, as he was supposed to go to San Diego for a 7 week Staff Academy. If I would have sent it in now, and gotten an appointment early or even during the weeks that I'm in Sweden, I would be put in the very bottom of the pile again if I couldn't show up. To get this progress going, I rather go right away when I can get an appointment, but they just can't say how long that will take from sending in your paperwork. Sometimes it goes fast, sometimes it takes a few months before they call you for an appointment for the interview.

The next steps in this process will be for me to send in my paperwork with the $685.00 process fee, then wait for an interview. When that is done, and I have passed, I will have to wait for another appointment for taking the oath, and receiving my American Citizenship on paper. After that, I'm an American Citizen. Or rather, A Naturalized American Citizen. Then I will have to apply for an American Passport and when I have that, I don't have to worry about anything anymore with extra cost of getting a new Green Card or having to pay a lot of money for getting a renewed Swedish Passport, which isn't that easy when you live far from Washington D.C. I will be so happy when this process is over and done with! In one way, I wish that I could have gone in for an interview the same week as I had finish this course, as everything was still fresh in mind and I would have felt very confident going in for the interview. But, on the other hand, I have everything I need to practice and review before the big day.

Citizenship

Tonight, I started my class in preparation to become a Naturalized American Citizen. Since I've been living here in the US for more than five years, I'm entitled to apply. Actually, since I'm married to a US citizen and living here, I could have done it after three years, but due to moving around, it was never that simple or even on my mind until now. I happened to come across a class that prepares you for the test, teaches US history and government and also helps you to fill out applications. 

The class will be once - twice a week for six weeks, depending on demand and need. The teacher told us that we will cover everything that we need to know, and even if you nowadays can access all the information online, that you can study the 100 questions online and prepare on your own, I feel that it's not the same as actually taking a class. I was lucky that this class is held on Monday nights, as every other week my husband is off Mondays. Today he came home earlier, so I could be there in time, of course it's on the other side of town. But, tonight we decided that the hours would be better between 6.30-9pm, so he doesn't even have to take off early, just make sure he leaves on time, and skip gym that day, and we'll make it without babysitters. Luckily, he is now also on day shift for some time, otherwise it would be very difficult for me. To not be here at bedtime for the kids, is not an option.

I'm now very happy about finding this class for preparing for the citizen ship test, and I'm going to be busy, but so worth it in the end! The cost will not go down for the application to become a naturalized citizen, so I just rather do it now, and get it over with. Hopefully it won't take that long, but you just never know, how long they will process it. The teacher said, that from applying, getting called for the fingerprinting, to be called for an appointment for the test, to the ceremony, it normally takes at least 3 months. So we'll see! Wish me luck and if anyone of you have gone through this process, any tips or info is more than welcome!

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

—from the Fourteenth Amendment.