If I may ask, how was the behavior of immigration officers at European airports with you? Did you still feel any discrimination despite holding a Canadian passport? Or did they let you in without much questioning? Just asking because my country's people tend to get grilled a lot in Europe. lol.
What am I expecting to happen? I don’t think you understood well what kind of stories I had in mind. For example, what has changed in your mindset, how do people treat you now that you’re citizen, what positive changes do you notice when you’re abroad and you tell people you’re Canadian? Or how successfully have you adapted to the local culture, what does it mean to you to belong to Canada? Do you respect your citizenship, have you become more active in the community? Do you also support Canadian things, while still valuing your home country’s culture? Do you like poutine (I love it), do you proudly display the Canadian flag at public events? These are the kinds of stories I had in mind. I will proudly carry Canadian citizenship.
Regardless whether you are within Canada or abroad, some people will continue to be skeptical if you are Canadian citizen. No matter how one successfully adapted to the local culture, we sometimes see hate crimes in Canada (especially during the Covid years).What am I expecting to happen? I don’t think you understood well what kind of stories I had in mind. For example, what has changed in your mindset, how do people treat you now that you’re citizen, what positive changes do you notice when you’re abroad and you tell people you’re Canadian? Or how successfully have you adapted to the local culture, what does it mean to you to belong to Canada? Do you respect your citizenship, have you become more active in the community? Do you also support Canadian things, while still valuing your home country’s culture? Do you like poutine (I love it), do you proudly display the Canadian flag at public events? These are the kinds of stories I had in mind. I will proudly carry Canadian citizenship.
I have also experienced discrimination, unfortunately, but it's still better than in my home country. I also see it as something that can happen anywhere, and once I become Canadian, I feel like I'll be able to stand up for myself better.
I met recently people from my own country who recently became Canadian citizens and they said that most Canadians do not see them as their equal. They're often asked where they're actually from. I am sorry but in Canada, you can never be a Canadian unless you're white. That's America! Sure some open minded Canadians might see you as their equal but unfortunately a majority of them only go by your skin color. In the US, nobody ever really ask you this question unless you have a very strange or thick accent. But in Canada, I've seen Canadians asking even people who are born here where they're actually from. Although in bigger cities, people do not care as much.
Exactly this. We should not seek validation of other people. We want to naturalize to improve our own lives. I want to become a Canadian to travel the world and to enjoy the privileges of a Canadian citizen. I am also very well aware that most likely the majority of Canadians will not see me as their equal. Should this stop me? No! It just allows me to seek friendships with people who are more open minded and will see me as their equal.
What about Europe or other first world countries like the UK? Did you feel the same way?
In my case, I went from the frequent "random" checks to a seemless experience. The color of the passport definitely made a difference here.
Did you already have a Western sounding name? I guess Europe has less strict immigration than US.
