I looked at a photo of an útlevél every day. Now I'm putting my new passport to good use!
Yes, I'm one of those types who has a vision board -- photos that represent my goals, arranged in a pretty way, on my laptop screen, so that every time I open it, I can envision my dreams.
For many years, a photo of a Hungarian passport was right in the middle of my virtual vision board. Whenever I did anything on my laptop, I saw that picture. It truly helped keep me inspired for many years, especially on the very early mornings when I woke up to study Hungarian before starting my work day.
But as I wrote in a previous post, the process of getting my Hungarian citizenship became much more than the quest for an EU passport.
Still, getting this document was an exciting moment. And even more fun: using it to travel to Hungary, from whence I write this post! Going through the EU passport line was cool.
This is the first time I've been back to Hungary since my citizenship ceremony, and it feels very different coming here as an official Hungarian. For one thing, I'm way more relaxed! My previous visits to Hungary involved bringing paperwork, meeting with government officials, doing or practicing my citizenship interviews, meeting with the consultants helping me with my application and, in general, doing everything I could to help my citizenship journey proceed. My previous trips to Hungary were fun, but also a lot of work.
I also remember being stressed on those trips, when I didn't understand all of the Hungarian language. Not being fluent made me question my language abilities and fear my citizenship language interviews.
But this time, I can just relax and visit with my friends. And as a result, of course, I am feeling much more comfortable speaking in Hungarian to everyone I meet! And I'm pretty good at it!
A few other benefits:
It's fun! I'm ridiculously carrying my passport everywhere to show it to my Hungarian friends.... as if they haven't seen one before! Still, they are all very kind and seem to enjoy my excitement.
I can vote! I registered online and will get a ballot in the mail in the US. There are currently elections coming up, so I'm paying attention to the issues, and even was able to watch a debate on TV here last night.
Discounts! Some things, like the Hungarian Parliament tour, have discounts for Hungarian citizens with an ID card (you get the ID card the day you have your citizenship ceremony.)
Belonging and Responsibility! Sure, in many ways I still feel like a visitor here in Hungary. I am on vacation, don't have to go to work, am still learning my way around and still enjoy sightseeing. But being a citizen brings a certain feeling that this is my home too. I feel responsible for helping Hungary be the best it can be. And it's already pretty awesome! But I now feel a part of that and I feel very proud.
For those of you who are persuing your Hungarian citizenship, I can recommend doing anything you can do to stay inspired, like, for example, looking at a photo of a Hungarian passport many times a day. It worked for me! And when your goal finally becomes a reality, it all makes sense. Keep going! You can do it!
Üdvözlettel,
Tara
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