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Advantages Of Being An American/Canadian Dual Citizen

Oh Canada, my second home and native land.

Sophie Kaminski

Jul 10, 2017

Saint Mary's College - Indiana

117

Advantages Of Being An American/Canadian Dual Citizen

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My mom was born and raised in Canada; it wasn't until she married my dad that she moved to America and became an alien in this country. My brothers and I were born in America so we're American citizens, but we also hold Canadian citizenship thanks to our mom. Being a dual citizen is pretty awesome, and here's just a few reasons why:

Having two nationalities

Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be an American. I love my country and I will serve her until my final breath. But Canada also has my heart. Every attack on maple syrup and curling is a personal attack on me and I will stand on guard for thee. Ask me how many friendships I've considered ending over "eh" jokes.

Taking claim to their celebrities

Celine Dion? Yeah, she's from our country.

Nina Dobrev? I take claim.

Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds? 100% ours.

Justin Bieber? Sure ain't made in the USA.

Sandra Oh? Yup, even Dr. Yang is from the true north.

Never being disappointed during the Olympics

Winter olympics never fail to be entertaining, especially when hockey comes down to Canada versus the United States. Who do I cheer for? The Blackhawks are my babies so I should cheer for America, but half of them are Canadian and play for Team Canada during the Olympics. No matter what, I'm always proud of my countries. (But secretly, I would totally choose Canada if I had to.)

Knowing more trivia answers than your friends

Do you know what the capital of Canada is? Oh, it's Toronto? Wrong. It's Ottawa.

Who reigns over Canada? The current prime minister, Justin Trudeau? Nope. As a figurehead, it's officially Queen Elizabeth.

Having a second home

I can't begin to describe how it feels crossing Ambassador Bridge and saying "I'm hoooomeeee." I may just know my way around a few towns in Canada better than I know my way around my hometown. Having favorite places to go and stores to shop at immediately makes me feel like I'm home.

No American understands how amazing our food is

Ketchup chips. Coffee Crisp. Butter tarts. Poutine. Fish & chips. Tim Horton's (is so much better than Dunkin' Donuts.) Ah Caramel. Smarties. Aero. Jos Louis.

Celebrating double the holidays

Who wouldn't want to celebrate two independence days?

Having a giant Thanksgiving dinner in October and November is always a plus.

No American understand Boxing Day either and it's getting old explaining it - it'll stay our little secret, okay, Canada?

Colorful Currency

Loonie = 1 dollar coin

Toonie = 2 dollar coin

You may make fun of us for our "stupid monopoly money," but who looks stupid when they have to shift through all their money because they can't immediately pick up a blue $5, a purple $10, or a green $20?

Having an incredible family

It really stinks not being able to grow up seeing both sides of my family constantly, but that makes every trip up to Canada all the more worth while. Because it was such a large amount of time between visits, I would grow an inch or two every time I saw my family. Every single time I walked into my grandparents' house my Papa would always say "Oh my goodness! A celebrity just walked into my house!" and he told me every day "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you my dear, are beautiful." When I was little I would always take a nap lying on my Grandma's lap while we were watching t.v., and to this day I still do every time I go up to visit. It's the little things that make the trips the most incredible few days of the year. I also have wonderful cousins up there who I'm blessed to know - all I can say is thank God for Skype!

I'm more than blessed to be a Canadian citizen, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Advantages Of Being An American/Canadian Dual Citizen

Oh Canada, my second home and native land.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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