I believe that I would take the initiative to become active in my new country's culture, but I don't think that I could give up my American citizenship. I've always been interested how other individuals in different cultures (with respect to my own) live: what they eat, how they speak, what they wear, what religions are present, how their government works, and what their background is. Out of respect and humility, I would attempt to immerse myself, as far as clothes, cuisine, politics, and background knowledge. I'm not sure about religion. That is still a grey area; perhaps if I thought the country's main religion had a belief system that was more representative of my person, I would consider changing. It's tentative. But I suppose then I must answer another question: If I do not declare citizenship of my new country, have I truly integrated myself? I would still venture to say that I had. Being a citizen of a country is not just having a piece of paper that says so. It involves pride, faith, and loyalty. I don't know how to state this without sounding cheesy, but I am proud to be from America. Even if I move to Sudan, I will still remember my roots and embrace them. I don't know if I want to completely erase my past heritage because it is still an underlying part of my present and future.
-Abigail (Abbey) Lawrence J
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