My best friend (for 25 years) feel I am dismissing my nationality...?

Question

because I am applying for an Australian citizenship.
When I told her (she lives in Peru and now and then we talk over the phone) that I will apply for an australian citizenship because I have to much to thank to this country and I want to be completely full involved with it, she just said "Oh, ok, so you are dismissing your roots". I felt weird but I know she can't understand my feelings because she never lived outside Peru, and now she feels that I am dismissing my own roots and my people. I tried to explain her that my background, my roots nobody can take them away, I will always be the same, but she just don't understand. And that makes me feel sad. What can I do? What can I tell her so she can understand that someone can be grateful to a country different from your birth one, but that doesn't mean that I am leaving my roots aside?

Amy D · Accepted Answer

She is most likley just feeling like you are going to just be gone and not care about them anymore is how it sounds to me. i'd say just give it some time and once she relizes thats not what your doing she will be ok with it and even happy for you that you are doing something you truly believe in.

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe they just need some time for it to sink in.  Reassure them that you still hold dear to your heart of where you came from and that you want to add to your life experience of being an Australian citizenship.  Provided that the two countries allow dual citizenship, you should be fine.  If you are swapping one for another, that maybe the reason why she is upset.  She may feel that you are leaving or abandoning not only your heritage but her as well.  Often when people say one thing, it is often something else that is really bothering them.

My best friend (for 25 years) feel I am dismissing my nationality...?

2 Answers