I am not an expat

I think oftentimes people who are native to the country they live in, forget that immigrants learning the language don't just do it for potential employment. I've been told time and time again, you don't need Finnish to work in Finland. Yes, I know. English, especially in Helsinki, can get you by.

However, I am not here just to "get by". I am here to assimilate. I am here to one day become a citizen. I am here to help my son with his homework. I am here to travel and speak the language and respect the traditions of the country I love and live in.

I want to get my citizenship. I have had a 10-year goal since I moved here. I am on year 5, I am starting to work toward that goal. I want to have an EU passport. I cannot rely on being American all the time. People immigrated to the US and learned English, assimilated and loved living there and growing their family. The way I see it is I am doing the same thing, just the other way around.

Remember, everyone has their own journey in life. We are here to support and help each other. I hope that I can get that B1 Finnish language level, pass my citizenship test and become a dual passport holder.

Mä oon Lauren. Asun Helsingissä ja kotimaa on Amerikka. Mun koti ja perhe ja ystävat on Suomessa. ❤