This past November, Morgan Craig, a sophomore at Sacred Heart University, became a United States citizen along with her family.
“When we moved to the U.S., we came on a visa and then got a green card and every five years that you have your green card, you are eligible to become a citizen,” said Craig. “We decided to apply for our citizenship in April. We didn’t even get a date for a test until July, then took the test in August, and didn’t get sworn in until November.”
Born to Canadian parents in Calgary, Canada, Craig’s family moved to the United States when she was 5 years old and has lived here ever since.
Craig’s older sister took the citizenship test separately from the rest of her family while her younger, 17-year-old sister was automatically given citizenship under her parents.
“Taking the citizenship test made us feel proud to be American and we are thankful for this opportunity as a family,” said Morgan Craig’s mother, Coralee Craig.
Source: Morgan Craig
Morgan Craig on the day of her swearing in ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Mass.
The test consists of 10 questions from a 100-question list and, to pass, applicants must answer six right.
“I honestly had to study way harder than I thought I was going to have to. I ended up doing the Quizlets online,” said Craig.
Craig said that her American education helped her when studying for the test.
“I took U.S. history in high school and my parents took Canadian history, so they knew how the government here worked but not the details of it, so they had to do a lot of studying,” she said.
“Our family worked together to study, and it definitely brought us closer,” said Morgan Craig’s dad, Donald Craig.
When Craig was not at home with her family, she also studied for the test with her friends and roommate at Sacred Heart University.
“Quizzing Morgan for the test made me realize how much I really don’t know, and that most Americans couldn’t even pass the test without studying,” said sophomore Lila Armstrong.
Craig said she is very grateful for the opportunities that finally being a U.S. citizen will bring.
“It’s just exciting to be a citizen. I’ve lived here for so long and never been one. I will be excited to vote when the time comes to vote,” said Craig.
On the day of the swearing in ceremony, the Craig family met people from all over the world.
“I met an 80-year-old woman who became a citizen that day. It was like she had a new life starting with her son here,” said Craig. “I met people from all over the world who barely spoke English and obviously came here in search of something better. I just feel very lucky.”
Craig said she was very humbled throughout the process, especially the day she was sworn in to become a citizen.
“When you’re born here you don’t realize what a privilege it is to be here,” said Craig. “I met people that day who were so excited their lives were changed completely that day. I think I took it for granted.”
