On Becoming British

“How much did this certificate cost you?” a guy I met at the council asked me the other day.

I pause.

I always knew when I graduated nursing school that at some point, I was going to go abroad to work. But it wasn’t until I finished reading the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert when this little bird decided it was time to leave the nest and go see the world.

Fast forward to many years later, here we are. I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of bittersweet nostalgia as I pledged my oath of allegiance to the Queen and to the country I now call home. Contrary to what some people think, living abroad isn’t all butterflies and rainbows. It has been one really, really long journey to get to where I am today.

Six years worth of blood, sweat and tears. Six years of being away from family and those dearest to me. But in these six long years, came about so many beautiful things, too.

New friendships.

Valuable life lessons.

Amazing adventures.

Wonderful memories.

Self discovery.

Exponential growth.

That is what this piece of paper stands for. And that, for me is what makes it so priceless.