It’s my favorite part of the journey. Despite my bleary eyes, and desire to stretch my legs, the seatbelt sign indicates our imminent arrival. I fasten the clasp with a soft click, as the plane starts its descent. The foggy porthole window needs a wipe, and I free it of condensation. I catch my breath in awe of the palette of pink, orange, and pale yellow that signals the Australian sky. “Incoming passenger card, Mate?” the flight attendant smiles as he hands it to me. As I begin to read, I stop, and pause suddenly, unsure of what box to check. Am I a visiting foreign national, or a citizen returning home? The question stumps me, and the passport in my pocket pokes at my thigh, reminding me that I am an American citizen, too. While I live in America, each year I visit Australia to reconnect with my Australian family.

I have been making this journey for the past sixteen years, and every time I return to my other “home”, I dance the same dance. Who am I? And where do I belong? Am I more Australian, or equal parts Australian, and American? My birth certificate reflects that I was born in Seattle, Washington. Therefore, I am one hundred percent an authentic American. However, I also have another certificate that states I am “Australian by Descent". Thank you Google, for explaining to me what this means; that I was born outside of Australia to an Australian citizen.

“So, I’m only Australian, because you’re Australian?” I ask my dad. “No, Maisie, you’re Australian, because of your genetics” he says. The term for people like me, is called “Dual citizen”. Dual means “consisting of two parts”. It is true, I have two passports, two homes, and family and friends in two places. “You’re so lucky”, my friends say. “I’d love to go to Australia!” My Australian cousins say “You’re so lucky, you live in America.”

Sometimes it does my head in. The backward and forward, the coming and going, the push and the pull, the hellos and goodbyes. “Dual” feels more like “duel” and I picture myself “dueling” with the two parts of myself. I could write the script verbatim. My family is in the departure line at Brisbane International Airport, and we’re heading for home (America). With passports in hand, we’re checked in, and ready to go, but there’s the usual hold up.

A customer service representative loudly declares, “I have a family of dual’s here!” I feel all eyes on me, like I’m under a spotlight. I stop, and pause suddenly, holding my breath until we are cleared to leave. Sometimes, I just want it to be simple. I want to have one home, one passport, one citizenship. However, I am then reminded of the hard work my dad put into immigrating to America. The extra study, additional examinations, and further qualifications he obtained to be better at his profession. Additionally, my parents are always quick to point out the positives, and for them it’s the people they have met, the friends they have made and the richness of experience it has given us all.

When I listen to the news, and I hear the current conversation about ending dual citizenship, I suddenly feel scared to lose it. I realize these two parts of myself, while conflicting at times, are also complimentary; they make me who I am. Moreso, it’s given me a deeper appreciation of others, an ability to meet people where they are, and most importantly, to value alternate perspectives whether they are American, Australian, or others. I’m grateful for my unique identity, and I intend to use it to the best of my ability, for the benefit of others. Who knows, maybe I’ll be the first female President someday.

© Maisie . All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.