A Commitment between Myself and the Ministry for Families and Integration/*OLAI. I recommend to take the journey!
‘Discover the history, customs, languages and values of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg!’
‘to learn one of the country’s languages, to follow a citizenship training course, to attend an orientation day’
‘Your advantages: discounted rate for language courses, free citizenship training course and orientation day, an exemption from one of the mandatory citizenship training courses for the acquisition of Luxembourg nationality, an acknowledgement towards a long-term residence permit’
November 2012 I made an enquiry. Motivated by our intention to stay indefinitely in Luxembourg, in support of our daughter Claire who starts Precoce this September and for myself so I don’t feel so much the foreigner without sufficient language or understanding of the multicultural Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. I felt no longer the capable and independent person I was in Australia. It was like I had returned to an earlier stage of being in a number of respects. Maybe you can relate when I share that I had my husband – who speaks German, English and French – make the appointments to organise a mortgage with our bank. I was just not operating at the same level. I stepped down as the BLC NL Editor to focus on this journey.
January 2013 I attended an information session, a 1on1 interview, decided to sign up and received my own folder complete with ID card. Apparently I was the first Australian to take the journey. Although I know there are other Skippys out there, perhaps the plan is to return home to brighter skies, warmer days and sea water. I can relate as a big part of an Australian’s way of life is to be outdoors all year round without the risk of freezing. OK, a sunburn is risky but a first in my life was being Vitamin D deficient some 18 months after arrival.
March 2013 I signed up for a special Museum Tour of the ABC Luxembourg with personal tour guide set up especially for journey goers.
May 2013 I attended two sessions of a Civic Course. There were 18 participants on the English speaking edition of the course. From as far north as Finland to as far south as Australia. Taking us on the journey was a Dane born in Luxembourg. The energy of the 19 people in the room on the day was positive and bursting with enthusiasm to share experiences, circumstances and aspirations for being in Luxembourg. It is surprisingly enriching to share such an event with people you’ve never met before but you are travelling on the same journey with. Some come form places you’ve never visited but yet here they are moving through similar challenges, highs and lows. It is a validating experience hearing the stories of these real life storytellers.
It made me realise something: While I know Luxembourg is the home of Luxembourgers and I am grateful for what I have lately been referring to as a ’paradise’ thanks to the vision and the openness to make Luxembourg a home for immigrates such as myself, it is the other immigrants that I am also strongly connected to due to the sheer number of us and our realisation that we are not alone, but part of a progressive and open society willing to take part in its progress and success. That extends itself in such a way that you are at times without a known experience of anything like it. I no longer feel the level of incapability and lack of independence as I’d known earlier. That I am not alone and there are others just like me on the journey that is made available by coming to Luxembourg. What you make of it is up to you. All you have to do is start the journey and you just can’t deny yourself the wonder that comes with being a new member of this Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
When the civic course ended on a sunny Saturday afternoon in May, I felt like I had finished a good book. It was a surprising feeling to recognise. I am so looking forward to the sequel. Stay tuned!
Next: June 10 to 11 July Intensive German Language Course and June 15 2013 Orientation Day.
Want to know more? http://www.olai.public.lu/fr/index.html
*Office luxembourgeois de l’accueil et de I’integration (OLAI)
Cheers Kylie Morrison