3 things that surprised me at my Australian citizenship ceremony (and a bonus surprise at the end 🌿)

When you arrive in Australia, you dream of that day: the moment you officially become an Australian citizen. The road isn't short—visas, skills assessment, permanent residency, paperwork, NAATI translations—but when you're finally called for the citizenship ceremony, it all makes sense.

I thought it would be a formal, long, and melancholic ceremony. But it was quite the opposite. Here are three things that surprised me at my Australian citizenship ceremony (and a little bonus that stole my heart)

#1 – It lasted less than an hour 😮

“I thought it was going to be a long time, but in less than an hour we were already citizens. 100 people in 60 minutes!”

I arrived early, ready for a solemn and long event. But no… In less than an hour we had already taken the oath, received the certificate, and sung the anthem.

The mayor gave a short but very moving speech, and the organization was so efficient that we left with plenty of time to take photos, cry (obviously 😅), and celebrate with family and friends.

#2 – We were from 52 different countries 🌏

“They told us there were people from more than 52 different countries. We were ALL there: Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America… a mini UN.”

That was one of the most exciting moments. Looking around and seeing so much diversity gathered under one flag was incredible.

There were people from all over the world, with different accents, faces, and cultures, all sharing the same dream: becoming Australian.

Fun fact: there were only two of us from Colombia! 🇨🇴And yet, I felt part of something much bigger.

#3 – They made us say “G’day mate” 🇦🇺😂

“Seriously. To celebrate, they asked us to look at the person next to us and say, ‘G’day mate.’ I never thought they meant it, but anyway, by that point I was already in tears.”

If there's one thing that distinguishes Australians, it's their relaxed humor and informal style. After the oath and the anthem, the master of ceremonies asked us to look at the person next to us and proudly say, ‘G’day mate!’

We all laughed; some pronounced it strangely, others with an accent, but it was a beautiful moment: a reminder that we were already part of this unique and friendly land.

Bonus – The Little Gift 🌿

“And as a welcome, they gave us a native Australian plant… and a ticket to the local museum! Not bad.”

I didn't expect it, but it was the perfect touch. At the end, they gave us a small gift: a native Australian plant (yes, literally, to help you start “putting down roots” 🌱) and a ticket to the local museum.

It was symbolic, emotional, and very Aussie, the idea that growing up here also means caring for and being part of the environment.

Becoming an Australian citizen is much more than receiving a piece of paper. It's the end of a life and the beginning of a new life where you belong, where your efforts, sacrifices, and decisions are translated into one powerful word: “home.”

If you too dream of this moment, prepare now. With the AustraliaPRO team and our MARA-registered migration agents, you can chart your own path to residency and citizenship with a clear, secure, and personalized plan.

And when that big day comes, I promise you'll smile, cry, and proudly say: 👉 “G’day mate!” 💛

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