Living Double Lives: Students embrace dual citizenships

Peninsula is filled with students who were born in countries all over the world. Many, such as juniors Mana Kimura, Annabelle David and Hana Ayoub, have dual citizenships. Despite being born in America, Ayoub has Egyptian citizenship because her parents are citizens of Egypt.

“I like that the Egyptian side is relatively unique in comparison to the ethnicities of those around me since it connects me to my family and heritage,” Ayoub said. “Since I am also an American citizen, there are many opportunities available to me,” Ayoub said.

Moving to America when she was only six months old, Kimura adapted to American customs but continues to uphold Japanese traditions in her household.

“At home, I usually celebrate my Japanese culture more since my parents were both born in Japan,” Kimura said.

Coming from British and American backgrounds, David celebrates British traditions with her family and shares the travel and educational advantages of being a dual citizen.

“It means shorter lines at the airport when I enter and leave either country,” junior Annabelle David said. “It also gives me more work and study opportunities.”

Although some countries allow people to have dual citizenships, most countries, such as Japan, ask those with dual citizenships to choose a country to remain a citizen by the time they turn 18.

“I am proud to be both an American and British citizen,” David said, “But since America is where I see myself staying for the rest of my life, I would choose the United States.”

David, Kimura and Ayoub come from multicultural backgrounds that influence their perspectives of life in America. David has gained cultural awareness, Kimura appreciates the unique values it gives her, and Ayoub says that both cultures shape her into who she is today.

“The presence of the two nationalities gives me multiples dimensions as a person,” Ayoub said.