PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — After studying a list of 100 questions to prepare, a student at Northern Maine Community College had officially become a US citizen.
This November, NMCC Career Studies student Ailyn Stewart traveled to Portland to take a U.S. civics test and complete an interview with U.S. Customs and Immigration Services, the final steps required before becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.
“All of the questions they asked were from my history class last semester with Mr. [David] Raymond,” Stewart said.
Stewart completed the interview and passed the exam; which resulted in her being naturalized to a full U.S. citizen.
“I’m so happy that I’m done with that process because it really tightened my schedule as a full-time student, full-time housewife and mother,” Stewart explained. “I really have gained confidence passing the exam for citizenship. I have freedom. I have everything that American citizens have.”
Stewart is originally from the Philippines, and moved to the United States three and a half years ago to marry her husband. They moved from Ohio to Maine in 2019, as her husband and children wanted to move to a snowy environment.
After completing her general education requirements, Stewart plans to begin the practical nursing program at NMCC. Stewart wanted to pursue this path because she grew up with her grandmother and grandfather, and feels strongly that the elderly need special attention and care.
“In the future, if I finish nursing, I want to work with the elderly,” Stewart explained.
