Dear Val
We have just returned from our naturalisation interview – almost the final part of the process and what
an experience it was.
an experience it was.
The interviews come through very quickly in the Tarn so having had our phone-call returned on
Tuesday the interview was this morning, in Albi, at 9.00am. We arrived at the Prefecture complete
with the dossier of papers which weighed nearly 500gms. Sadly, since the attack in Paris, security
has been toughened and we had to go in through a side entrance and present our passports before
being allowed into the main building.
Tuesday the interview was this morning, in Albi, at 9.00am. We arrived at the Prefecture complete
with the dossier of papers which weighed nearly 500gms. Sadly, since the attack in Paris, security
has been toughened and we had to go in through a side entrance and present our passports before
being allowed into the main building.
We had thought it would be not much more than a check through the paperwork and a few questions
so were very taken aback when after the check, Ross was told to leave and return in about an hour
after I had been 'done'. I must have looked aghast as Madame Nationality said ‘Don’t worry it’s not
as bad as childbirth.’ and smiled. Maybe she was right in that sense but I did feel that it was like
drawing teeth as I struggled to express my views on such questions as ‘Given the French laws
on Laiecity is it right to forbid women to wear the burka?’. Given that when we lived in Hackney
we met Afgan ladies in the market wearing not only the burka but the model with iron face grills
and Hassidic Jews complete with ringlets and bowler hats my answer had to be no. This was followed
seeking my views on Egality ‘Do you think that men and women were equal in France?.’ No again!
Ross had questions which he replied to with reference to special needs education and state versus
religious schooling.(He had been a school governor in the UK)
so were very taken aback when after the check, Ross was told to leave and return in about an hour
after I had been 'done'. I must have looked aghast as Madame Nationality said ‘Don’t worry it’s not
as bad as childbirth.’ and smiled. Maybe she was right in that sense but I did feel that it was like
drawing teeth as I struggled to express my views on such questions as ‘Given the French laws
on Laiecity is it right to forbid women to wear the burka?’. Given that when we lived in Hackney
we met Afgan ladies in the market wearing not only the burka but the model with iron face grills
and Hassidic Jews complete with ringlets and bowler hats my answer had to be no. This was followed
seeking my views on Egality ‘Do you think that men and women were equal in France?.’ No again!
Ross had questions which he replied to with reference to special needs education and state versus
religious schooling.(He had been a school governor in the UK)
I came away wondering about how my idealised pensioner seeking citizenship,would manage such
questions. She is a 75 year old Arab granny whose son is working over here and wants her to become
French too but we were asked on at least two occasions if we had children who had French
citizenship so my Arab granny might have been given more leniency.
questions. She is a 75 year old Arab granny whose son is working over here and wants her to become
French too but we were asked on at least two occasions if we had children who had French
citizenship so my Arab granny might have been given more leniency.
Next step is the visit from the Gendarmes in about two months to make sure we lie where we say we
do, followed by a decision in about 6 months.
do, followed by a decision in about 6 months.
As we left Madame Nationality said we had scored dix sur dix deux fois, so perhaps we had not done
so badly but it was exhausting.
so badly but it was exhausting.
Ginny
Val says well done Ginny. It sounds terrifying. I am so glad I felt I needed to keep improving my
French before applying. It certainly gives others an insight into the procedures to obtain
French nationality
French before applying. It certainly gives others an insight into the procedures to obtain
French nationality
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