1.10.2007 One hundred revised questions

Let us suppose one of our present exchange students from Paderborn wanted one day to immigrate to the US - live and work there for about at least five years and then he or she would want to apply to become a naturalized American citizen.Here are ten new and original questions from the one hundred he or she would have to study and then hopefully answer correctly.

How would they score on this test if they took it today?For the correct answers please visit www.iht.com/americas - that's where I found the questions as well.


10 Questions From the Redesigned Naturalization Test
Instructions: Read the following questions and write down your answers.


1. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
2. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
3. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
4. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
5. What are two rights only for United States citizens?
6. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
7. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
8. Who was President during World War I?
9. Name one U.S. territory.
10. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

How well did you - the reader - do?

1.10.2007 The joy of winning

A long time ago - when I received my Green Card at the American Consulate in Frankfurt I felt that I had struck gold:in that moment I had become a member of the winning team..a dream had come true....I was leaving my old Europe for a bright future with unlimited opportunities ahead of me....I would soon see the Statue of Liberty in New York - my city of choice...

And what a friendly welcome it was....no immigration hassles,no fingerprints, no intimidating questions and no fear of being sent off to prison or of being returned.I didn't have to worry of saying the wrong " lines "....the whole process at Norfolk Harbour took less than five minutes.I had arrived in the country of hope and her can- do attitude.

When I read the blogs of our three brave exchange students who are currently in Belleville,Illinois I am moved because one of them even states in his texts that he is having the best time of his life!( www.jan-in-da-usa.blogspot.com ) So apparantly there are two camps in the US right now: one that fears more 9/11 disasters and its negative consequences while the other continues to inspire and to attract.

When our Paderborn delegation arrives in our sister city on October 12 I know that they and their hosts will joyfully celebrate - for my America has been and always will be a welcoming place.