I WILL NEVER BE A TRUE CZECH! (American citizenship vs. Czech citizenship)

Even if I pass the Czech Citizenship test, I'll never be a true Czech! Sure, I'll get a passport, and I'll get to vote in Czech elections, but Czech citizenship is so different from American citizenship. In this video, I'll talk about the difference between citizenship by blood (Czech) and citizenship by birthright (U.S.) and how the difference even affects naturalized citizens.
What do you think? Can a foreigner even become a true Czech citizen? Tell me in the comments below!
* *
▶ A B O U T D R E A M P R A G U E:
Ahoj! I'm Jen, Native Californian, living in Prague, Czech Republic for the past 9 years with my husband and our rescue dog Tobik. One fateful night, we drank a bottle of wine, threw a dart at the map, and bought one-way tickets to move our entire lives to the center of Europe! Everyday we learn something new, about Czech people, Czech culture, Czech history, Czech language and how to battle the Czech bureaucracy. Dream Prague started as a place to share what we learned with other foreigners living here.
Are you considering a move, a visit, or simply interested in American culture vs. Czech culture? Subscribe and hit the bell to get notified of my latest video each week!
➾ SUBSCRIBE: www.youtube.com...
* *
▶ I R E C O M M E N D
➾ My digital How to move to Prague Course! courses.vuling...
I cover everything from how to find a flat to finding a community and dealing with visas and other legal requirements.
Language Learning:
➾ Anki digital flashcards for spaced repetition learning: apps.ankiweb.net/
➾ *Italki for online lessons and conversation practice: go.italki.com/... use code DREAM at checkout to receive $5 off a $10 purchase
*Sponsor of this channel
* *
▶ C O N N E C T W I T H M E !
➾ Instagram | @jendreamprague | / jendreamprague
➾ Facebook | @dreamprague | / dreamprague
➾ Website | www.dreampragu...
* *
▶ M O R E V I D E O S Y O U ' L L E N J O Y
➾ The honest truth about my life in Prague:
🎬 Quality of life CZ vs. US: • Which country has a be...
➾ Are you planning a visit to Prague?
🎬 How to Survive a Czech Restaurant: • AMERICANS IN CZECH RES...
🎬 Secret places in Prague the tourists miss: • SECRET PLACES IN PRAGU...
🎬 Holiday Weekend in Prague: • HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN PRA...
➾ Are you learning Czech?
🎬 How I learn Czech: • CZECH LANGUAGE | How I...
🎬 My favorite language learning hack (Czech with English subtitles): • MY FAVORITE WAY TO LEA...
=

[@oldrichpalicka7550]

Výborná analýza. Vy nemusíte být smutná z toho, že "nebudete opravdová Česka". Lidé jako vy jsou přínosem a obohacením této země a na to můžete být hrdá.

[@conceptalfa]

You stoled it from my mouth 👍 👍 👍!!! 🙃

[@thespalek1]

Přesně tak.

[@vackad]

Ano!

[@monikal.8152]

Naprosto souhlasím 😊

[@daliborbaranek2010]

@Turecko76 ikdyz bude ta volba spravna, urcite nebude "ta prava, ceska". a full cechem se clovek stane, az roztrha v hospode... mezi osmym a devatym skopkem.. pas sve byvale zeme

[@kaninma7237]

Three of my grandparents were fully Czech by blood, and Czech was their first language. They were born in Texas as first generation between 1890 and 1910, and they were farmers. Now I have immigrated to Česko and live within 75 km of six villages where seven of my ancestral families came from. I study Czech daily, and I plan to become a citizen. On our most recent census, I put Czech-American Czech.

[@otakarsulc4686]

Blood bond is strong :-D

[@catepilarr]

What made you move back?

[@DreamPrague]

That’s so cool! Like m Honza, moving back to his czech roots. Much admiration to you all!

[@rieneeh]

Welcome back home! Blood is not water :)

[@filipjanku2809]

I was born and raised in Prague and live in Texas. Being Czech-American comes with two best passports :-)

[@davy771y]

můj kamarád američan, co tu žije už dlouho ,vloni vyrazil do Chorvatska do kempu pod stan s obrovskou autolednicí.Tomu říkám dokončený proces naturalizace!

[@lubomirabartikova1567]

😆

[@renataknittelova7758]

🤣

[@tylerzika]

Is this a joke? Nerozumím

[@andrews4793]

🤣

[@sashakartus3435]

To je velice americke. Porad se boji, aby nahodou nekde neumreli hlady, a nedej boze, kdyby nemeli led. 😀

[@janschwarz9810]

Lepší než býti dobrým (Čechem,Němce,Američanem .....) je být dobrým člověkem. To si myslím že ocení většina občanův jakémkoliv státě.

[@plasa35]

Velmi dobrý postřeh. Už můj dědeček mi říkal: Nauč se mluvit jako domácí. Pracuj třikrát tolik jako domácí. Dbej o svou dobrou pověst. Pak ti lidé pomohou a dojdeš uznání. Rodinná zkušenost - otec legionář, zajat v Rusku, vrátil se snad kolem roku 1920, syn - můj dědeček - totálně nasazen v Reichu 1944-5. No a mne se v ČR nelíbilo a tak jsem odešel před lety do DDR.

[@Hanys8]

@@plasa35 máte diky dědovi právo na nemecký pas? Vím, že na Hlučínsku lidi bojovali za Německo a dodnes mají německé pasy. Někteří jsou na službu svých předků hrdí.

[@plasa35]

@@Hanys8 Obávám se, že ne. Děda byl Čech jako poleno, přestože skvěle ovládal řeči vč. francouzštiny a řvát uměl německy jako Führer bez přízvuku. Byl totálně nasazen na práci a pro práci v Říši. Jeho status byl nevolník, pracovní otrok. Z tohoto důvodu se nedomnívám, že by naší rodině náležela práva na občanství BRD. Ostatně byla-li by to vůbec nějaká výhoda. Díky mne jsme již za poločasem lhůty žádosti o občanství. Dost na tom, že děda za života dostal vůbec nějaké odškodnění. Pozdrav z DDR!

[@xsc1000]

@@plasa35 Přesně tak. Totální nasazení byl přesun české pracovní síly do Německa, ale pořád se jednalo o občany protektorátu. Hlučínsko je zcela výjimečná záležitost, to se totiž stalo přímou součástí Německa (nikoliv jako Sudety), takže všichni prostě dostali německé občanství (aniž by to tehdy chtěli). Výhodné to bylo fakticky až mnoho let poté, kdy jim tehdy západní Německo vyplácelo válečné důchody.

[@sashakartus3435]

@@plasa35 oh, muj deda byl taky legionar, zajaty v Rusku. Mel Rusy hrozne rad.

[@martinherc4378]

Být Čech a český občan jsou dvě rozdílné věci pro většinu Čechů. A ne nezbytně zlou věcí. Pokud má člověk rád Česko a dává to najevo tak je "náš Američan" a je jedno jaký má pas. Je v nás zakořeněné že být Čech je věc národnosti než občanství.

[@lucieberanova958]

Přesně tak, vnímám to stejně

[@MrToradragon]

Táák a teď do toho ještě zamíchat historické země... ;)

[@OriginalBeast]

Tata je cech ale ne obcan.

[@janamrazova5614]

@@OriginalBeast Můj táta je Němec (pochází z Meklenburska, umí perfektně česky a žije tu od roku 1982). Občanem ČR je od roku 2002 a neznám nikoho, kdo by byl hrdější na Českou republiku.

[@catepilarr]

vsak taky proto mame narodnost a obcanstvi. ne vsechny zeme to msylim rozlisuji stejne jako my

[@jaroslavmarek49]

Jen, one thing is for sure, everybody here loves you and is rooting for you in your quest of becoming a Czech citizen. You’ve gained our respect years ago and will be an honour to get a new fellow citizen such as yourself!

[@DreamPrague]

Jaroslav, I’m repeating your words to Honza, teary-eyed. Thank you.

[@marcip6820]

@@DreamPrague Honza is from 1/4 Czech. And what is his other blood? Where did his Czech ancestors come from?

[@MrBritishComedy]

Well, I'm half German and half Czech. I grew up in Germany and only moved to the Czech Republic in 2006 at the age of 21. The interesting thing is that - with all that said - the Germans who knew me thought of me as the Czech guy, even though my German is obviously flawless and I probably know more about German than Czech culture and history. Over here, in the Czech Republic, people don't usually think of me as as a German (thanks to my mom, I speak Czech without an accent). Those people over here who are actually aware of my background and the fact that I don't always share the same world view as the majority of Czechs have almost always been very welcoming and accepting of me, so that's something that I find remarkable, especially since the Germans are more used to immigrants than the Czechs. Thinking about that, speaking the language with no or little to no distinguishable accent is a door opener to pretty much any culture (in my mind). Many English-speaking people have told me after hearing me speak English that they would've never guessed that I'm not from an English-speaking country, even though they do find it hard to place me. And I think it's true that I can pull that off if I keep up the concentration (or get drunk - which is when I often start sounding like I come from the Bible Belt), but I obviously don't talk like that all the time. When I do fake it, however, people are a lot more forthcoming and chatty with me - and truth to be told, even I feel like my persona changes. I'm usually quite grumpy around strangers (like so many Czechs), but when I was in the US, I would often start chatting with people at the checkout, be it at the gas station or any kind of store, and it seemed to me that they genuinely appreciated that - which in turn motivated me to do again and again. But looking at how I feel about my two nationalities, people always assume that I must feel both Czech and German. In reality, I don't feel Czech or German. The expectations I have can never be fully covered or fulfilled by either the German or the Czech lifestyle, even though it is true that my humor is definitely Czech and not German, which I tend to lean towards saying that I'm more Czech. Objectively though, it's just one of many factors to consider.

[@smutnejklaun]

Tak jako správnej mileniál z Německa by ses měl v první řadě cítit jako Evropan nebo spíš panevropan :) P.S.: vtipný, že panslavismus tolik vadí, zatímco panevropanství je braný jako něco cool, že jo? :)

[@eiramram2035]

@@smutnejklaun Bych řekla, že panevropanství je trochu uskutečnitelnější, protože ano v Evropě se to taky furt spolu mydlilo, ale ekonomicky a politicky silné státy, které to zaštíťují, jsou svobodě lépe otevřenější než Rusko, jež by v panslavismu hrálo hlavní roli.

[@smutnejklaun]

@@eiramram2035 No, to ještě v blízké budoucnosti uvidíme, jak moc jsou ty politicky a ekonomicky silné státy, o kterých mluvíš (nejspíš Německo a Francie) opravdu ekonomicky silné a jak moc jsou svobodě otevřené. Myslím, že pokud ti není 70, tak se dost možná spolu dožijeme ještě i nějakých těch koncentráků zase :P

[@MajklAstarin]

@@smutnejklaun Nechápu, že se divíš. Kulturně a historicky máme a vždy jsme měli blíže k Němcům než třeba k Rusům. To, že mluvíme slovanským jazykem neznamená, že budeme hned tíhnout k panslavismu.

[@tylerzika]

Can you explain the difference between Czech and German humor?

[@christinapoppin]

Zajímavý video...Abych upřesnila jestli jsi Češka nebo ne. Jseš! 😀 Ve spoustě videích si předvedla skvělý Český smysl pro humor. Ať už chceš nebo ne. Už jsi naše 😀

[@DreamPrague]

Díky moc, Christino.

[@cemper0079]

Z česka není návratu stejně jako z mordoru :D Hele to se rýmuje:D

[@Ramon-h3r]

@@DreamPrague Souhlasím, že Češi vás přijmou, pokud vy přijmete je a budete se sama cítit jako Češka 🙂 Zatím se tak necítíte, jen nás studujete a porovnáváte, ani ve videu např. česky nemluvíte, tak v tom bude ta potíž.

[@marie-cat-lover]

@@Ramon-h3r videa jsou v první řadě dělaná pro Američany, ne pro Čechy, proto jsou v angličtině ;)

[@VladimirZivkovic970]

Krásné od vás slyšet jak simpatická Američanka, žijící méně než 10 let v Praze, a přitom neumí dobře český (ale na angl. mluvícího cizince je to super dobře jak jiní slabé umí) a asi i nezna moc dobře celé Česko (díky Praze) je pro vás a většinou Čechů brána jako Češka. To mám radost. Ještě před 30ti lety zde byly zcela jiný pohled na cizince. Zeptám se suše jsou také Češi (našinci) pro vás také osoby: 1) Osoby české krve (národnosti) rozene a žijící mimo ČR? 2) Jsou český Romové, slezsky Poláci nebo lidé slovenské národnosti narozený a žijící celý život v ČR také našinci tj. Češi? 3) Jsou Češi (našinci) dětí z mychaneho manželství Čecha/Češky s cizincem? 4) Může se, a pokud ano, za jakých okolností Čech, Moravan, Slezan přestat být našincem tj. českým člověkem? 5) Může potomek Němce ze Sudet (Bohemian Deutscher) být považován za Čecha a za jakých podmínek? Je pro vás více našinec tj. Čechem kdo ví hlášky z filmů o Homolkovych nebo Slunce, seno, jahody anebo ten kdo má oba rodiče české národnosti i kdyby nežil v ČSSR /ČSFR /ČR?

[@vladimirskach]

Personally, I believe that for most Czechs "Czechness" is 90 percent linked to the ability to speak the Czech language. The reasons for this are of course historical, as Czech has had to struggle with German for centuries. That is why the most successful contemporary Czech nationalist is Tomio Okamura. That is why the mayor of Mladá Boleslav can be Raduan Nwelati. That's why we had MP Dominik Feri (that is, before he was accused of all those sexual assaults :-( ). Similarly, Czechs greatly appreciate it if a Czech who once emigrated retains the ability to speak Czech (like Madeleine Albright, Milos Forman or Martina Navratilova).

[@DreamPrague]

Ooooh, this is a really good point. Okay, so language will be my goal above all else!

[@sashakartus3435]

Kdysi jsem nekde cetla, v anglictine, kde psali, ze Cesi vas zacnou povazovat za sve, kdyz mluvite jejich rec.

[@mach2223]

@@DreamPrague It's true, when a foreigner shows interest in this country, I personally take them as someone cool who like it here, and that's it. But when they learn to speak Czech, our beautiful and actually really difficult language, and adopt local customs, that's when they become Czech to me. Bonus points if you know something about our industry, as we actually produce a lot of stuff on a high level of quality, such as heavy vehicles (Tatra Kopřivnice), guns (Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod, which has recently bought Colt, if you can believe that), aeroplanes (Aero Vodochody), or anti-air radar detection systems (ERA Pardubice). Also, I'd say that once you understand Jára Cimrman, that grants you the honorary Czech status.

[@Arianeria]

Okamura has Czech mother and Japanese father, so he still has the blood even if he does not look like it.

[@L4wr3nc3810]

Tyjo to me nenapadlo. Zajimavy

[@Medzu5]

,,Nemohl jsem tam zůstat, protože jsem tam s nima nehrál jako kluk kuličky." (pravděpodobně Jan Werich) Touhle větou prý Werich vysvětloval svým kamarádům, proč se vrátil z Ameriky zpátky do Čech. Díky za to co děláš Jen. Pro většinu lidí jsi už Češka dávno. A ne, nesnažím se být jen milá😄, ale asi ti to stejně nevyvrátím.

[@andrews4793]

That is brilliant!🙂

[@sashakartus3435]

Jo, tomu bych rozumela !! To znam. Jeden muj kamarad, American, mi obcas neco rekne, jako, vis jak jsme jako maly zpivaly tuhle pisnicku? Tak mu rikam, ne nevim, ja tady nebyla. Tak se teprve zarazi, ze si to nekdy neuvedomi.

[@erikapetras4859]

My Czech Dad emigrated (1957) to America "in search of permanent freedom." His life as a child and young adult were very difficult, especially during the war ( he barely survived being a prisoner of war in Russia). He met my German immigrant mother in the states and they married and raised 5 kids. We celebrated holidays with Czech and German traditions, but my Dad considered himself an American. If he spoke of his homeland it was only about his parents and siblings. He died in 2006, and I regret not asking him more about his Czech heritage. Your videos are a great source of information- good luck on your citizenship tests!

[@SjamK]

Just a fun fact: I'm Czech and I used to have neighbors by the last name of Petráš :-)

[@erikapetras4859]

Wow! That’s great. I don’t know how common my last name is there? My dad has family in Studenka. Thanks for your message.

[@AlexanderVlasov]

@@erikapetras4859 About 1000 people bear this surname. Most of them are either in Prague or Ostrava region (where Studenka lies)

[@erikapetras4859]

@@AlexanderVlasov Thank you for sharing that information with me. I hope to visit Studenka one day.

[@sashakartus3435]

In that time, when people were leaving the communist Czechoslovakia, there were very upset about the communism. That can be why, he sees himself to be on American.

[@sirkritoun]

Jsi vtipná, chytrá, vzdělaná a ještě krásná. Jsi skvělý člověk. Domorodec jako je příjemné překvapený, že člověk jako ty chce žít ve stejné zemi. Občanství je jen formální náležitosti. Díky za videa .

[@ludekbartos866]

Není nad to, když ve vaší zemi, ve vašem městě, ve vašem okolí a třeba i ulici, žije člověk tak pozitivní a sympatický jako Vy. A nemusí mít české občanství a zvládat češtinu na profesorské úrovni. Děkuji Vám, že tu jste a já mohu sledovat Vaše videa.

[@radkalebedova4992]

Pro mě jedno z Vašich nejlepších videí, možna úplně nej… Skvělá analýza. Hodně štěsti na zkouškách, doufám, že budeme mít tu čest Vás mezi námi přivítat😊

[@paulselinger6658]

Becoming a Swedish citizen was just about the right to live there. Becoming an American was exactly that. While working in Czechia a decade ago, someone (Czech) told me that I was no longer a Czech. My Slovak co-workers here in the States also see me as an American, while my Swedish buddies would acknowledge that I am a Swedish citizen, but not a Swede. Yet, I do have a distant ancestor from Sweden. But I also have ancestors from Sicily, France, the Balkans, and Israel. That and Senomaty, Prosenicka Lhota, Struzinec, Stodulky and Smichov, of course! As Ronald Reagan allegedly put it: "We're less about where we're from and more about where we're going." E Pluribus Unum!

[@sashakartus3435]

Wow !! And what if somebody ask YOU, who you are ?

[@conceptalfa]

Jen, citizenship by blood or not, we all love you and you're already more czech than many czechs are!!! Fingers crossed for the exam!!!

[@DreamPrague]

That's kind, thank you!

[@kachnickau]

I have proof you are Czech already, you are already suspecting people of being "just" nice 😀

[@bones6924]

Taky myslím 😁 Získání občanství už je jenom formalita🙂

[@DreamPrague]

😂😂

[@nonamecommonsense9089]

:-))) Yes it is something suspicious. LOL

[@tomaskoloc810]

@@DreamPrague: Máte v zásadě ve všem pravdu. Já se tímto tématem hodně zabývám a došel jsem k tomu, že k tomu, aby ho Češi vzali za Čecha, člověk nutně nemusí mít českou krev, ale musí dokonale zvládnout jazyk a milovat zdejší kulturu. Za národního obrození (nesmírně důležité téma doby, kdy se už v naší zemi mluvilo prakticky jen německy a pár nadšenců dokázalo obrátit vývoj a jazyk znovu rozšířit - což se třeba Irům nepovedlo!) se otci našeho národa stali lidi, kteří byli 100% Němci bez kapky české krve: Heinrich (pak Jindřich) Fügner, Friedrich Tiersch (známý jako Miroslav Tyrš), Johanna Rott (známá jako Karolina Světlá), nebo Karl-Faustin (Karel) Klostermann - který se dokonce nenarodil ani na našem území, ale v Horním Rakousku. Anebo Eliška Zöllnerová, což byla rodilá rumunská Maďarka Erszébet Cinege, která se vdala za Čecha a spolu založili divadlo, které v těžkých dobách germanizace ovlivnilo českou kulturu, Milovaní Češi. A tahle tradice pokračuje. Jsou tu neuvěřitelné příběhy lidí, kteří se nenarodili na našem území jako byl František Kriegel (původně Franz) nebo milovaný spisovatel Ludvík Aškenazy (oba Židé z Ukrajiny), který se česky naučil až ve 23 letech a přesto nikdo nepsal česky krásněji, než on, a je to nejlepší český spisovatel pro děti. A máme i takové herce: Bronislav Poloczek byl stoprocentní Polák, Otto Ševčík Němec, který se česky naučil až ve 13 letech a jsou to národní miláčkové. A to nemluvím o milovaných českých židovských spisovatelích jako byli Karel Poláček a Arnošt Lustig (kterého jsem znal).I když byli bez kapky české krve jsou pro nás větší Češi, než my sami. Arnošt Lustig měl názor, že ho Češi milují proto, že má židovský humor a ten je s českým humorem úplně shodný. Jazyk a kultura dělá zázraky - i v naší zemi, která je tak zaměřená na krev, jak říkáte. A k té krvi: u starších konzervativnějších Čechů existuje logika, že, kdo je víc Slovan, je víc Čech. Třeba nejmilovanější herečka Helena Růžičková měla maminku ze Srbska a staří Češi si libují, že se srbskou krví je to ta nejlepší Češka. Já si taky trochu myslím, že vás to k naší zemi táhne i proto, že máte tu 1/4 slovanské krve z Černé Hory. A moje židovská babička, kdyby vás znala, by řekla, že máte takovou inteligenci a humor, že určitě musíte mít židovskou krev!:-)

[@PajaButcher]

Jen, mám vaše videa moc rád. Máte skvělé postřehy a umíte nastavit zrcadlo jak Čechům tak Američanům. A to velmi laskavě a s humorem. Pokud budete občankou ČR, mě to potěší :-) A nemusíte se bát že byste se Češkou nikdy nestala. Je pravda že to je specifické. Ale mám kolegu z Bolívie, který tady studoval a zůstal zde. Adoptoval český humor, zvyky (pivo, svíčková) a i když nemluví perfektně česky, tak bych vůbec neměl problém ho adoptovat jako Čecha (přestože jako Čech nevypadá, nenarodil se tu a pžízvuk mu už asi zůstane). Tak ať vám ty zkoušky vyjdou!

[@lukasmachota839]

No já osobně vás spíš než za Američanku žijící v česku považuji za Češku co se omylem narodila v Americe.

[@martinaburdova3680]

Taky mám ten pocit. 🙂😃

[@andrews4793]

That is sweet. ♥️

[@lexsmith8689]

taky sem dostal ten pocit asi u třetího jejího videa..

[@VenyMusic]

good luck with the tests! držím palce :)

[@tipsychipsy1601]

Milá Jen, mám Vás moc ráda pro Vaši inteligenci, humor, upřímnou snahu objevit podstatu různých jevů, souvislostí a novátorský pohled na naši zemi a schopnost názorně zobrazit naši vlastní historii. Jestli je pro někdo 100% Češka, tak jste to Vy, protože vy jste se k tomu, narozdíl od nás, vlastním úsilím dopracovala, víte toho o Češích víc než my sami a prostě si to zasloužíte!!!😃.

[@pawew9451]

I saw couple of your videos. Basically Your humor gets more and more czech every month. That deep weird brutal dark irony.

[@ivobrabec1500]

Being a good person, regardless of your origin, loving our country, understanding its history, living here, speaking the language (at whatever level) - that's what counts. And I think you qualify for all the above points. Having the official paper is just the confirmation of all the above. Good luck!

[@DreamPrague]

Thanks for your kind words, Ivo!

[@MartinaSteflova]

I just received my American citizenship last week! Love watching your story as American in Czech while I'm Czech in America. 😁

[@LucyMusic1999]

Czech means "český". You can use "Czechia" or "Czech republic", not "czech". Thank you

[@redlotus2805]

She knows that, she is Czech herself

[@MartinaSteflova]

@@LucyMusic1999 I know that but Czechia sounds cringe and I refuse to use that word

[@matotuHELL]

@@MartinaSteflova Steflova sounds cringe and I refuse to use that word. ;-)

[@MartinaSteflova]

@@matotuHELL I agree, pretty ass last name

[@miroslavkovac9524]

Milá Jen! Nezlob se, že Ti nepíšu anglicky (moje angličtina není dokonalá), aspoň si můžeš trochu procvičit češtinu...😉 Téma občanství, o kterém mluvíš v tomhle videu, je skutečně zajímavé a možná k tomu umím říct také několik zajímavých myšlenek. Jsem Čech, ale celý svůj dospělý život (letos to bude 38 roků) žiju v zahraničí a jazyk jsem se naučil až tady. Jak již psali i jiní, dobrá znalost jazyka je skutečně výhodou, ale myslím, že to není to nejdůležitější a nejpotřebnější k tomu, aby ses cítila být skutečnou češkou. Z historie (například Rakouska-Uherska) je známo dost příkladů, kdy se lidé pokládali třeba za Čecha, ale mluvili německy a česky se naučili až v dospělosti... To, že neznáš dokonale českou historii a kulturu, taky není z tohohle hlediska to nejdůležitější, protože když uděláš ty zkoušky, tak podle mě toho budeš vědět o naší historii a kultuře asi víc, než spousta rodilých Čechů, kteří se samozřejmě pokládají za opravdové Čechy. 😁 Já si myslím, že se tahle otázka rozhodne ve Tvém srdci a Tvé hlavě. Když někdo, nebo Ty řekneš "My" a automaticky a spontánně se Ti vybaví "My Češi", a ne "My Američané", nebo na slůvko "u nás" budeš myslet a také říkat "u nás v Praze", a ne "u nás v Los Angeles", tak se budeš z hloubi duše cítit češkou. A tak Tě také bude vnímat i tvé okolí, i když ještě možná nebudeš mluvit dokonale česky nebo si nevzpomeneš, kdo byl poslední přemyslovský král.😉Tak hodně štěstí a ahoj příště!😊

[@lubomirb.5230]

Nemusíš mít ani občanství, aby jsi byla naše. Stačí tady žít, pracovat, pít pivo, jíst svíčkovou a chápat jemné nuance českého humoru. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😂😂❤️

[@quicksilver2446]

JEN !! You already are a Czech !! The fact that you 1)- learned the language, ( extremely difficult) and 2) -accepted and assimilated into their culture by living there for 10 years, makes you a Czech. So what that you have accent, if they don't like it, they can lump it.

[@DreamPrague]

If only I had already learned the language....it's still an uphill battle. But thanks for the encouragement!

[@jakubs.6103]

Je to tak. Ale tohle platí všude na světě mimo Ameriku. Český Pepa se taky nikdy nestane Němcem, Angličanem, či Francouzem, i když získá jejich občanství a žije tam většinu života.

[@jakubladman5113]

Czechia was a melting pot of nations and cultures. There are German names, Italian names, French names and of course Slovak, Polish and Hungarian. But it took place mostly hundreds of years ago.

[@Justin18K]

od genu raději dál. to nám vysvětlili už naši obroditelé. Klíčem k našemu národu je jazyk.

[@MrToradragon]

@@Justin18K Od obroditelů raději dál, někteří koketovali s panslavismem. Klíčem k našemu národu je pivo a černý humor. ;)

[@vitezslavnovak2077]

USA = a melting pot, Bohemia = a bedroom of Europe.

[@slouberiee]

@@Justin18K Podle nedávných studií jsme Slované jen asi z třetiny... další třetina Germáni, zbytek něco málo z jihovýchodní Evropy, Sibiře, sever Evropy...

[@tomasdrenko8784]

@@slouberiee v dnešní době už budete jen těžko hledat nějaké "čisté" etnykum.

[@eliskahanzlikova8904]

Funny , I had very similar thoughts today. I live in Scotland and in many ways I feel Scottish. Certainly where the liberal values are concerned. I love the culture, I design giftwear with Scottish themes for my shop however my Czechness cannot be taken out of me, or the way I feel about the country I was born in. I am both nationalities in my mind.I feel differently about each of them but they are both equally valid to me. True nationality isn't a prescribed notion, it is a sense of belonging that binds people together.

[@tylerzika]

What does Czechness mean to you?

[@eliskahanzlikova8904]

@@tylerzika My foundations.

[@deedee9367]

Určitě to souvisí s historií, kdy jsme patřili našim pánům, tedy se nemohli svobodně pohybovat. A zároveň s nájezdy cizích vojsk a obsazováním území... Když se chce cizinec asimilovat, vezmeme ho za svého. Pokud nechce, bereme ho jako nájezdníka... 🤔 Možná se mýlím, ale teď mě to tak napadlo 😀

[@pavlinarice9537]

Jen, as someone who has lived in America for the past 12 years and who has become a naturalized US citizen, I can tell you I feel exactly the same way you do here in the US. I will never be a true American (and I am very much ok with it), I will always have an accent and I will never fully understand certain aspects of American culture. It is interesting, because I find living in a different country very enriching and it has definitely changed the way I look at many different things, cultures, etc., but I will never truly feel American. And as funny as it sounds, when I am in Czech, I don't feel 100% Czech anymore either..

[@dashafait5612]

Pavlina, I live in Australia for 40 years and I feel exactly same. Never really Australian and no 💯 percent Czech either.

[@matotuHELL]

*in Czechia :-)

[@OriginalBeast]

The difference is there is no such thing as a true American.

[@DreamPrague]

That must be so hard, to neither be of one place nor the other! But you belong to a special subset of people, like me and Honza...we have this outside perspective that is a little bit more aware and accepting (and a little less set in our ways) than our compatriots who've never lived abroad.

[@DreamPrague]

@@OriginalBeast Except those poor natives who still don't get any respect.

[@jahodamiro]

Hi Jen, I have been watching your videos for a couple of years. I have always found your comments interesting and “czech”. I thought this girl must have some European ancesters because she analyses things in the same way as we do. Your videos break all stereotypes that we have about Americans. You are not self-centered, you truly examine our culture and our way of thinking. You have adapted so well. When I watch your videos I see a Czech (only speaking English). Even by saying “nikdy nebudu Cech”, you have proved you have become a typical Czech. It doesnt matter whether you pass your citizenship test. You have adopted the Czech way of thinking and analysing things and by that you have become a typical Czech. I feel you can understand us now. I believe most of us who folllow you, consider you a real Czech. So feel welcome among us and thank you for giving us a very interesting feedback on ourselves :)

[@janlinhart7914]

A man in England once told me he knew instantly I was a foreigner just by watching my posture and hand movements when I was talking. He told me this is something that you can't really learn as a foreigner and natives will often feel something's slightly off even if you speak perfect English and adhere to all social norms. What I mean by this is that perhaps a perfect assimiliation is a futile enterprise anyway so it might be better to stop at the point when it feels the most comfortable. There's a good chance everybody will be just fine with it.

[@DreamPrague]

You're right it is futile in many ways. I was in London this week, and they are even a mystery to me. I'm sure they could tell my Americanness immediately.

[@patrikjonas3633]

That is my observation as well. Gestures and postures tend to be somewhat cultural dependant as a part of subconscious communication and programming. In the same way, you can discover people from other countries in Czechia just on the street, its the way they move/walk, the way they look/sights, the way they sit or stand... For example, if I see someone who looks at something in a shop with their hands connected on their back, I would bet they are from eastern countries.

[@sashakartus3435]

I agree. But something very interesting happen to me. I was standing in the line in Starbuck, in the USA. It was in the west were there is not much foreigners. I was watching people in front of me, and suddenly I felt something like a cloud of air moving the molecules little different direction, then the rest of the room around the young woman, well dressed, maybe little different, especially her jacket. Later when she and her friend were sitting close to me, I could hear, that she has an accent. She was from Russia. I get that from what they were talking about. Just her, he was American and totally swept of his feet!! Isn't it interesting, that I could see the different aura around her when I saw her in the room of Americans only? Mystery !

[@Zizalaonfire]

@@sashakartus3435 idk why, but Russians are very easy to spot on the steets. Women are usually very well dressed and look absolutely perfect. Men have certain facial features, their faces are much softer than those of Americans or even Czechs.

[@raduna2106]

Hello there! I also happen to have dual citizenship (Czech/American) - living in LA past 8 years and about to return back “home” ☺️ Just wanted to assure you that the feeling is absolutely normal that you “will never feel 100% accepted” no matter how well you speak the language, know the history, culture etc. After 8 years in the US I still feel pretty much foreign although all my family here, friends and coworkers are born in USA. I’m still the weirdo who opens up all windows as a first thing in the morning, drinks hot tea for breakfast every day, isn’t afraid of carbs and quite fears plastic surgeries and dental implants 😅 Please rest assured that you are indeed more Czech than me when it comes to all your knowledge and humor! 🤗❤️

[@martinbalaz5833]

Ahoj, tvé video mě dost zasáhlo. mám to úplně stejně. Jsem Čech a bydlím ve Španělsku kousek od Madridu se svou španělskou přítelkyní a v létě se budeme brát. Když jsem se přestěhoval do Španělska tak jsem vše obdivoval. Kulturu, životní styl, jídlo, atd. Ale čím déle tu jsem tím víc zjišťuji jak moc mi Čechy chybí. Jídlo, český humor, trampské písničky hrané na kytaru u ohně, atd. Nejspíš tu zůstanu, ale určitě vím, že Španělem se nikdy nestanu. Alespoň to nemám domů přes půl světa. Letadle jsem v Praze za 3 hodiny 😅

[@janasvobodova3987]

Ahoj Jen,nic si z toho nedělej(myslím to upřímně).Hlavně buď sama sebou a raduj se ze života.Už jsi ochutnala naše sladké ovocné knedlíky?(Jsou moc dobré).🙋‍♀️🇨🇿

[@paulterpstra6705]

Thank you for this video. It inspired me for regaining my Czech citizenship by blood line again. I have a Czech mother and Dutch father and always had a passport of the ČSSR next to my Dutch one. I feel really closely related to both cultures which are completely different. But after the split of Czech and Slovakia in 1992 it was hard for me to keep my Czech citizenship and lost it. Thanks to this video I'm fully into the procedure of getting a Czech passport back, as I always feel at home in Prague (especially Dejvice where my grandparents lived) and other Czech places during holidays.

[@southernbohemian1]

I came to US in 1982, became a US citizen in 1988 (January) and returned to CR at the end of 2018. I believe that although you can't change who you are, it is possible to become the right piece fitting the puzzle in some nations (North and South America, for instance), but not others (CR, Germany, let alone Japan, where I also lived). Although I felt welcome in US right away, and at home in US after about 3 years, I had to come back to CR in the end, and my wife of 34 years also decide to return to her country (Japan). It was written in the stars. I guess I am too much Czech and she is too much Japanese. We can't really change who we are, and it's OK. And it's "ius", not "jus", OK?

[@jammmy30]

On one hand I agree with you, because for older generations it probably was and is so, but... as you say “right piece fitting the puzzle of some nations” for now in Malmö in Sweden it has become very much about knowing Swedish and not putting kind off “in your face” Islam. For example very many people of Asian descent are adopted and as long as they drink Absolute Vodka or snaps during midsummer, eat ham with mustard around X-MAS and swim naked once in a while in nature I think not even nationalist party Swedish Democrats would say - “they are not Swedish”. Although they are not born in Sweden and have zero Swedish blood.

[@Starkiller935]

it's "jus" in English

[@southernbohemian1]

@@Starkiller935 ha ha. It is a Latin word.

[@Starkiller935]

@@southernbohemian1 a Latin word that's been anglicized

[@southernbohemian1]

@@Starkiller935 You can believe what you want, but if it has been "anglicized" in this manner, it has only been bastardized.

[@joespee3666]

Because you have already explored czech traditions, history, culture, our nature and you dived realy deep into this, I think you already know more about us then we do :)

[@zbynekbecvar8703]

I truly enjoy your videos. I lived (since age 12) in the states for more than 50 years, and have now returned to live mostly in the Czech Republic (Zlin). When I am with Czech relatives and friends, I feel a bit like an American who speaks, writes, and understands Czech. When I am in the states, I feel that I am a Czech who speaks, writes and understands English. Others have written here, and I agree, that as long as you stay the awesome person you are, you will be liked and respected by people in both countries. You may never feel like a 100% Czech, but that does not matter if you're happy where you are. I wish you well, and hope you pass the tests on your first try.

[@KMarik]

I agree. I say that I feel like a tourist who knows the language, and who will not get lost when I visit Czechia.

[@Suchac_cz]

I love your videos, sometimes funny, sometimes inspiring, but never boring 👍 I never though about a citizenship in this way, very interesting. And If you feel, that you should be "občanka České republiky", than you are one of us already! 😁

[@DreamPrague]

Thank you for continuing to watch!

[@BlackMoth1971]

This is something so close to my situation. I am a naturalized US citizen. My Newport Beach born son got his Czech citizenship as a baby because of me. But he speaks .5% of your Czech and just enjoys the duality because he can. You are working freaking hard to get what he was served on a silver platter. Of course I shot him this video right away. He is getting smarter with age, picking up the language on his own as I never created any pressure on him. Watching your videos I bow to you for your courage, determination, skills and humor. Go girl!!

[@martinmarek3381]

Hello Jen, very clever vlog!!! Emotional, not superficial, sensitive and wise. I learned a lot from this. Please keep doing what you're doing. :-) Good luck to pass the exam! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@michallysek6996]

Always enjoy your vids. I think you can absolutely attempt a CZ humor without speaking the language perfectly. Like one of my best friends Cara from Denver, who had been living here in Prague for many years, she did not speak CZ perfectly well, we would translate stuff but she did get things without any problem. We laughed a lot. Her parents are Irish - but living in Colorado for many years. And you remind me of her SOOO MUCH Jen! Very similar sense of humor, the one I love:D Good luck with your CZ exams! And let us know about the outcome.

[@ladaminuetkittens5216]

Říká se: “Malá země malých lidi.” Jen se narodila a vyrostla ve velké a svobodné zemi. Tak je pro ni těžké vejít se do malé země. Ale rozhodne velmi pomáhá tu malou zemi trochu zvětšit. And that’s what counts.

[@jirisebesta4437]

Kde domov můj, kde domov můj ... a to je ta krásná země, země Česká domov NÁŠ!!!

[@karel.tomecek]

Čeština je klíčem. Jazyk je nástroj myšlení. Čím lépe ji budeš ovládat, tím více budeš Češkou 🙂

[@nonamecommonsense9089]

Very nice talk of a clever girl. Jen, you know more about Czech history, culture and bureaucracy than native Czechs do. Good luck, I keep my fingers crossed.

[@adelaberan5428]

Jen you are one of us❤❤❤❤❤. It was so interesting this video for me. I never thinking about this face of citizenship.

[@rhalfik]

Speaking of having thoughts... I'm not even Czech but I watch your videos. Didn't know why but now it struck me. You speak in a way that is not just easy to understand by ear, but also by eye. I'm convinced that a deaf person would enjoy your videos. It's an important thing for me because I'm learning the correct pronunciation by having a very clear view of your tongue. With teachers IRL it was always a problem for me. I could never really hear the difference nor figure out what I'm doing wrong. With your videos on the other hand I'm making progress. Muchas gracias.

[@krastycz1810]

Hi, I'm from Pittsburgh and I've been living here for almost 11 years. I became a naturalized Czech citizen last summer and I'm still processing it. I was happy to vote for the first time here and all in all I love it here. It's safe, quiet and I love the work life balance here. I love the US but I prefer to live here. Best of luck to you in the Czech citizenship process!

[@oktipy]

Vím to přesně... Češka pro čechy budeš tehdy, až Ti budou odpovídat česky a ne anglicky. 🙂

[@vikistastny473]

Nojenžeonanikdyneodpovínačeskýkoment... to vím už dávno... a schválně jsem to dal bez mezer, aby si tonemohlahoditdogooglu...

[@JanaVanana]

Jakoze pod videem v anglictine mam odpovidat cesky? :D

[@oktipy]

@@JanaVanana A já myslel, že jsem inteligentní a vtipný. Víte, jak se říká, že ženy nechápou ...

[@jaroslavdobrota5880]

Drahá Jen, naprosto souhlasím s tvým pohledem na věc. Dnes je srpen a zkoušky už máš určitě úspěšně za sebou- takže Vítej! 🙂

[@jackiejackie436]

Hodně štěstí na zkouškách :), určitě to dáte :)

[@Turtle1631991]

You are not wrong on many points but I would like to add that you don't need to be "real czech" to be considered someone who belongs here as part of rich social fabric of the country. I don't think that people who tell you you are czech already are necessarily just being nice. They might mean this. That at least in some way you belong here and you are part of this society now.

[@DreamPrague]

That's cool to hear, Turtlemaroon, thanks. :)

[@janurban7030]

Jen řeknu to takhle - to je naprosto v pořádku. Jak jsi si všimla jedné věci - Češi si váží svých kořenů (ano je spousta co se je snaží potlačit, ale víme, že bezúspěšně). Moje ségra má Česko Švýcarské občanství - Česku v sobě nepotlačí a ani nikdy nechtěla... :) Jednoduše řečeno - máš v sobě kus Čecha a ta Američanka (z těch částí Evropy :D) v tobě bude ten přirozený základ a to je MOC DOBŘE! My si toho vážíme, že máš v sobě tu Američanku a nikdy bychom nechtěli aby jsi "zapomněla" na své kořeny... Toho my si velice vážíme - Svých kořenů... :)

[@lenkaferreira5680]

Hi Jen, I am Czech living already couple of years outside…. Just take the best from both and enjoy it! I like your videos 🙂✌🏻

[@jansvoboda4293]

At 11th minute: I think that the assertion actually states that Czech humor CAN be acquired, albeit by passing high threshold at language and culture knowledge. The point must likely be that the requirement is to know the cultural roots in depth and breadth, taking the cultural journey so to speak, rather than just observing Czechs. I suppose it helps to identify not so obvious and quite subtle cultural references and memes.

[@pavelstebl9966]

Díky za video, kde jste krásně popsala odlišné chápání národnosti v USA a v Česku: zatímco ve Spojených státech je národ politickou entitou, v Česku je národ chápán etnicky a kulturně. Na druhou stranu tomu tak nebylo vždycky. Do národního obrození koncem 18. století byla česká identita dána místem, kde se člověk narodil, bez ohledu na to, jakým jazykem mluvil. “Die Böhmen” mohli být mluvčími češtiny i němčiny. Toto chápaní ovšem končí zhruba ve 40. letech 19. století, kdy se Češi začínají vnímat jako odlišné etnikum vzešlé ze slovanského pranároda od živlu německého právě v odezvu na německé “sebeuvědomování se” na Frankfurtském sněmu v letech 1848-49. Navzdory tomuto vydělování se v 19. století mohli jak Češi tak Němci hlásit k rakouské příslušnosti, stejně jako příslušníci dalších národností v Rakousku, od r. 1867 Rakousku-Uhersku. Národnostně byla monarchie velmi pestrá a národnostně pestré bylo i obyvatelstvo Čech, Moravy a Slezska. Po vzniku Československa v roce 1918 se Čechoslováky stali i lidé, jejichž rodným jazykem nebyla čeština, např. nejznámější český spisovatel jazyka německého Franz Kafka. Toto uvádím jen proto, abyste si z toho etnocentrického českého pohledu na českou národnost nic nedělala a brala Českou republiku jako svou zemi, protože jste se stala součástí jejího nového příběhu (i když to není příběh tak úplně nový). Průzkumy DNA mezi českým obyvatelstvem dokazují, že vyprávění o společných slovanských kořenech nejsou opřeny o reálná fakta, protože jen asi třetina Čechů má slovanské geny. // Thanks for the video, where you aptly described the different concepts of nationality in the USA and the Czech Republic: while in the United States the nation is a political entity, in the Czech Republic the nation is understood ethnically and culturally. On the other hand, this has not always been the case. Until the national revival in the late 18th century, Czech identity was determined by the place where you were born, regardless of the language you spoke. "Die Böhmen" could be speakers of Czech and German. However, this understanding ends around the 1840s, when the Czechs began to perceive themselves as evolved from the Slavic proto-nation in response to the similar process among Germans, which was manifested at the Frankfurt Congress in 1848-49. Despite this division, in the 19th century both Czechs and Germans were able to claim Austrian nationality, as were members of other ethnicities in Austria (Austria-Hungary from 1867). The monarchy was quite diverse and the population of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia was no exception. After the foundation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, people whose native language was not Czech also became Czechoslovaks, such as the most famous Czech writer of the German language, Franz Kafka. I mention this only so that you make nothing of the somewhat ethnocentric Czech view of Czech nationality and consider the Czech Republic as your country, because you have become part of its new story (even though it is not a completely new story). DNA surveys among the Czech population prove that stories about common Slavic roots are not based on reality as only about a third of Czechs actually have Slavic genes.

[@ZdenekHadascok]

Hey Jen! Another great video! I really like the way you nudging your viewer, instead of pushing or shoving as is so common these days. It's inoffensive and effective. I think. 😉 This was one of the main deciding factors why I moved to the US. If I moved to Germany or UK, I could become a citizen, maybe even be accepted by locals, but I could never become German or Briton. In the US, I felt I'm part of the "machine" so to speak, long before I became officially a citizen. So you are absolutely correct in your analysis.

[@MichalTrachta]

Jane, poprvé si zastavuji tvé video v čase 3:00 - ne opravdu ne - že se musí tady všichni narodit. Mám předky samozřejmě z Čech, ale i Moravy, Rakouska, Slovenska, Německa, Itálie. Jenom co vím tak 200 let zpátky a jen z tátovo strany :-D O tom to není. A moc ti držím palce. Budeš Češka jako poleno :-D

[@Hanysliveslife]

I know exactly how you feel. Listening to your video I am thinking and going through exactly the same feelings. I live in Scotland for over 10 years now and I admire how proud and Scottish people here are. I love how patriotic and traditional they are and how keeping the tartan, bagpipes, Gaelic language etc. important is. I see all of this and know I will never be Scottish and never be accepted as one (even though people saying you're one af us now). My accent will always be a bit off and my understanding of certain things will always be a little bit limited because I missed the whole "growing up here" part. When I was deciding if wearing kilt for my wedding and asked many Scottish people majority said I shouldn't because I'm not really Scotsman. No matter how much you want to embrace the culture or how much you like it. (I know I can wear whatever I want but you know what I mean by that) I'm sure if I stay here, it will be easier for my kids or grandkids but I will always be that Czech guy. On the other hand I wouldn't want my Czechness to disappear either... I think that's that hard part of living abroad. I have to say, you both are doing great though. I really appreciate your views on the country I grew up at. It makes me realize how important it is not to forget where we're coming from and take it as an advantage and never as a hold back.

[@afiiik1]

I think the language is the biggest part of being perceived as Czech 🤔 especially the accent. As for feeling Czech... I don't know. For me, being Czech means feeling a connection to the land, the traditions and the history/worldview. I think you can acquire this connection through love - meaning you fall in love with the land and the traditions and the history/worldview. But what do I know, I haven't really lived in any other country long term 😁

[@DreamPrague]

Iva, I think you're right. Language first, and then: wanting to be here and a real appreciation and fascination with Czech culture.

[@afiiik1]

@@DreamPrague feeling Czech and being perceived as Czech are two separate things🤔 some people who are born to Czech parents and speak perfect Czech don't feel Czech at all. And a lot of people who have a foreign accent do feel Czech

[@BigJuris]

You do not need to be True Czech :) we still love you :)

[@ivanawells4748]

Hi Jenn, very interesting, I have listened to few other episodes of yours, primarily exploring Prague. Here is my story, I’m born in Prague, but left the country in 1968 during the Russian occupation, I lived for a while in Vienna, then in Stockholm and eventually ended up in Canada Toronto. It’s been 45 long years and even so I received my citizenship within a year due marriage to Canadian I still don’t consider myself true Canadian. Also I lost my czech citizenships while back, due to the fact I continued to use my maiden name, which a the time after 1989 was allowed, but later not. I didn’t want to go through the hassles of lots of paper work so left it be. I do travel often to Prague to visit my friends and some relatives, but starting to feel a bit disconnected after such a long time, but can’t wait to go back next spring. Me and my husband also have a home in Florida where we spend the winters, 5 months a year due to the harsh winters here in Canada. And I must say, I enjoy the Americans much more then the Canadians, very friendly and open people and easy to communicate with, so here you go, my czech language is impeccable, just a bit old fashioned I was told, but that’s because of me being so called of the older generation. Enjoying your podcasts, just came across them today. Cheers Ivana

[@andre1987eph]

Interesting story about your Czech being “old”

[@veracoley6721]

I became a US citizen at a naval submarine base on Memorial Day 2017. I originally went through the process to qualify for certain jobs, but I got pretty emotional during the naturalization ceremony. It was so beautiful. I’m proud to be an American, but at the same time, I will always be a proud Czech. My friends and co-workers treat me as an equal, but I still feel out of touch when they mention some shows or trends growing up. Like, do you remember so and so? Nope, wasn’t there. Love your channel!

This is brilliant observation. I have not became US citizen, but I lived in the US for many years on working visas. I definitely loved how people accepts you as a foreigner. As a Czech I was a bit puzzled by people welcoming me in their country anytime I told them I just moved in couple months ago. But I learned to love it and appreciate it. I'd say this is almost US specific and that US is the most welcoming country. I've lived in New Zealand for example and locals, while being nice, always made it clear that we are foreigners.

[@jesikas.7737]

Jen, thank you again for this well prepared video. Nationality, citizenship, ancestors, blood, national heritage etc have been my topics since I started learning languages and traveling. I am Czech, and I lived abroad for 21 years (NL and Germany), now back in CZ again. Your video is far better thought-through than my first university work in the first year when I tried to field research about how children feel where they belong, in these terms. In Czech, we work with two clear terms, citizenship and nationality. The Dutch don't, they - in non-academic areas at least - only use 'nationality'. So the children replying my questionnaire back then, answered the question about their nationality and their citizenship, the same, although they clearly had different background. This topic is so wide! A friend of mine, in Germany, has parents from Sweden and Chile. She herself has got a Swedish passport, though she feels being German as she's always lived there. I used to live in Germany, but even if I had applied for the German passport, I would not have started feeling German (nationality-wise) though I would have became a German citizen. But... what if I had kids? What would they feel? And... is it or is it not so important?

[@ladaminuetkittens5216]

An International person is the answer. My friend has Spanish father and German mother. She was born and lives in France. She spent her summers in Germany and Spain with grandparents. She has three”mother tongs”. Her English is fluent and she said - it was soooo easy to learn it as the fourth language. She is European. Our future is there. Become first European and than International. No limits.

[@Jan-yr7bt]

I like your open minded perspective on this topic. Personally, I think it's more complicated than just citizenship and how it's acquired. E.g., my dad's Czech, but I grew up abroad and only started learning Czech as an adult. So even though I am eligible for Czech citizenship (by blood), have a Czech name, grew up watching "Pat a Mat", eating my Czech grandma's food, etc, I'd probably not be considered to be a true Czech until I master the language on a native level (or maybe not even then :D). However, I do believe that children who immigrate to Czechia (for example, Ukrainian refugees rn or people from the Vietnamese community), who learn the language to a native level, have their lives, friends, etc. in Czechia will consider themselves to be (also) Czechs and will be considered to be Czechs by locals too. So I guess that while heritage plays an important role, language, and wether Czechia is "your home" are also important factors. 😊

[@lenkahrachova5233]

Already your way of thinking and thoughts in general make you Czech, and no matter what Czech republic is actually really blessed having you there. I see what you mean and can relate as I want to do something similar in another country. Still I think until you feel welcomed with friendly behaviour, everything is ok. Anyways just the best of luck to all your upcoming tests I'm sure you'll be great as you're a hard worker. GL and take care!!

[@martinklumpar1765]

Držím vám palce Jenn!

[@annapohludka82]

Hi Jen, I actually really think that you are able to understand our nation and you already know czech humour well. I'm sure that many Czechs don't see that the same way, but you are proof that "Czechness" can be learned. :) So don't worry, you will be an amazing Czech (and the language isn't a barrier). :)

Thanks for the really interesting view. I knew about citizenship differences, but in fact never thought about it that deeply. No worries, You became a part of "our" pattern one day. I think to adapt the new country in your blood just needs more than 10 years. Another 10 with our passport and You will feel like one of us, and we will feel You as one of us :) Good luck with exams :)

[@SuperPasiaczek]

Such an interesting story! Really got me thinking. First thing that came to my mind was that it's not that Czechs are so Czech, I mean they are so intertwined with the German/Austrian culture, language, and history, I think more than any other Slavic nation is. There are many Czech names that sound suspiciously German :) Also, I am a foreigner who lives in Brno - and there are sooo many people of different backgrounds here, and not especially from all over the world (but also), but from Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Poland - all the countries in the region. And actually one thing that I noticed, there are quite a few Czechs who consider themselves very Czech, and actually are Czech like, in the first or second generation - I mean, it's their parents or grandparents who immigrated here (mostly from Slovakia or Hungary). Maybe my perspective is different because I differentiate more people from the region, as a person from a different but close country myself. Anyway, I know I will never be truly Czech. I will always feel Polish at my heart I guess, but that's okay, I think it's cool that we - the foreigners - bring in other perspective and experience to this country, I think of it as an asset, or at least, I try my best for it to be an asset, at least in my case. Really great video! :)

[@DreamPrague]

Thank you for your perspective, Marta! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Kirarak]

It would take at least 100 years before Slovaks are really considered foreigners. That's really a different topic :)

[@stepanvopat2162]

Well Jenn, I do believe I've understood Your point. And I would agree that, mainly because of a little different history, we are a bit odd than most of other European nations. Though a completed test can't make a member of a nation. You with Honda know, and understand, more about being Czech than some Czechs by blood. You've proved it in videos. About You not feeling Czech, perhaps You are a new Czech, majority to be. Me, personally, would like we turn more like You. More open, more understanding, more responsible. We can learn in Europe and in US. We can improve without losing our selves. People with Your attitude can enrich any country.

[@conceptalfa]

👍 👍 👍!!!

[@kasperdavid1]

Slyšel jsem, že jeden ze znaků, kdy se člověk stává součástí národa je ten, že začíná intuitivně používat kolektivní "my". (Tedy: "My Češi máme rádi svíčkovou" vs. "Češi mají rádi svíčkovou"). Překážky mohou být na obou stranách: Neochota někoho nového přijmout a zároveň mentální blok cizince, kterému se prostě spousta věcí v Čechách příčí, a nechce splynout s davem.

[@glondikeink2167]

I am a Slovak married to a Czech. My grandparents from my mother’s side were German, Polish, Austrian and Hungarian. I have no idea what bloodlines there are on my father’s side of family but I inherited a genetic condition with origins in the Middle East that go thousands of years back. If you look at DNA analysis of the Czech nation, it is only about 33% Slavic. So much for being Czech or Slovak :-D.

[@conceptalfa]

👍 👍 👍!!!

[@jenniferhalat6335]

Jen, I think you are more Czech than me! I was born in Australia to a Czech mother and Slovak father (both were born Czechoslovaks and immigrated to Melbourne in 1950). I didn’t feel Czech growing up, but also didn’t feel completely Australian because of my Czech heritage. As a child I didn’t speak Czech although I understood the Czech conversations of my parents and grandparents. In 2016 I applied for citizenship on the basis of my Czech heritage and felt honoured to receive my Czech passport. I started trying to become ‘worthy’ of this status and went to Czech language classes and started reading Czech history. I have not been very successful at these tasks, particularly the Czech language, which still eludes me. So I don’t feel very Czech. A friend of my who was born in Poland would always comment on my jokes (which are spoken in English) saying “you have a typical Czech sense of humour”. I am not sure if works like about this but have a sense of pride at the thought that there is some Czech in me even without speaking the language.

[@Ferauen]

Dont worry, you ARE one of as. Vždyt nás znáš, máme tě rádi a jsme rádi, že se ti tu líbí :)

[@DavidBusa]

Získání amerického občanství je svým způsobem konec cesty "stát se američanem". Oproti tomu získání českého je vlastně jen start k tomu stát se "čechem" (češkou). Perfektně odpovídá konceptům "by soil" a "by blood". Držím palce u testů ;-)

[@teegmobile1867]

Hi Jen, I was born in Slovakia, but I'm part of the Hungarian minority here. Despite having Slovak and Hungarian ancestors and being bilingual, some Slovaks will always see me as a Hungarian, and Hungarians as a Slovak. So please don't worry for a second for not being fully accepted as a Czech, cause you don't need to blend in when you have so much to be proud of!:) Wish you all the best and congratulations on your new citizenship!!!:))

[@matija7727]

Hi Jen, I'm just curious, one of your ancestors' surnames you mentioned sounds Croatian. Did your ancestors emigrate from Croatia? If so, you could be eligible for Croatian citizenship as a direct descendant of such person. No need to know the language, nor live there and no need to give up current citizenship in this case. I just recently became Czech citizen, by descent.

Later in the video Jen says it's Montenegro.

[@matija7727]

@ Oh, missed that, thanks. Bay of Kotor. For most of the time since 1815 that was part of the same country as present day Croatia (Austria / Austria-Hungary / Yugoslavia). Just for clarification, the law says if the ancestor was Croatian national or identified himself/herself as Croatian, and the area where he/she emigrated from was at the time of emigration part of the same country as present day Croatia, a descendant of such person could still be eligible. Maybe something to check out ...

[@KMarik]

Na celém “češství” si nejvíce cením té naší nádherné češtiny.

[@Jan-Sery]

I can't speak for myself because I've come back to CZ to study, but I know a few Czechs with the Swiss, Austrian, or even Australian citizenship. They're thankful/proud/glad to have been born in the Czech republic, but it's not their home anymore. They go back from time to time for vacation and to visit their families, but they wouldn't want to live here anymore. Some of the people Michal Šopor has interviewed in the USA have said the same thing.

[@EllieHGade]

As a Czech person living in Denmark, I totally relate to this. No matter how much I'd speak the language, understand and relate to culture and have the same sense of humour (czech and danish humour are surprisingly close) - I'll never be considered to be 'real dane' :-) And it's okay, I guess :-)

[@DreamPrague]

You’re like me! It’s okay to be both, we have more interesting perspectives. 😎

[@TolonusCZ]

Being Czech is sometimes more of a mentality and I guess the humor too and I think you are already one of us, your We are #1 video was totally on point critic of both your halves and totally hilarious and I shall proclaim you as OURS Jsi naše děvče pražské.

[@luiscarlosacuna5084]

Hi, I like your videos, good luck with the tests. I received Czech citizenship last month and it is not easy.

[@kphenckel]

I’m a Czech-American. I have lived in the US since 99 with a 4-year break in Germany. 100% Czech still…probably even more Czech now than when I lived in Czech. I like your videos very much.👍

[@lidawalsh103]

It is a strange concept. I am Czech with British passport , living in the UK for mor then 25 years and I will never be truly British. But my children are truly British. They grown here (in London) and they feel British and not Czech (they are dual nationality). I guess it is the first generation that feels the home country is what they feel they are, and I guess it my apply for the Americans, but because, they are all from somewhere else, it is easier for them.

[@leonardhigheagle6332]

I'm Czech and I live in UK. I'm seriously thinking to get dual citizenship. But even if I succeed I don't think I will ever be on the same level as Brits who were born here. I think there will always be some difference. But that always happened to be like this. Our friends ancestors came here from one of the Baltic countries and while they probably didn't feel completely English they did all they could to become close to locals, changed their surname to English one and when you meet the family now you would never think there's anything foreign about them. So I might be always part foreigner no matter what passports I might have my children will be British as anyone else being born and living here. Don't worry too much about it. Being as close to Czech nationality as American you can be is still great and everyone around you should appreciate it, as you are doing a lot to achieve it. Good luck with the exams!

[@siccosicco3871]

Narodil jsem se v Praze, jako kluk v paneláku. Se ženou jsme se z Prahy na vesnici přistěhovali před více jak deset lety. Hodně jsme se naučili. Sekám trávník, chováme slepice a husy, umím s motorovou pilou kácet stromy, sázíme zeleninu, umím husu zabít, manželka umí husu oškubat, vyvrhnout. Celkově jsme zapadli mezi zdejší lidi, stali se z nás vesničané. Přesto mi chlapi v hospodě neřeknou jinak, než Pražáku. Pro zdejší lidi nebudu nikdy místní, nebudu opravdový vesničan. Tak to prostě je.

[@sashakartus3435]

Thank You ! Zacala jste tady velice zajimavou konverzaci lidi, se zajimavyma zkusenostma. My Cesi mame radi, kdyz se nekomu v Cesku libi, kdyz se snazi naucit nasi rec, a mozna obzvlast kdyz jsou az z USA !!

[@vickie9964]

Jsi Češka s americkými kořeny, Jen! I got my Czech citizenship in 2014, after my family migrated here in 2001. Since I moved here when I was 7, I learnt to speak Czech without any accent. My best friends are Czech and they the best people I have ever met! Now to the point, when you mentioned that guy saying that you will never be able to understand the Czech humor unless you know the language best and read a list of books yada yada..., just screw him! I feel like some people need to belittle others just so they feel their importance and that they are special when in fact they are not. He probably did not want to admit that your life journey is more colorful than his. I live in Seattle now, my life brought me here because of my American husband and nobody cares where I am from and that I have a Czech accent when speaking English, which I enjoy. Kéž bychom si spolu daly někdy pivko :D

[@janhank2302]

To jsou už hodně hluboké myšlenky.Zvláště teď večer,a po jídle.

[@RadekKapoun]

zajímavé téma a také zajímavé komentáře. Zdá se mi, že věc má dvě roviny :-? 1. to jak tě vnímají ostatní 2. to jak vnímáš ty sama sebe (kým se cítíš).....což je evidentně velmi individuální věc, a u každého to funguje jinak

[@rizek6670]

Jen, you'll be I guess very surprised with the reaction of Czech people around you after you'll show them the Czech passport. I hope you'll feel Czech. Really.

[@DreamPrague]

Ha, we'll see! I can't wait to waive it about at the airport. :)

[@NetAndyCz]

I would be very surprised by someone showing me Czech passport to prove they are Czech. I think the normal reaction would be to show Czech ID.

[@pioneersaigon]

I have seen many czechs who migrated abroad. The first generation is always kind of lost. They did not feel to be Czech anymore, but still not domesticated 100% to US or other country. But I honestli think it seems like you are right more more Czech than American. 🙂

[@frtra]

No Jen, the multikulti origin is not uniquely American, you just talk about it in the US. Consider how many German surnames there is in CZ, every second family has German ancestors. We just don't talk about it and pretend to be "Czechs" by blood. But we aren't.

[@quicksilver2446]

Exactly ! Czechs are desperate to cling on to their nationality, but in reality they are historically a melting pot from Germania/Slavic tribes !!

[@katerinadehning1685]

I am born Czech, who became an American citizen many years ago (17🤔). And yes, they made me feel, and all of us that day, that if we wouldn't come to USA, it would be not the same without us, not as good, our piece would be missing. It was very touching, emotional and unforgettable feeling, that I sadly never knew from my homeland. The pride to belong. Dispite that and also the fact that most of my family are Americans, other born Americans would never view me as a "real" American. With my accent and different experiences and views, I am always the foreigner. Some treat me better for it, some worse, most, luckily, don't care just acknowledge the difference :). Interestingly, after while same happened in Czech. After so many years abroad (30), my country men view me differently too. Not necessarily as a foreign just as a different creature :). They no longer think I can fully understand them as I wasn't developing in the country with them in the past few decades. I discussed this theme with many people who changed their homelands throughout their lives, and we agreed that we are our "own breed". Doesn't matter which country you came from and to which country you moved to. With our experience you can never be the Czech, who never left the country, and you can never be the American, who grew up with the system! The key is to be ok with that. To embrace this unique experience, the richness of life in different cultures, meeting so many great people along the way and understand what many never will. For me, Czech gave me roots and America gave me wings. For that I love both countries dearly. Welcome to this beautiful world, Jen!