My personal 17-year journey ended with 222 other people from 63 countries in becoming U.S. citizens in Brooklyn federal court. The judge administering the oath was Frederic Block, whose own mother fled from Russia to America in 1908 because of anti-Semitism. 

“When I look at all of you it always reminds me of how all of us and all the people up here made the same journey, either directly or because of our parents,” Block said.

My own path to America began in the 1970s, with my South Korean parents who needed to leave post-war Seoul. They decided to have their children in Canada, where I grew up.

But after seven years of working in TV news from Halifax to Ottawa, Calgary to Toronto, the pull of the United States was undeniable. In 2002, I arrived in New York.

After a half-dozen work visas, marriage, a green card and kids all led up to studying for the citizenship test.

The NY1 control room crew helped me study and loved playing "stump the anchor".

The test consists of 10 questions covering American history and civics. You need six right answers to pass.  And for every one that's easy, there are more that are not.

• QUIZ: Can You Answer These Citizenship Test Sample Questions?

Then, test day! 

Two weeks after the test was oath ceremony day.

After a surprise invitation from Judge Block to bring my family to his chambers and chat before we were all sworn in, he invited me to wish my new fellow citizens the best.

"I look around this room today and I see my parents," I said. "You have to dream big, you have to take a jump and believe the net is going to appear to catch you." 

After the oath, there is one final ritual, which involves lining up to receive a certificate of citizenship and a welcome letter from the president. "Dear Fellow American," it starts.

My journey is over, but something else begins.

"I am so very happy. I am proof that United States gives so many opportunities," said Silvia Lucero, a new U.S. Citizen.  

"They're all walking out as citizens of one country, the United States," said Gina Pastor, USCIS Brooklyn Director.  

For me and mine, hours at the courthouse meant the first order of business as a full-fledged American family was to eat.