Visa Troubles

Taking time out of a normal American life and traveling to another country for an extended period of time can be sneaky. You never think there are going to be complications until they come jumping out behind corners and out of dark alleyways.

I am always over-prepared for everything. I pack way too much in my luggage, I email lengthy inquiries to triple-check what I already know. Sometimes it can take the joy out of spontaneous adventure because, well, nothing is spontaneous about it. But I can't sleep at night unless I know everything is in order.

Five months ago, April 2009, I began preparation for my Student Visa from the UK Boarder Agency. I was making calls overseas at 2 am, calling my bank every week, emailing throughout the day to try to get my Student Visa sent in with all the proper paperwork and in enough time to get an answer from them before I leave. At the end of June I finally had everything I needed: transcripts, letters of recommendation, bank statements, bank letters, passports old and new and then some. A month and a half later I received a notice on my door step that I had a package from the UK Boarder Agency waiting for me at UPS. I rushed down to open it with excitement wondering, "What does a Student Visa look like?" "How did my picture turn out?" "Will they send me my paperwork back?"

As soon as I opened the package, there it was - REFUSED ENTRY CLEARANCE. And you know the saying, "It's all downhill from there..." My life is no exception.

I have no choice but to go into the UK on a Student Visitor Visa - very different from a Student Visa. So after a summer of no work, I will not be able to get a job in the UK, I have to return to my home country within six months, and I have to buy a plane ticket home before I leave after already being out $250 for the first Student Visa application that was refused.

I tried calling the school - they tried calling the UK Boarder Agency only to get an automated telephone service. I tried visiting both of my State Senators' Offices - they tried telling a foreign government (the British no less) to let me into their country only to get laughed at by the state department. I tried sending in an Administrative Review for an appeal - they told me I wasn't qualified for a review because I was denied my Student Visa (it didn't make sense to me either).

What a first impression of a country I will be spending the next 10 months in.

Oh yes, and in the mail Saturday I receive my first Jury Duty Notice, six days before I'm supposed to be in another country. Is this a sign?

Three days until I leave.