Ship Ahoy!
Well, not just yet.
As we all (may or may not) know, students of the Mass Communication Bachelor's program will undergo an on-campus residency period in the Oklahoma, United States. In this entry, I will share with you the dos and don'ts, pain, sweat, and tears that we all go through preparing for this residency.
So copy+paste this, bookmark this entry, whatever - this is invaluable advice so listen up:
Flying Without Wings
Since my batch is going in December - which is probably the busiest month of the year - we are coughing out lots and lots and lots of ka-ching! money just for the air tickets. The prices for the air tickets range from S$2000-S$3000, depending on which airline you are flying with. However, you can always find cheaper alternatives - either by buying it online or visiting the STA Travel website (offering attractive student prices)
www.statravel.com.sgMastercard? No go. Got Visa? Enter!OK, lame joke but yeah. I just got mine today (yay!) and believe me, the U.S. Visa is the hardest to get, even when you have a letter from school, due to tightened security after the 9/11. Too many forms to fill and too many things to pay before you can even queue in front of Napier Road (where the embassy is).
The I-20 form has to be filled in correctly, the SEVIS Form has to be paid (around US$200 and this might change overtime), with a cashier's order addressed to AMERICAN EMBASSY, SINGAPORE (you will have to get this one right, no other names since no cash will be accepted), and DS forms to be filled in. You have to prepare 5cm x 5cm ID pictures of your cute lil' self, accompanied with your sponsor's letter and their account statements, and most importantly, your passport and the appointment letter!
These are the things to be prepared too before you make your way down to the embassy. After several security checks and long queues (take a number, the third button, after you are allowed to go in), your number will be called to submit all your documents + the Cashier's Order to one of the booths there. Then, wait to get your fingerprints scanned on an electronic device, and wait again, for the interview! (Tip - just answer whatever they ask). The queue will take longer for your interview but patience is a virtue as they say. However, despite the wait and all, they are really organized and efficient and you can sigh "home sweet home" once they say "Alright, your visa has been approved" in their American twang.
A Great Excuse to Shop for New Clothes
This depends greatly on which month you are going. Since I am going in December, I will have to bring plenty of warm winter clothes to keep me moving... (I like to move it move it...:p)
And I heard that you will still need warm, thick clothes even if you are traveling in spring. The weather is said to be unpredictable and you don't want to go around in your hot pants and skimpy T-shirt, do you? Anyhow, I seriously hope that there won't be any thunderstorms or hailstorms during my stay there.
But then again, who knows?
Miscellaneous
Got a favorite raggedy teddy bear that you can never sleep without with? Bring it. Personal items that you deem important - chuck them in your suitcase and treat them on a long-haul flight. Why? Simply because you'd never know when you are going to be homesick.
And cameras! In this digital age, it is easier to take snapshots of everything instead of just relying on your own internal memory. Right?
And last but not least:
YOURSELF!Keep yourself fit. You and I know that we are not going there just to have fun. We have three remaining classes to be completed at OCU. Bring your stinky old sneakers/sports shoes too as there will be one module that requires you to run!
So start saving now, people, especially for you shopaholics out there. I'll give you clues: Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, GAP, American Apparel, factory prices. Uh huh..
That's all for now, folks. I will be sure to update you again about and after the Residency.
And my advise: Listen and liase with your darling student coordinator. Get tips from your seniors and remember to read the little yellow booklet.
Wish me luck!
by Arbella Salim
