A Blog about Education Abroad

Author: Sarah-J

  • Caylynn at the University of Kent, UK

    Caylynn at the University of Kent, UK

    Pre-departure:

    The pre-departure preparation is essential in order to ensure that your time abroad is well organised, and that you feel comfortable with your new adventure away from home.  Personally, I did not have to go through the visa application, as I am on a European passport which could be used for my travels.  However, in talking to other exchange students that were embarking on an abroad programme, I would suggest that you start the visa process soon after your acceptance, as it usually requires admin and time.

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  • Talia at Åbo Akademi, Finland

    Talia at Åbo Akademi, Finland

    Where to begin?!

    “Resfeber (n.) the tangled experience of fear and excitement before a journey begins”.

    Planning and organising the exchange took the most effort and time.

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  • Benjamin attends the System Dynamics Summer School at MIT, USA

    Benjamin attends the System Dynamics Summer School at MIT, USA

    Preparations for departure:

    The American visa is publicized as one of the hardest to acquire. Given the lengthy online application form that ought to be completed, such proclamations may contain some truth. Completing the online application form might take three hours if diligence (which is very necessary) is to be employed. Once the online visa application is completed; the next phase is booking appointment (online) to attend an interview at the embassy/consulate. There are three centers in South Africa, and the consulate in Cape Town is the closest venue in the Western Cape for interview. Usually, the nearest time-lapse between interview booking date and attendance is about three weeks to one month. This varies depending on the consulate´s backlog.

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