I had to apply for a F-1 Student Visa for the second time now, and I would consider myself as a expert by default. I have learned how to get the whole paper junk ready within 2 days and I feel inclined to share my experience, because I truly think that studying in the U.S. has made me who I am today.
Here is a “short” checklist of things you need to have put together before going to the U.S embassy:
I-20 (This is basically the official letter that will be send to you by the University once they accepted you)
I-901 receipt, also called Sevis fee. You need to pay this fee online and bring proof of payment (receipts) to the embassy.
DS-156, has to be filled out online and printed out. Make sure the bar code on the last page looks something like this. If it doesn’t they will send you out and will have you redo the form, print it out again until it looks right. (This happened to me, please learn from my mistake! Mine looked something like this: )
DS-157, can be found here, and has to be filled out electronically through Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program.
DS-158, can also be found here, fill it out electronically print it out and bring it with you.
A 5cmx5cm picture that fits the U.S. restrictions. You can find the restrictions here. (I would bring two pictures.)
Then you also need 3 months worth of bank statements. Be sure that the statements cover the amount that is stated on the I-20. If you are not paying for tuition and expenses yourself, be sure to include a letter from your sponsor with the last three bank statements.
Pay 140 US$ in Visa fees and bring proof of payment. (157.20 CHF in Switzerland)
Write a letter that states that you will be coming back after you are done with your stay. I included possible job offers, ties to friends and family as well as my membership with various clubs that will keep me from staying in the U.S.
Include a letter that is addressed to yourself and include sufficient postage. (5 CHF in Switzerland)
Bring your valid passport.
Once you have all those things ready or you are only missing a couple pieces, but you are confident you will get them in a conceivable amount of time, call the visa information center at 0900-87-8472 (for Swiss people). You can find your countries number here.
A few more tipps:
Be on time when you go to the embassy, there is usually a big line of people that is there for the same reason as you.
Be friendly with the people handling your paperwork. They only do what the U.S. Government asks them to do. It is not their fault that you have to go through all the hassle.
Talk to the people around you, it will take some of your nervousness away and you will get to know some really interesting people.
Bring a book, a newspaper, crossword puzzles, etc. I had to wait for 2 hours in the waiting room.
Good luck!
Disclaimer: The checklist is only a guideline. Be sure to check your country’s website for changes in policy.
I had a great time with Rachel and her parents in Texas. I enjoyed the time off of school and the great company. Here are some pictures: Flickr Pictures
Ich habe ein paar Tage mit Rachel und ihren Eltern in Texas verbracht. Es war gut auszuschalten und die Zeit ohne Uni zu geniessen. Hier geht’s zu den Bildern: Flickr Pictures
I know, I haven’t updated my blog in a while – I was busy, ok?! Stop whining! I just came back from this years Mountain West Conference Championship Meet in Oklahoma City (By the way. Why is North Texas so windy? ‘Cause Oklahoma sucks!). The Utes traveled all the way down there to compete against other schools of the MWC. Even though we finished last on the men’s side, we can be happy with what we achieved this year. We broke a couple of school records and kicked some “old fools” off the Top 10 lists.
I did my part. I got third with the 800y free relay (6:36.42), my split was a phenomenal 1:37.24. My 500y free was not as stellar, i finished sixth with a 4:29.44. – It was still a best time. The 200y free (1:38.52) went a little better, I finished fifth. On the last day I swam the mile, which took me 15:43.61 to finish (sixth), and the 400y free relay, where I split (44.98).
Ich weiss, ich habe schon seit längerem nichts mehr aktualisiert – ich war schwer beschäftigt, ok?! Hör auf rum zu wimmern! Gestern bin ich vom diesjährigen Mountain West Conference Championship Meeting in Oklahoma City zurückgekehrt. Wir haben uns relativ gut geschlagen obwohl wir am Ende nicht über den letzten Platz hinaus kamen. Dieses Wochenende wurden mehrere Teamrekorde gebrochen.
Ich habe meine Pflicht getan. Ich war Teil der 4×200y Crawl Staffel (meine Zeit in der Staffel war 1:37.24), welche mit 6:36.42 den dritten Platz einnahm. Zusätzlich schwamm ich über 500y Crawl auf den sechsten Platz, mit 4:29.44. Über 200y Crawl landete ich auf dem fünften Platz mit einer respektablen Zeit von 1:38.52. Am letzten Tag hatte ich das vergnügen mich über 1650y Crawl zu bewerben. Ich schlug mit 15:43.61 als sechster an. Mein letztes Rennen allerdings war die 4×100y Crawl Staffel, welche den vierten Platz einnahm und mir eine neue Staffelbestzeit bescherte (44.98).
October 12 Reddish Relays 4pm Salt Lake City
October 13 New Mexico (W) 12pm Salt Lake City
October 26 @ Denver/Arkansas(W) 4pm Denver
November 9 @ Arizona State (M) 2pm Tempe, AZ
November 10 UNLV 2pm Salt Lake City
November 16 Boise State (W) 4pm Salt Lake City
November 17 San Diego State (W) 11am Salt Lake City
December 14-17 UNLV Invitational All Day Las Vegas, NV
January 1-6 Winter Training OTC Colo Springs, CO
January 12 Texas Christian 11am Salt Lake City
January 19 Colorado State (W) 11am Salt Lake City
January 25 @ Wyoming 4pm Laramie, WY
January 26 @ Air Force 1 pm Colo Springs, CO
February 1 @ BYU 6pm Provo, UT
February 27-1 MWC Championships all day Oklahoma City
March TBD Women's NCAA Champs Columbus, OH
March TBD Men's NCAA Champs Seattle, WA
Dear Friends, today the Swiss Swimming Federation publicly announced the people that qualified for the University Games in Bangkok. Michel De Carolis and Marco Ferraro (that’s me) will represent Switzerland and therefore join Damian Brown, the third Ute, that will be diving for New Zealand at the Games.
Liebe Freunde, der Schweizerische Schwimmverband hat heute öffentlich die Schwimmer bekanntgegeben, welche an der Universiade in Bangkok starten werden. Michel De Carolis und Marco Ferraro (das bin ich), Vertreter der Schweiz, schliessen sich somit Damian Brown an, der dritte Ute, welcher Neuseeland an den internationalen Spielen repräsentieren wird.
If it doesn’t they will send you out and will have you redo the form, print it out again until it looks right. (This happened to me, please learn from my mistake! Mine looked something like this: 
)
Posted by makkeboome 
Posted by makkeboome 
Posted by makkeboome 
Ich weiss, ich habe schon seit längerem nichts mehr aktualisiert – ich war schwer beschäftigt, ok?! Hör auf rum zu wimmern! Gestern bin ich vom diesjährigen Mountain West Conference Championship Meeting in Oklahoma City zurückgekehrt. Wir haben uns relativ gut geschlagen obwohl wir am Ende nicht über den letzten Platz hinaus kamen. Dieses Wochenende wurden mehrere Teamrekorde gebrochen.
