Remember I said I was going to the USA? Now, here’s the story:
I have been awarded a scholarship to undergo a turtle conservation training in the USA by the Asian Scholarship Program for in situ Chelonian Conservation. The scholarship is only awarded to two participants from the Asian countries every year, since the inception in 2000. I am the first participant to represent Malaysia, and the other participant is a male Laotian student who is doing his Master’s.
It is a 4-month scholarship, and involves professional training in the conservation of turtles (including sea turtles, freshwater turtles and tortoises, I presume). The flow of the program has yet to be finalized but according to the Director of the Program, we (the Laotian Cambodian student and I) would be spending one month visiting turtle scientists and turtle research centers in New Jersey, Tennessee, Florida and maybe California.
And the remaining 3 months would be spent at the Wetlands Institute at Stone Harbor, New Jersey. The training will be conducted at the Wetlands Institute, together with other local participants.
I am not sure how the program is going to be like, so I really can’t be making plans to meet anybody in the US. Plus, I would be under the care of the Director of the Program, so it might not be a very good idea to “go out and meet friends I’ve never met”, if you know what I mean :D But if it’s convenient for you to come and see me, I am sure it wouldn’t be too much a problem (directions to the Wetlands Institute) :)
But I need a favour from you guys..
I have applied for a US Visa online, and my interview at the US Embassy has been scheduled for next week. Have you applied for a US Visa recently? How did the interview go? What were the questions that were asked? Was it tough?
Please share with me your interview stories! :)
Are you applying for J1 visa?
If you get a nasty interviewer, you might be asked to show evidences of social economic ties and other binding ties back home that will compel you to return after the short stint, Many years ago, I was denied the visa during the first time under section 221(g), but it was approved after submitting more evidences of house ownership, saving in the bank, letter from my thesis supervisor, etc,
The nasty interviewer I got the first time basically denied everyone’s application that afternoon I was there. The second time, I tried to avoid getting her, so I asked to be interviewed in Mandarin. I got a Caucasian interviewer who could speak Mandarin, but he interviewed me in English because he knew I could speak English. :-)
Yay! Way to go! Congratulations and say hi to the turtles.
Wow! Congratulations!!! I’m so proud of you. Make Malaysia proud ya. :heart:
Congratulations on the scholarship, dai kah cher!
It’s definitely not easy to get another chance like this, and I’m glad you’ve made it! All the best and hope that we can still keep in touch!
Take care! :smile:
Congrats!! I am sure your trip will be fantastic and rewarding. Trips like this help you learn so much about yourself as well that whatever happen you’ll end up growing a lot through the experience. Good luck, hopefully you’ll keep us updated when you are in the USA, it would be nice to read about your experience.
Wow, that’s so cool! Especially on a scholarship, you’re truly lucky (I know you worked for it).
I have plenty of experiences with the US not with visas though (I’m exempted…). I’d say, be honest, straightforward, don’t take it for yourself if they are a bit… er… “rude”. They just want to see you’re gonna do what you’re supposed to do (= study) and leave the country after that. So make sure you don’t emphasize on knowing too many people in the USA, wanting to stay after etc.
Good luck!
Hey, I just had to comment. I saw an old comment you wrote on this guy’s page about his “wordpress” spelling. That made me laugh… Anyway, I just wanted to tell you to relax a little.. Noone really worries about little nonsense like that.. Unless you work for the company are writing tech docs or whatever…. Hehehe, sorry, I had to tease you…. So I like your page, it’s very cool… Good luck with the U.S thing.. Take care.. I’m in NYC, stop by and say hello…
If you end up going to florida, please drop a note on my blog at arthritisquest.com. I’m originally from south florida and grew up on a turtle preserve (freshwater), just a few miles from the beach. Also, we had a tortoise but we had to give it away.
Congratulations babe…All the best for your future ;)
Pearl
Congratulations! Hope you get what you want out of this opportunity.