Hello!
This is your host reporting from HKI. I'm now at my friend's place at Pikku-Huopalahti and have just come from my visa interview which lasted a whole 30 seconds and included three questions. After informing the secretary of my intentions in the US, she granted me my visa, which should be posted to me in about a couple of weeks. In the process leading up to the interview I had to get hold of a fair number of different papers including health insurance, receipts of SEVIS and MRV fees in addition to a proof of funding during the exchange.
Before reaching the half-minute interview, however, I had to queue in the falling snow for about half an hour, enter through a security check in which they x-rayed all of my stuff and then enter the embassy building to sit on a couch for about an hour. My appointment was due 09:45AM but due to the long queues it was delayed until after 11AM. I wonder why the embassy insists the participants come to an interview in person when it is of such trivial nature.
Nevertheless, it's nice to be in Helsinki again! Maybe this evening I'll celebrate my visa with a beer or two (or several).
My study exchange blog, containing writings regarding a study exchange period in Hyderabad, India, and associated adventures.
