The Visa, or My Highly Successful Trip to the Egyptian Embassy

I went to the Egyptian embassy to apply for my visa today. Actually, I spent most of the morning running around, including the trip I made to the post office (where I had never actually been before, since I do all my shipping stuff at the UPS store) in order to get a certified envelope. So, everything was kind of a hassle until I got to the embassy. It's right by UDC, and I actually walked there from the post office. It's snowing out and it was really gorgeous. Then I got to the embassy, which was also really pretty, and did my visa application stuff. The staff there was really nice, and the woman behind the desk helped me with the stuff on the application form that I wasn't sure about. And there was absolutely no line. It was *so* different from applying for any kind of U.S. government document.

Also, on an unrelated note, I went grocery shopping for the first time in like a month and a half. Yay for food!

Airline Tickets

I got my airline tickets yesterday:

Flight number: BA0298
From: O'Hare (Chicago)
To: Heathrow (London)
Depart: 23 Jan 2008 19:55
Arrive: 24 Jan 2008 09:30
Operated by: British Airways

Flight number: BA0155
From: Heathrow (London)
To: Cairo
Depart: 24 Jan 2008 16:25
Arrive: 24 Jan 2008 23:05
Operated by: British Airways

Flight number: BA0154
From: Cairo
To: Heathrow (London)
Depart: 2 Jun 2008 08:35
Arrive: 2 Jun 2008 11:35
Operated by: British Airways

Flight number: BA0113
From: Heathrow (London)
To: John F Kennedy (New York)
Depart: 2 Jun 2008 15:30
Arrive: 2 Jun 2008 18:10
Operated by: British Airways

Flight number: BA5359
From: John F Kennedy (New York)
To: Regan Nat. (Washington DC)
Depart: 2 Jun 2008 22:35
Arrive: 2 Jun 2008 23:45
Operated by: SUBSIDIARY/FRANCHISE

Whee, I'm going to Cairo!

Accepted!

I've just been notified that my application was accepted! Saasfir ileh al-Qahirah!* I have a lot of pre-departure stuff to work on now, but I'm very excited. La antethir!**


*I'm going to Cairo!
**I can't wait!

Updates...

Oh, by the way, I got around to asking Kristin (my advisor) when I should hear about Cairo. She said late October or early November.

I got an e-mail late last week from AUC asking where my recommendation from Professor Berg was. I forwarded the e-mail to Kristin and asked her what was up, since Professor Berg was writing recommendations for several of the students and I thought he was planning to give them all to Kristin together. In any case, I gave him the form, so my part was supposed to be done! ^^; I hope hope hope that Kristin figures out what's up - this weekend was fall break, so I haven't heard back from her yet. Also... how did they know that the recommendation was from Professor Berg if they didn't have it? Ooh là là, intrigue!

Complete. Meep!

I turned my application in on Monday. Now all we can do is, à la the Chudley Cannons, "cross our fingers and hope for the best." I actually have no idea when I'm supposed to hear about acceptance (or non-acceptance). I should probably find that out.

Salaam!

The Application Process, Continued...

I've finished my application materials now, except that I still need to get three passport-sized photographs (why three?), and finish the essay.

Explain why you have chosen to study abroad in Egypt. Outline the steps you have taken to prepare yourself for this experience, and how you anticipate this experience will relate to your future goals.

I started it, but it sounds so much less interesting written out than in seems in my head. I write like an IR textbook... I wonder why that is. So, when it's done, it will convey what I need it to, but it will read like a UN resolution. If only there were an interview process like when I was applying to colleges; I'm convinced AU only let me in because after meeting me, they realized that I was not actually as boring as I came across in writing.

Anyhow, the application is due Monday, so... judgement day approaches. I will, of course, keep you apprised. Salaam!

Starting My Application

Hi everyone! This blog is going to be my account of my study abroad at the American University in Cairo. I'm starting it now so that I can include my experiences in the application process, as well. In case you're curious about the blog's title, Amrikiya Fi Misr is a transliteration of the Arabic for "An American in Egypt."

I had an appointment with my study abroad advisor, Kristin, today. The date for my application stuff to be into the office here is September 24th, which is coming up pretty fast. I already have some stuff done, though, like a lot of the online application stuff and some of the forms I have to submit. I'm meeting with my academic advisor tomorrow to talk about what classes I may want to take when I'm there, and to have him sign off on a form as well. The big things I still have to do are to write my essay, and to get recommendations. The essay shouldn't be too bad; it's basically like any college application essay, if not easier. I've already asked a few people about recommendations: my Arabic professor, George, said that he'd write mine... I just have to give him the form. I also talked to Reem today, who was my supervisor when I worked at CAIR Chicago this summer, and she said that she'd be happy to recommend me. I'll probably fax the form to her at the CAIR office in the next few days. I was just thinking that I might have time to do it Friday, but I actually have a friend from out of town coming in. I'll just have to make time to do it tomorrow, after my classes and my advisor appointment (I'll still be done by about 3, I just will have been running around non-stop all day. Silly busy Lori).

Also, I was filling out the basic student data sheets for AU Cairo, and the International student Data Sheet asks you your religion. I hope they know what a Unitarian Universalist is... we're fairly obscure even in America, and I doubt there are any (or hardly any) in Egypt. Oh well.

Anyway, I've got tons of stuff to do. However, I'll be sure to keep you posted on the whole process. Salaam!