 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-07-24 11:47
Apologies in advance...I am not normally one to vent publicly, but here goes...
Some of you may know that my husband and I are heading to the US so he can complete a Masters, and I will be playing in ensembles, taking oboe lessons and other study.
It has been a gruelling process, from the initial tour of the US last year (8 universities in 2 weeks!) to the applications, trying to sell the house and not succeeding, finding someone to rent it, wrangling with the department to get unpaid leave for 2 yrs, you name it, we've done it! The final hurdle was the visa.
For anyone who has travelled to the US for purposes other than a holiday, you possibly have similar stories! We applied for a J-1 visa, which enables me to work and study as a dependent. As soon as we stepped up for our interview, we were told my partner wasn't eligible for a visa (he overclaimed a small amount of social security as a teenager, and it has remained on his record). Our interviewer recommended a waiver, but we were told it could take up to 4 weeks to hear from DC. That 4 weeks came up nearly a week ago. We still haven't heard. We need to arrive on campus 2 weeks from today. As of tomorrow, we no longer have a job (have to take the leave at least for this term).
If it all turns upside down, I am going to be doing not a lot for 3 months...which oboistically could be a good thing (lots of practice time)! And I may yet get to buy that cor with the money I've saved to go away...but it won't replace the experience of studying in the US.
Vent over. Has anyone else had problems with this sort of thing?
Rachel
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Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2011-07-24 17:04
So sorry to hear that Rachel. It's not the first time i have heard of someone having trouble getting a Visa to the US. I hope good news comes to you soon enough! At least you are staying positive!
Regards,
Howard
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-07-24 18:24
I am only very very sorry that my country is not more hospitable.
I've traveled to UK (England, Scotland), Europe, Cyprus, Canada, and Uganda.
Each place has its own set of hurdles when it comes to bureaucracy.
Some border/embassy staff are more polite and pleasant than others.
But mostly it is maddening to be at 'their' disposal...
I personally think that the bureaucracy is easier to stomach if:
1. the people involved are nice to you and
2. the hurdles are well defined in advance.
I will 'send happy thoughts' (aka pray) that your visa comes flying through.
AND that once you get here, you will find pleasant, hospitable, generous people to make you feel at home.
GoodWinds
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-07-25 01:39
Rachel,
Let me ask my British friend how things went for her when she came over with her husband some years ago -- probably before 9/11 (which may be part of the reason things are so glacially slow for you).
I do know that she came without a work permit, and that not working, after a lifetime of professional employment, was a difficult adjustment for her.
But she has taken up the bassoon in the meantime, and my WW5 is the better for it!
I will get back to you on this.
Susan
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Author: Gerry L
Date: 2011-07-26 07:49
Hi Rachel,
I do sympathize. I’m also an Oz, but I’ve had permanent residency (i.e. a “green” card) in the US for some years now.
All I can say is that the wheels at Immigration do grind slowly, and it can be quite frustrating. I’m sure there must be method and logic at some level, but it’s very hard to discern from the outside!
Nevertheless, in the end all outcomes that were reasonably expected did take place for us. They are very particular about getting all of the prerequisites right, and checking all the boxes. And you must NEVER misrepresent yourself to them as they get very upset! So it’s actually good that you’re getting everything out in the open now.
Our final residency interview was hair-raising mostly because we felt going in that if the interviewer was having a bad day then we may be packing our bags – and that after several years of living here. But that turned out to be somewhat unfair to the interviewer, who was perfectly pleasant and helpful. Still scary though!
So patience unfortunately is the order of the day.
But on to the really important stuff: Eagles or Dockers?
Cheers,
Gerry
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-07-26 08:08
Gerry, not really a footy fan, but my husband is a diehard Eagles supporter (we won by 1 point in the derby after the siren!)
We figure that patience is necessary - after all, the embassy doesn't even have a phone number!
Still waiting, biding time (5 weeks since interview now)...while everyone else is back at work. It would be nice if we could actually do something either way! Can't really spend money on a house we might be leaving behind, but can't organise anything at the US end either.
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Author: A.U.K
Date: 2011-07-26 18:34
I would say that if the USA is proving awkward then maybe studying in Europe would be a better idea..Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Salzburg, London..all have much to offer.
I suspect that things have become more difficult with the US. Immigration since 9/11 which comes as no great surprise so maybe seeing as they are retiscent regarding your visas that Europe would be an excellent alternative. We have much to offer and have some of the most highly respected teachers and conservatoires in the world here. Unless you have a particular reason for wanting to study, (either you or your Husband) in the USA then I would suggest that you might consider Europe as a possibility.
Whatever you decide I hope things work out well for you both..
Andrew
Post Edited (2011-07-26 19:19)
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-07-27 02:09
Andrew, our main reason for study in the USA is because my husband wishes to focus on wind band conducting and doesn't have much interest in orchestral conducting, and many places in the US offer wind conducting as a specialty. Me, I don't care, I just want to play the oboe!
I am in the process of trying to talk him around studying in the UK as I can hold dual passports as my parents were both born in the UK, I am first generation Australian. But the wind band tradition is not quite as strong as the one he sees in the US.
We have an amazing conductor here in Perth who has managed to do exactly what he's plannning to do, so even though it wouldn't be a Master's degree (only by research here, not coursework) he would like to do further study with him.
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Author: A.U.K
Date: 2011-07-27 06:08
Of course, now the reason for studying in the USA becomes apparant..I didn't know that "Wind Band" and the conducting of was the drving force behind the travel/study plans. Europe certainly cannot compete with the American tradition of windbands..whilst we do have some (probably more than I am aware of) we don't I think even come close to the USA in this area.
I do hope you get the Immigration sorted out..There is nothing more frustrating than dealing with petty minded civil servants who decide to go nit picking over minutiae and when common sense seems to vanish.
Post Edited (2011-07-27 06:22)
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-07-27 16:24
Canada has some pretty awesome 'wind bands' too; not the QUANTITY of the States', and mostly on the eastern side of the country.
And they are most hospitable (in my experience).
GoodWinds
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-07-28 00:52
Well, the visa came this morning. But only for 12 months despite the 2 yr program, meaning we have to reapply over there. And no doubt pay a truckload more fees to do so.
I have a week to completely pack up one life and start another. :0
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-07-28 01:44
Congratulations, Rachel!
Now, just plan on attending the IDRS in Oxford, Ohio (Miami University) next year, and perhaps you can meet some of us!
Susan
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-07-28 03:30
Glad it came!! To comfort you, re-applying here isn't the same hurdle; there are still nice people working in govn't, I've met them. And as english is your primary language, that will be an advantage I'm sure...
GoodWinds
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