We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Franklin Roosevelt

Well, we have reached the interview stage, naturally in full readiness)

First, you need to get to the embassy.

Check the map of the area where the embassy is located on map.yandex.ru or http://maps.google.com by simply entering the words Novinsky Boulevard, 21 into the search bar. There is also a diagram in the photo attached to the blog)

Next, naturally, the question arises: what will happen in the embassy that all participants are so afraid of! N-O-T-H-I-N-G

We are invited to the embassy to get to know us better)

The logic of the embassy is simple, accessible, and transparent in most cases. They do not want participants to stay in the USA. Most likely, the person who will return to Russia is the one who has somewhere to return to, has something to return to, and, naturally, has someone to return to. The one who has “ties to the Motherland”.

To get a visa, you need to prove the following to the consul:

I am a good student

I speak English

I know the goals of the program

I confidently answer any tricky questions

I am a Patriot (of the RF, not the USA)

More about this:

I AM A GOOD STUDENT

In general, the Work & Travel program was originally created for full-time students of higher education institutions. The American government does not want to accept guys who are not potential university graduates into its territory) The logic of the embassy is simple – a student who studies in their favorite specialty, with excellent (good) academic performance, will return. The consul will be interested in why we chose our profession, how well we know the main subjects of our course, how we pass our sessions) They might ask about the teachers of your university, about the cleaning lady, the security guard)) Be ready to give a confident answer, prove that you don't even have a thought to drop out of university)

I SPEAK ENGLISH

Is it worth explaining?

We are going to America, where we will have to live fully throughout the summer) In order for the trip not to be accompanied by unpleasant moments – we must know the great English language at least at a conversational level)) The interview primarily tests English proficiency (the most common reason for not getting a visa is poor English)

You communicate with the consul in the embassy through glass, which does not contribute to better perception. If you didn't understand – ask again, it is much better than not asking again and answering inappropriately is also bad. What to do in this case? Try to look smart and ask something like: What do you mean? and then describe your idea of what you were asked, but in your own language, i.e., as you understand it and in your own words. Not ice, but better than standing silent or answering off-topic.

Do not give a reason to suspect that you speak poorly or did not understand the question. React faster. Excuses like “I don’t even know what to answer in Russian” don't work. You were asked a question – you need to answer it, not just say I DON'T KNOW.

And in general, don't you dare be afraid - 105% minus 7% of students get a visa and then say: it was easy!!!

I am 100% sure you will get it) I promise)

I KNOW THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

Not the most important point, but it has a place to be. You must know, first of all, your own goals for the trip to this great country) This is often asked at the interview) Remember the main thing: money is not the goal)

The Work & Travel program was created for cultural exchange, initiated by the US government with the goal of popularizing American culture around the world. You are going there to travel, to finally see AMERICA itself, you need English in your future profession (you are planning to become a Minister of Foreign Affairs at least! :)), you are sociable, young, you are interested in contact with another world, with other people. What? Money? Well yes, why not, if they also pay for it – it's a fairy tale! :)) It will be enough for 5 iPhones=) and it will also be possible to travel all over America.

TRICKY QUESTIONS

Tricky questions from the consul can be asked to you, first of all, with the goal of testing you in a non-standard situation) They can ask anything. How many legs does a horse have? Who is the Minister of Finance of the RF? Can you sing the Russian anthem? It's truth. They asked this. If you don't know the answer to a tricky question from the consul, a reaction with humor is possible, BUT know the measure)) humor is different in different countries.

By the way, here is an example of their humor:

Sounds of the Wild

A mother was reading a book about animals to her 3 year old daughter.

Mother: "What does the cow say?"

Child: "Moo!"

Mother: "Great! What does the cat say?"

Child: "Meow."

Mother: "Oh, you're so smart! What does the frog say?"

And this wide-eyed little 3 year-old looked up at her mother and in her deepest voice replied, "Bud."

Well, is it funny? If it's funny, then please write in the comments what is funny) OK?

I AM A PATRIOT

The consul, when deciding on issuing a visa, is afraid of one thing – that you will not return to Russia. In order for the consul to stop worrying about this, we must prove to him that we love our great power and see our future only here)

You are returning from the USA. Where to? Do you have somewhere to return to? Of course! To my favorite university! In my favorite country! With a rich ancient culture, great poets and artists who have glorified Russia all over the world. Do not forget about specific names and surnames, historical facts. Use the opportunity to proudly tell the American consul about us and our achievements. It sounds a bit pompous, but I hope that you are truly a patriot and will not say something like: America is a cool country, and here in Russia – everything is fcking sht. No, we have temporary difficulties, but as they say, a Russian harnesses slowly – but rides fast))

In general, the impression of you is formed by the consul in advance based on your application, but not everything is predetermined. Much depends on you, your answers, and your behavior at the interview. Be nice! Be friendly, attentive. YOU CAN SMILE!!! YOU CAN EVEN MAKE A SUCCESSFUL JOKE. You can behave calmly! You don't need to be afraid, but arrogance is also not welcomed, remember who came to whom. BE NICE!.

HOW TO BEHAVE IN THE EMBASSY

About behavior - it's a kindergarten-level conversation) But still) Behave calmly and with dignity. You don't need to talk to friends while you are waiting for your interview, you don't need to shout or constantly jump up from your chair to see the sights of the embassy building. In 2006, consulate workers asked International Exchange Center employees to remove 5 students because of their inappropriate behavior. I know this won't happen this year, because everyone is an adult and knows how to behave normally)

You don't need to say anything you are not asked and try to shove anything into the window that you are not asked for! Look only straight into the consul's eyes! Even when he is not looking at you, muttering to himself, and generally pretending to read your applications - you need to look at him! Do not let your eyes wander! Do not make unnecessary movements with your limbs! And in general, do not attract unnecessary attention to yourself! The consul is a good psychologist) he understands who is who, naturally by your behavior)

So, you need to know by heart and be able to clearly say in English any information from your job offer, the name of your university, faculty, names of subjects (especially those for which you took exams in the last session), the place of work of your father, mother, and siblings, the name of the program operator firm (International Exchange Center), which submitted your documents to the embassy, and the sponsor organization in the USA (InterExchange), which issued the DS-2019 for you, you must know exactly what you will do in the states: ‎President of USA - I'll be manage the country and do a lot of good things! They will definitely ask, be sure !!!

HOW TO DRESS FOR THE EMBASSY

They judge by clothes. When choosing clothes in which you will receive a visa at the embassy, you need to consider the following:

clean and tidy;

modest and tasteful;

preferably without inscriptions - an extra reason for getting a question from the consul regarding the inscription or drawing))

for girls, be careful with makeup)

In general, going to the embassy, we should have approximately the following legend: "I live in the best country in the world, i.e., in Russia, I have never even had a thought to live in any other country. I study at the best university, in a specialty that I adore and in the future I want to work only in it. By the way, I study on an increased scholarship) My parents are oligarchs, and they have more than one piece of real estate all over Russia) I have a girlfriend/boyfriend with whom we plan to start a family, raise a bunch of children, and all this only in Russia) And in general, I am going to the USA not for money, because dad is an oligarch, but to get acquainted with a new culture, because I am the elite of the future Russian society, I must imagine what another country is. And also, by the way, I will arrive on time, because I need to study)) And also, everything is OK with the law!!!

With such a legend, they will give you a visa without questions, but just in case, I will post them here too)

List of possible questions and approximate answers at the embassy interview

1. Are you married? Do you have children?

• For most – No, I’m not. No, I don’t.

2. Do you live with your parents? Why? Why not?

• Yes, I do ‘cause I like living with them and they like living together too. - No, I don’t ‘cause I like living separately on my own.

3. Have you got brothers or sisters? Are they participating in any exchange program? - Answer as it is.
4. Have you ever been abroad? Where & when?

• Answer as it is.

5. Do you have friends or relatives aboard?

• Answer: No! If you are going for the second/third time – you can “afford” to have a couple of friends in the states, but in general, it is better not to spread about this topic, especially if you are not asked about it.

6. What do your parents think about your participation in the program?

• They are proud of me. They think it will make me more self-confident and mature.

7. Who gives you money for the trip? (Who pays for you trip?)

Only – My parents. (this is written in everyone's applications)
8. What is your parents (annual) income? (How much do your parents earn?)

• I don’t know. They never told me.

9. Where do your parents work?

• Answer as it is, only clearly and understandably for Americans. And remember – BOTH parents must work and the family must NOT be in need.

10. Do you have a job? (Do you work?) If yes, where do you work & what's your job? Is it a full-time or a part-time employment? What is your income?

• If in the DS-160 form you did not indicate that you are currently working somewhere – answer: No, I don’t work. My studies take (eat) all my time. If you indicated – name the job. It must be ONLY "part-time"!