Before the interviews even started, there were so many questions like: how does it go, what do they ask, is it difficult or not, and what if I don't get the visa... Since I had the exact same trembling knees and was just as worried, even though I'd heard that getting a visa isn't that hard, I still didn't feel at ease... Most likely, this came from the fear of rejection, the fear that after preparing for so long and waiting so much, you'd get shut down at the very last stage (though there's another catch here, but that's not for now). Now, a year later, I try to actively help first-timers because I remember how it all started, what questions came up; now it all seems like child's play... Everything is so simple and clear that I want to convey it to everyone... To reassure them, and if my notes helped even one person, then I can say with confidence that my efforts weren't in vain. And the embassy, specifically the visa interview, is the easiest thing that can happen to you during the entire trip... That's why I wrote a page on LiveJournal, then posted it on VKontakte, and now I'm posting it here) Now that I've felt that my flight is close, that the tickets are booked, inspiration has struck me))) yes, yes))) strangely enough) I couldn't sleep all night imagining how I'd walk out of the JFK terminal, how I'd get on the train, how I'd walk out and see Times Square again.... how recent it all was) and here I'll be back =)))) Wait for new memories and tips on my blog, you can ask any questions, I'll try to help as much as I can) On VKontakte, you can find me in the Yekaterinburg branch of the CMO group, I try to answer all questions there too) So, towards new adventures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

to be continued...

so, the embassy....

It's simple. No, really, it's not difficult. We wind ourselves up too much and then can't string two words together because of it. Be confident, because you know everything. The main rule here is: smile and don't stay silent. Really, don't stand there like statues. Consuls are people too, just with a different culture. It's pleasant to talk to them too, be friendly. If you studied English in school and then again in university, don't be afraid, you've practically already received the visa. You don't need to give the consuls a detailed, grammatically polished, clever answer; this isn't school where you'd get points deducted for grammar. Answer in one-word sentences, confidently; if you didn't hear the question, ask again (excuse me, repeat please or just excuse me with an interrogative tone). All that's required of you is a good mood and sociability; you need to show that you can talk. You can repeat standard words and simple phrases at home to calm down. The questions can be anything, don't be surprised by anything, but mainly: where do you study, when do you finish your studies, what is your favorite subject at university, who do you want to work as, when are your exams (here you need to say that you're taking everything before you leave!!!), when will you return from the States (before October 1st, confidently, firmly), where are you planning to go, who would you like to work as, what are you planning to do (Work and Travel is a universal and truthful answer), etc., etc. You can practice approximate answers, or rather, words. There is a huge pile of various questions on the internet that a consul might ask, don't clutter your head, take a look, familiarize yourself, and forget it =). My conversation with the consul was roughly like this:

-Hi

-Hi

-Are you Mikle

-Yes

-Are you going to the States

-Yes

-Where do you study

-Ural State .....

-And what is your major

-Automation of technological processes

-Where do you want to go

-To the coast

-Which one

-(I think I didn't understand here and asked again)

-Which coast, west or east

-West

-Oh, excellent choice, that will be fun...... have a good summer in the USA

-I hope so, thank you, have a good day.

In total, it all took about one minute =) you have to understand, the consul also knows that you only learned English in school and university, there isn't much practice in speaking, so he will communicate in extremely simple words and sentences, and will also try to articulate everything. Show him a confident attitude and the ability to think/talk, and everything will be good.

Before the interview, the consul will ask you to take your fingerprints, you can practice the names of your fingers =) I hesitated and didn't quite understand which fingers he was talking about, then he showed me through the window which finger to place =) Dress as usual, or rather, in normal neat everyday clothes; for girls - the clothes shouldn't be too provocative and not too much makeup. For guys - a shirt, jeans (no t-shirts/hoodies/tracksuits). The main thing is to show that you are a pleasant young man/woman. You can't bring any items into the consulate, so take only small things with you; phones, players, keys, and other such trifles will have to be left outside with the CMO workers. You should only have documents with you (Russian passport, grade book, preferably with closed exam sessions (the consul didn't even look at my grade book or student ID), student ID, offer, if you have one).

So, approaching the consul, say hello, smile, be in a good mood, don't be silent, talk, say goodbye at the end, wish them a good day (have a nice day), leave without talking to anyone, and in general, don't talk to other students while waiting for your turn. The consul might not like that. Answer any provocative questions with a confident 'no' (are you planning to stay; what if you find an American guy/girl, you can say you already have a boyfriend/girlfriend; are you a terrorist) - don't even think about the answers to these questions, a firm 'no'. If you are going to the interview with your offer, it's desirable to know at least a little bit where and who you will be working as; if there is no offer, say that the agency is looking for it. And don't be late for the interview, come early =) they might start earlier. (from personal experience) If you are in your 5th year, think through the answers to questions about why you need to return to your homeland, who you work as, what you want to do in the USA, why you are going so late...

And in general, focus on the trip, think that the visa has already been received and everything will be fine. Be positive and everything will work out for you, this applies not only to the consulate. Good luck to you!

Well, that's actually all about the consulate =) here is a small story about how it was for me =) the especially lazy ones don't have to read =))

It was a sunny day, even though it was still the end of February outside, it was already warm and the snow had started to melt, puddles had started to form here and there, this wasn't the slush that starts in the spring, no, it was wonderful, everything heralded a good day. I left home about an hour and a half before the interview started, but as is customary here in Yekaterinburg, after standing in traffic jams, I arrived at the consulate on time. But everything would have been too good and not interesting. Approaching our center's workers, or rather running up to them, they made me happy by saying that the interview had already started! and my group had already gone in! what joy =) And the interview goes like this: everyone stands on the street and they let you into the consulate one by one. But first, as I understood, they let in a group, and then one comes out, another goes in. Without thinking long, we decided that I would go next and be under my number, because the consul calls by surname and number, each corresponds to their own. I only manage to give the keys and cell phone to our representatives and take a badge with my number from them when a happy student comes out of the consulate, it's time for me to go in. On the first floor sits our valiant and "friendly" police =) you don't even have to say hello to them =). I present my Russian passport to them, they check it, look to make sure no one else is going through under my documents. They look at the 4-year-old photo for a loooong time and finally let me through =) Well, the first line of defense has been passed. I go up to the third floor. I enter the waiting room, here the fighters of the invisible front, thirsting to get to the USA, are already sitting and waiting for their turn. I ask where I could leave my outerwear and am happy to find out that clothes are left at the entrance. Well, okay, I'm not going to run back. I undress and leave everything next to me. I was also told that there were 2 people left until my number, well, at least I got lucky here =) I arrived just in time! I start looking around the room. It's not particularly big, there are benches in the middle, instead of one wall there are 3 windows, in the middle there is one window where students approach and present their documents, as well as take fingerprints, to the right and left of it are windows where consuls conduct interviews with students. I try to get back to normal, because I was out of breath while running to the consulate, everything flies out of my head, all the words, all the preparations I made for the consulate, I can't remember anything. Finally, they call me! I approach the middle window, say hello, smile, the consul takes my documents, checks them, takes my fingerprints. Here I got confused with these fingers, and the device didn't take them correctly for some reason, I had to take one hand twice =) Then I approach the left window, smile again) then everything goes on autopilot =) because I couldn't remember anything)) In the end, the consul wishes me a good summer in the States, I wished him a good day, although I think I just said 'nice day' =))) but I was already walking away from him, I take my clothes left in the waiting room and quickly retreat. That's it!!!! in total, it took about 10 minutes for everything!!!!!! But how many emotions and joy there were afterwards, because nothing could stop me from leaving for the whole summer to the States!!!! Ahead of me were a bunch of adventures and 4 whole months of free life!

Therefore, I advise everyone not to worry too much about the visa, if you really want it, you will get it. I wish everyone to get a visa without problems!!!!