It's a... Business (F) visa.

I picked up my visa this past Monday, but wasn't thrilled enough to blog about it. I did skip across the street after I left, though.

Either way, I still have some things to be worried about. I only got 90 (/92) days on my visa, so I'll have to apply for more time when I'm over there, meaning the results of those efforts will determine the date of my return ticket... that my parents are buying. Or overstaying a mere 2 days isn't enough to cause any serious repercussions and I'll be fine. I'd rather be safe. Hopefully I'll have enough time to take a couple day trips before the end of the semester anyway.

I don't need to be roaming too far from Chengdu anyway, I have school to tend to and I can return for travel (or more school) later on. :) If I like it enough.  

A test post.

Seeing if I can blog by email just in case .blogspot.com is still
blocked when I arrive in 中国.

:D

Student (X) Visa

Unfortunately, I will likely have to apply for another visa while I'm in China. Bollocks. Hopefully I'm just misunderstanding something and they'll give me a student visa, which is supposed to be 6 months.

...Anyway. When applying for a visa at the People's Republic of China['s] U.S. Embassy - Visa Section (Consular Affairs), make sure you do the following:

• Make a copy of everything you're required to bring - passport (information page), acceptance letter, JW202.
• In addition to those documents, bring the visa application form (Q1), one passport-style photo (color), and your passport.
• Take a number, sit down, wait. 
• Submit all of the copies, the application form, the photo, and your passport.

If you've chosen to let them take your photograph, make sure you bring $10 cash. This is a frustrating experience, despite the ease with which I hope to be accepted.

Also, if the weight of reality hasn't hit you yet... You will be audibly bombarded with Mandarin, realize that this is only the embassy, and it's not even half of what it feels to be like in another country that doesn't speak English as its primary language.

Introductory post.

Hello, family and friends [and strangers]. :)

I have started this blog for a variety of reasons. I consider it extremely productive to keep a near-daily account of my impending study-abroad experience in China. I am also an anthropology (cultural) major acquiring the last six credits of my degree, and I intend to get a master's degree in linguistics one day (anthropological linguistics or linguistic anthropology, I do not know). Hopefully this experience will aid me in discovering my clearest focus, because I've really enjoyed the process so far.

More musing later. 

Here's what I got done today:

1. assigned my mother as power of attorney
2. stopped by the passport agency and confirmed that my passport is indeed still valid
3. deposited a check from a generous donor
4. picked up the dog and fed my grandmother lunch
5. applied for my Chinese visa
6. picked up the little sister as soon as she finished track practice

I feel extremely productive, yet I always manage to screw something up. My visa application process consisted of: taking a number, waiting, approaching the counter, being told I need to make a copy of EVERYTHING (passport, acceptance letter, JW202), making a copy of everything for $.25 a sheet, picking another number, going to get my photo taken, being told they cost $10 - cash only, running across the street to CVS to use an atm, returning to get my photo taken, leaving the back room just as my number was called, re-submitting my forms, correcting some of them, taking a receipt, and running off only to leave my passport - which is supposed to happen. Called my mother to check. 

Rusty as hell, but I got it done. I also realized that the 90 days I originally asked for actually isn't enough. I thought it was moreso a loose estimate, but NO. Overstaying a visa could get me fined or barred from re-entry for five (if not more) years. And February 19th to May 21st is 92 days - my original calculation of arrival would have gotten me there on the 21st... exactly 90 days. So, I should have asked for more time. I'll try calling tomorrow and see what I can do. Because if I just go with this visa, I will have to apply for a new/extended visa while I'm in China. That could prove to be complicated, and I shouldn't have to do that for two days.

Maybe I can apply for a tourist visa while over there and go to another country/region at the very end of my trip.