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Ask anyone who knows me, I am not usually a procrastinator. I like starting any big essay or project as soon as I can, and I prefer finishing well before any deadline because my work tends to be worse under pressure or stress.
Unfortunately, the process of attaining my Chilean Student Visa was full of stress. At this point, I have read the instructions on the Chilean Embassy’s website over a dozen times, and I even have GW’s list of requirements for visas bookmarked. Yet somehow, everyone has failed to mention a very important, key detail: in order to receive a visa, one must go to a consulate in person. This is not a huge deal for east-coasters or even west-coasters—and I suppose since most students live on the coast, it wasn’t as big of a dea—but for me, living in the middle of the country, this was a struggle. There are no Chilean consulates in Colorado. In fact, the nearest one is three states away in California.
I had sent all the documentation requirements nearly two months ago, so I really didn’t understand what was taking so long and why I hadn’t heard back from anyone with regard to my visa. I emailed someone a month ago and all she responded (and about two weeks later I might add) is that my documents were being processed. A week ago I finally decided that something must have gone wrong, so I find a phone number and call the consulate in Los Angeles. I am eventually given an appointment for Friday the 13th of July. I am not superstitious, but being so last minute I must admit I felt extra nervous that something would go wrong.
A last-minute flight later (and after the loss of a considerable amount of my summer earnings), I have my visa and I can stay in Chile legally for the rest of the year!