University Exchange

[dweomeroflight]

For those on my flist who don't know/don't remember or are thinking hey you never blogged it so how could I know? I am going on exchange to England next university semester. So I finally got my acceptance email into Lancaster University. You would think that it would be all smooth sailing from there, but no, VISA's are hell and really mess with your travel plans.

According to British government website: yes I need a VISA. Do they tell me what type. No.

So then I ring the British Consulate in Canberra. Random woman there tells me I need a basic VISA because I'm Australian National. She then tells me that because I can only enter Britain 2 weeks before the course starts in October, I can get around this by going to Britain, leaving the country before October, to go to say Ireland or France, then reenter in October for my course.

This makes me more confused then before so I email my university frantically. VISA advice lady there tells me yes I do need a VISA, but its only a student visitor one valid for 6 months and that yes I can travel and no I don't need to come in and out of Britain at all. Yay I think, problem solved.

Then I go to STA to get quotes on flights and man there tells me that no I can't enter Britain more than 2 weeks before my course starts and wtf are the British on anyway and I will have to travel around Ireland or France or Europe before my course starts.

Got that flist? Isn't it crystal clear how I must travel? I didn't think so either.

Bloody Poms and their Bloody VISAS.

In other news: I got one ticket to see John Simm in Hamlet october 16th. I am excited. I bought my ticket for a Saturday when I'm in uni session so that the VISA confusion won't stuff me around. I will definitely blog about his performance. Because he is John Simm and The Master and awesome (see icon).

Comments

[bewarethespork.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't think I even realised you were also Australian! (If you told me this before and I've forgotten, my apologies - my brain is all burned out on feminism and Amy and such.) I get super-excited about making Australian LJ friends because they're always online at the same time as me. :)

Honestly, you'd think a VISA for an Australian to go to the UK would be easy - I mean, we're part of the Commonwealth and all that. It's so strange that it's apparently this complicated! But I hope that someone figures out what's supposed to be happening soon so that you don't get screwed over by customs people or something.

(Also, yay, John Simm! I bet that'll be awesome. Can't wait to hear all about it. :D)

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

I didn't. My brain was also frying on Amy and River and feminism.

Getting a VISA was easy up until this year when the British Government changed all the rules which is why I'm getting so many different answers. It's all very confusing now :/ It just sucks coz I really want to travel around Britain before I start university and visit relatives and such. I mean not that Ireland and France and Europe is bad or anything but still it makes sense to travel around Britain if you are studying there :/

And omg are you a shameless JS fan girl like me coz if you are I now love you even more than I already did :P

[bewarethespork.livejournal.com]

Stupid bureaucracies and their silly rules. I can see why that would cause problems. (Also, I am madly jealous of you getting to travel around Britain in the event that the VISA thing works out, because I have wanted to visit it forever but I have neither money nor time.)

I like John Simm but don't think I've reached fangirl status. (Possibly this is because I haven't yet seen Life on Mars?) Still, I always appreciate a bit of good-natured fangirl squee on any topic that even vaguely interests me. :)

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

I have wanted to travel around the UK since I was like 13 and if my VISA is such that I can't travel around the UK then I shall go back over for a couple of months at the end of my degree :) But still... me wants now!

And yes LOM does that to casual JS admirers. I think I blog most about JS, Dr Who and the BBC lol.

[bewarethespork.livejournal.com]

I think it's pretty cool that you're even going overseas for your degree in the first place. I ended up staying in the same city (though if we hadn't had a med school, that would have had to change, so maybe that was just luck?).

Out of curiosity, what are you going to be studying?

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

History and politics!

[bewarethespork.livejournal.com]

That sounds really interesting! I've always wanted to do something cool and fascinating like that, but instead I look at dead bodies a lot and poke needles into people. Also interesting, just in a different way.

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

I really want to be a writer. That's my secret ambition! Also, feel free to read my other entries, especially my season five ones. I warn you though- they are one massive love fest!

[bewarethespork.livejournal.com]

I love writing, but I don't think I'll ever have time to really be a writer. And I will definitely go back through your entries some time - I am all for a series five love fest!

[wicked0witch.livejournal.com]

Totally. So basically you need to go to narnia, ask aslan for a visa to go to hogwarts, and from there dumbledore will get you to your school.

That's what I got out of it....

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

Ok. I seriously am pissing myself with laughter right now. I love you :)

But yes, that's the overall vibe I'm getting out of it too. Clearly I need a magic wand. Where's Ollivander when you need him?

[wicked0witch.livejournal.com]

^.^

Umm, I make wands on commission, but i don't think that will help you. lol. Besides, he's in london.. and you can't get there! XD

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

OHGOIEHWBIOTRQHN I don't understand this. Why is Britain shooting its own tourism industry in the foot?

Sigh. Ireland and Europe for me then lol.

[sand-woman.livejournal.com]

There's been a lot of changes recently. The Home Office should be the definitive one: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/ My guess is STA haven't caught up with the changes yet, but on the bright side, it looks like you can apply online there.

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that. My worst fears are confirmed lol. I can only enter the UK up to 7 days before my course starts sigh. Looks like its Ireland and Europe travel for me then.

[sand-woman.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't realise your course was under six months, I thought I was giving you good news!

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

haha yeah unfortunately :( Thanks though for the link though :) At least it told me what I needed to know :)

In other news I think I am going to explode. There's been yet another post about Moffat and immorality and sexism sigh. So frustrating. If these people hate the show as much as all that why are they still watching it :/

[brendanpodger.livejournal.com]

I was just checking the Britrail map and if you want to tour a bit of Ireland you could take the ferry from Fishguard Harbour(South Wales with a stop in Cardiff on the way;) ) and then up the west coast to Dublin and take another ferry back to HolyHead(North Wales).

Or you could take the Eurostar from London straight to Paris for day or two.

[demented2468.livejournal.com]

Get an signature for Me!!! Also get some images if you can.

Unrelated I am totally Jealous sure he and it will be awesome

[dweomeroflight.livejournal.com]

I'll get an autograph for you if he does signings for sure :P

I am so excited!!!