It was a very quick drop-off and I got a 'receipt' paper that says my Visa will be ready for pick up on 2/9/2016. Five days! It's a super quick process and compared to getting your driver's license at the DMV, it's a 0 out of 10 on the stress scale, lol!
---I'll update this post when I receive my Visa--- Update: I picked up my Visa yesterday, (February 11, 2016) and it took less than five minutes. I just gave them the receipt they gave me and presented my ID. I had to sign a paper stating that I picked up my passport and I was all set! Seriously, the process of getting my Visa has been one of the least stressful events of this entire process. Mahalo to the people at the Japanese Consulate.
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If you're going to study abroad in Japan, you might get thrown off a little by the academic calendar. Here in the U.S., our Spring semester typically runs from January to May. In Japan, the spring semester will typically run from the start of April until the end of July. This is why it might feel like everything is arriving so late. I was getting anxious, waiting for my Certificate of Eligibility to come in the mail from Keio. This is the document you need in order to get your Student Visa (you will not be permitted to enter the country without this). I'm going to the Japanese Consulate later this week in order to get everything filled out and squared away. The package I received contained the following documents:
I know that most of my posts so far have been pretty boring. The reason why I'm giving the play-by-play is because when I started doing research about studying abroad, I was actually very concerned about every detail. I wanted to know as much as I could about the process before I actually had to go through it. If you are anything like me, I hope you find these posts to be informative or somehow helpful to you. If it offers some peace of mind to know around what timeframe you will be receiving these documents, I've done my job!
Here's a recap of what's happened so far: I submitted my MIX application in July 2015, I was nominated to Keio University back in late September, and then three months after that I finally got word from the MIX office that my official acceptance letter from Keio University and information packet was available for pick up! It was actually during finals week that I got the email. This info packet contained the following documents:
Below is the orientation schedule that I received in the packet. Applying to the Dorm One of the most important things to me when I first started researching my study abroad trip, was where I would be living. In the end I decided to go with the school's dormitories. The application for the dorms opened on December 18, 2015 @ 10 AM (Japan Time). At the time that the app opened, I was in Los Angeles so I wasn't exactly sure about what time difference it would be. Luckily I put it into my phone calendar to remind me to apply when the app opened Japan time, and I got an alert around 5 PM on December 17, 2015 to apply (since Japan is a day ahead). In order to apply, you must create an account online at Keio University's dorm system. Detailed information and a link will be provided to you before the dorm application opens. Below is what the log in looks like. You are going to have to register before you can apply. I was actually really anxious about applying to the dorm because I really want to get my first choice. So I made sure I applied as soon as the application opened. I know, I'm a little crazy sometimes haha. I applied for: 1) Motosumiyoshi and 2) Hiyoshi International House. These two dorms are on opposite ends of the spectrum being the most newly renovated and the oldest. What I liked was the studio-style of Motosumiyoshi, including its nice amenities and the apartment-style coziness of HIH.
Important Dates Dorm application period: December 18, 2015 (10 AM) - January 14, 2016 (10 AM) Japan Time. Dorm applications will be approved by: January 28, 2016. Move-in: March 23-24 between 9 AM and 6PM. Move-out: August 3, 2016. For more information on Keio's dorms or on housing options that I researched click the links below: Keio's Housing Webpage for International Students Other options besides the dorms |
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