How it feels applying for visa ALL THE TIME
I went from German visa to UK Visa Tier 4 to Danish visa to UK Visa Tier 1
1_ Satisfying
No, of course not during the applications! I’m not sick.
I know the frustrations, the waiting, the uncontrollable, the money spent, especially the very recent one. It’s nerve-wrecking, time-consuming, even affecting people around you too. Making sure you have the right amount of funds in your bank, the right documents photocopied or originals, whatever language your documents were in to be lawfully translated. I’ve been through all that and I know the anxiety from visa bureaucracy. It’s unsettling too. Having spent so much money on applying and yet it’s not a confirmed yes. I was balancing visa applications when I was involved with other sorts of assignments. It was something that kept knocking at the back of my mind but I know I got to push through despite the hurdles.
When it finally came, it was a huge relief. Somehow it’s as though a small piece of sticker in my passport isn’t gonna stop what I want to do and where I want to be. It was satisfying because you know you can finally focus on things you’ve been working on and without worrying about legally staying somewhere. I finally feel free, and skies are so blue, trees are so green. I have accomplished yet another goal in my life.
2_ Independent
It no longer feels like primary school when your mum always makes sure you bring the right books to school. It’s time be accountable for what you’re doing. I’ve come to the stage where I could tell my parents, I’m going to take care of everything myself, don’t worry. Coming from a very sheltered environment, I thought this was a big step for me.
I could relate to this IKEA video as our parents probably still see us as children. Finally showing them that I’m taking control of my life, I hope to put their hearts at ease.
3_ World is small
Being a Singapore citizen has entitled me with a powerful passport and I’m deeply grateful for that. I grew up in an immigrant family and have seen what my family went through. Though putting myself through the same journey has been frowned upon, I have a strong desire to continue on. Today, having faster internet, better transportation, easier communication tools, more efficient payment methods, I don’t see why we shouldn’t see the world a bit more. Opportunities are waiting to be discovered. I’d say, go chase them when you have the time to. And visa shouldn’t be a reason to hold anybody back.
