Year Abroad- Latin America

[bevelino]

Anyone’s dc undertaking a year abroad in Latin America? If so, how have you found the visa process?

Dd is studying in Santiago (Chile) for a 5 month semester from August and the visa process is expensive and time consuming. We regret the Latin America option now, particularly as DD’s university provided limited information,

The university in Chile confirmed dd’s place in June, just 5 weeks before the course starts and students are unable to apply for a visa before confirmation of study. The student visa can then take up to 4 weeks to obtain and as part of the visa process the student need to first obtain police and health records which then have to be apostilled (legalised) by the UK foreign and commonwealth office; and getting it all done within a restricted timeframe has been very stressful. Parents also have to enter into a deed of covenant confirming financial support for dc and supply 3 months bank statements. The police and health form need to be certified by a solicitor or notary before they can be apostilled.

Anyone else experienced this? Dd has now applied for her visa but her nerves are shot to pieces as are mine.

[BubblesBuddy]

I don’t have experience of this but I’m posting to sympathise. My DD says there are problems with Erasmus arrangements this year too. Late notification isn’t helpful with accommodation or flight costs either.

I remember for my DDs first semester in Switzerland she was notified she had the place and then had a deadline of early April to submit her request for and choice of accommodation. That was for a September start so I do understand your DDs timeframe is very concerning.

All I can say is: these placements do go ahead and hopefully the visa process will be quick and not the 4 week maximum.

I’m going to Santiago in late July! I’m also sure, when the dust settles, she will have a great time. Hang on in there! BA do a direct flight by the way.

[BubblesBuddy]

It might also help to read positive stories of Chile written by students. Look at //www.globalgraduates.com and under Destinations you will find Chile.

[Hellokittymania]

I understand totally! I was excepted into a Greek university, as a full-time student, not as a study abroad student, but the paperwork to get in is huge. One of the requirements is that you have to prove your parents are not of Greek origin, and the passport is not enough. And the process is very similar to what you described for your daughter, they want different things on a transcript that are not usually put there, then you have to send them to get the apostle, and then you have to send them to be translated into Greek… I was unable to study last year because not all of the paperwork was correct. You also have to pass a Greek exam, which I did. Unless you have studied abroad, or you have applied to a foreign university, you don’t understand the full amount of paperwork and bureaucracy involved. It’s worth it in the end though. By the way, I’m sorry if there are mistakes, I am using dictation to write this.

[bevelino]

Bubbles thank you. I have forwarded the link to dd and she has found it very helpful.