“Will I Make it to Austria this Summer?”
That was the resounding question in my mind during the weeks leading up to the start of Summer School in Austria. One would think that after comprehensive applications, compiling one’s personal documents and being awarded an incredible opportunity everything would be smooth sailing, but boy oh boy was I mistaken.
I expected my visa process to be challenging but nothing could have prepared me for just how challenging a journey it would be. While the taste of excitement was still fresh on my tongue of being accepted to spend the Summer in Austria for Sommerhochschule (SHS), this was counteracted with the bitter awareness of necessary visa applications. I immediately researched the required visa materials for Austria and reached out to my College regarding the required material. Due to my passport being lost somewhere in the US postage system, I, unfortunately, had to go home to apply for a new passport, American Visa, as well as Austria visa. After waiting for the payments to SHS to be cleared I finally received my invitation letter and could make the necessary trip to the German Consulate. In Namibia, it is the German Consulate that deals with issuing visas to other European countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Netherlands and Switzerland. Once arrived at the consulate and having had the consular officer check through my documents I was informed that because I studied in America I was meant to apply for my visa there. Apparently, they could not verify the information I was giving them and all my documents would have to be sent to the Austrian Consulate in America. Even after explaining that the program I had been accepted into had nothing to do with my education in America they still insisted it was out of their jurisdiction and they could not say when or if my visa would be ready in time. I had no idea about these regulations as they had not been stipulated in the Consular website and I had not been informed prior to my visa application.
The German Consulate told me that visa applications generally take 7 days, so I decided to call after a week to hear whether there had been any progress on my application. Questions concerning visas could only be asked between 8:30 am and 9 am and 2:30 pm and 3 pm, giving one a mere hour during the weekdays to make enquiries. During my first phone call, I was informed by someone at the consulate that my application would take at least 3 months because of my student status in the States. I felt immediate shock which quickly led to me being disheartened by the news. I had less than a month before I would have to be in Austria and waiting 3 months would mean that I would actually be late for the start of the Fall Semester of my Junior year. I went to the consulate the following day for further clarification but they would not see me without an appointment and said that questions about visas could only be answered over a phone call. I considered withdrawing my application and flying to the Austrian consulate in Pretoria, South Africa after making calls to their offices. I was informed that it would not take 3 months and there was a possibility to receive it in time for SHS. This, however, was not a guarantee and was an added burden both financially and mentally to me and my family. We however strongly considered it until I made another call to the German Consulate. I was then informed much to my surprise that they would not be sending all my documents to America but instead, it was already being processed and might be completed in time. So for the next 2 weeks, I waited eagerly but nervously as the days dragged by and still, I had heard nothing concerning my visa. The weekend before my expected departure I had quietly and painfully resided my self to the likelihood of not being able to go to Austria. On Monday, July 8th after a day at work, I returned home to an email from the consulate… my visa was ready to collect! Waves of relief but also panic of having to leave home after not expecting it washed other me. That night, my mom and I scavenged for the cheapest flight to Austria and successfully booked one for the evening of July 13th. I would be a bit late but I would be going to Austria after all. Everything felt crazy with departure preparations but also so right in the world. Austria in the Summer would actually be happening for me,… Hannah Brendell.
