The squeaky wheel really does get the grease!

After a week and a half of worrying and sending out distressed emails, I received the most wonderful phone call and email: My visa has been APPROVED! This was only after many emails, phone calls, and even an article written in the most important daily Czech newspaper... quite a roller coaster if I do say so myself! So let me explain a bit...

Yesterday morning I woke up to an email from my contact at Palacky University that immediately put me at ease. She told me that she and the university coordinator were working really hard to get all the foreign students' visas approved, and even if they weren't they would make sure I could leave as planned on the 16th. This made me incredibly happy because I hadn't heard from Palacky in a few days and I was really worrying if I should even fly there without my visa (if that had happened). She also mentioned that the university gave this story to the press hoping that would get the foreign police to move faster with our visas. Twenty minutes later, she emailed me asking for my picture because a reporter from the newspaper Hospodarske noviny (the most important daily newspaper in the Czech Republic) wanted to tell my story! This was so exciting - being in the newspaper even before I get there is cool, but knowing that I could help speed up the approval of the other students visas, as well as mine, was awesome.

This morning I woke up to an email at 6:20 with the news that I was in the newspaper! It turns out the other two biggest universities in the Czech Republic had also reported problems with foreign students and their visas. The article discussed the whole issue, but it focused on me! There were almost exact quotes from some of the emails I had written to the university. The most striking part of the article for me is where someone from a major university (I can't tell which one they refer to in my translated article) says that this essentially presents a poor image of the Czech Republic to students around the world. If the Czech Republic makes it difficult for them to study there, they are discouraged and chose to study elsewhere in Europe. I think this was the real stinger for the people who finally approved my visa...

Four hours later I looked at my phone while I was at work, and to my surprise and relief, the consulate in Chicago had called informing me my visa had been approved! That's all it took - an article in the news paper (and, they tell me, a story on the radio too!) and my visa was instantly approved. The Ministry of the Interior is quoted in the article saying that it is difficult with their transition and having to take over thousands of visas, but that is really the only mention of them. It's focused on the students and the image of the Czech Republic. And that is a really exciting and impressive thing to read.

I found the article on the newspaper's website. I use Google Chrome as my browser and can have web pages translated to English automatically. Here's a link to the article: click here for the article in Czech!    And I've pasted it her quickly translated by Google. Forgive grammar and language problems, it's just a quick translation. And not to mention the fact they spelled my name in an interesting way... either way, it's still me!

Also - THANK YOU everyone who kept me in your thoughts and prayers the last week and a half! I'm sure it helped and my family and I greatly appreciate your support through this stressful time!

Study in the Czech Republic runs them through his fingers. Foreign students hinder John's amendment

For all the complicated handover agenda of the Foreign Ministry of Interior police.

Twenty years American Kellice Clocková had last week to land in the Czech Republic and preparing for the start of the semester at the University of Palacky in Olomouc. Instead, it is still at home in the U.S. Michigan, writes in Olomouc desperate e-mails and calls to the Interior Ministry.

Clocková is doing as well as dozens of other students who want to come to the Czech Republic to study, but to no avail for weeks waiting for a visa.

Since last January, is the work of immigration police, who had cared for a visa, took over the Interior Ministry officials. He orders the Foreigners Act, enforced by the Minister Radek John (VV). But forwarding the agenda accompanying difficulties.

Some of the application is still lying on the desks of officials, although it should be long settled. "All foreign students who had come to us for the summer semester and needed a visa, they have a problem with it. Either get it or they abstained. And even though he asked the time, some in October or November. It's about twenty students , mainly from U.S., Korea and Turkey, "says Jakub Dürr, Vice-Rector for International Relations University in Olomouc. It is about a third of all foreign students.

Cluttered Offices student was $ 400

Problems reported by two other major universities, Charles University and Masaryk. The Charles University, also waiting in vain for a visa about one third of the invited students.

"Two students withdrew from the program, giving it a few days before departure. One ticket is forfeited, and several others had přebookovat extra ticket," says the director of international programs of Faculty of Arts, Judith Stepnickova.

It eventually did and Kellice Clocková. "Moving to a later date tickets cost me $ 400. Pay no more I can not afford it. It still do not know what my vision is and if I get it. I called the Ministry of Interior, but spoke only Czech," writes from Michigan Clocková.

The University says it is a problem at all to attract students to the Czech Republic. "The term applies to over a hundred thousand. When this discourage them, going instead to study elsewhere in Europe," says Dürr.

The Ministry admits that in 40 cases of delayed processing of visas. They say it can be chaos when picking files. "We took over the agenda of thousands of visas," prevents the Director of the Asylum and Migration Policy Tomas Haisman. Now a team of national officials dealing with the application, enhances the ten officers.

Lost in Transition

So it's Monday, and I guess it's back to badgering any one I can about my visa. I emailed the consulate this afternoon and heard back once again that my "visa application is still in the process". I never want to see or hear those words again after this whole experience.

I did learn something on Friday, though, that can help to explain why it is taking so long to process my visa. Apparently the Czech Republic has changed which department handles visa applications and residency requests. Until this January, the Foreign Police were responsible for processing visa applications. The Ministry of the Interior is now in charge of them, which actually makes more sense. However, since they are dealing with this transition, it seems as though my visa application has been caught somewhere. Learning about this helps me to understand why the process is taking so long, but it doesn't necessarily make me feel a whole lot better about the situation I'm in. I'm still really worried about whether I'll get my visa in time, and if I will be able to go at all. Everyone keeps telling me that it will be ready in time, but I can't help but be nervous about it because no one but the Foreign Police know when my visa will be approved.

I'm choosing to look at things like this: I am now apart of the transition in the Czech Republic that I have been so interested in. What my professors at MSU have said is that this is an example of big bureaucracy and little attention paid to the people and processes that get caught in the middle. I haven't learned a whole lot about the Czechs and Central Europeans as a people yet; that is what this semester is for. But I know that they are transitioning into a successful and strong new democracy and the change in visa processing is a part of it all. A professor at Palacky University told me that there was some sort of election or voting and my application got caught in the transitional period after it all. What I'd like to know is: Why did no one inform me of this transition? It makes a little more sense, now that I know about the voting, why no one (MSU, Palacky University, the consulate, the US embassy) seemed to know about the change. But I would have liked to have had this explained to me so I could prepare for it. I do plan on asking about it all when I get there - I would really like to understand why my visa, as well as those of other students trying to get to Palacky, got caught up in the transition and prevented us from leaving and starting school on time.

I'm still waiting and worrying about my visa. Hopefully I'll have good news soon.

The end of a tough week

Hi everyone. Tonight should have been my last in the United States for 4 months, but it's not. Instead, I'm hoping Tuesday the 15th will be... until then I continue to email and call anyone I can think of to ask for help with getting my visa. So far, the only answer we can get from anyone is that, according to the Czech immigration police, my application is "still in the process". I've been really stressed out and losing faith and I wrote the following as an account of what I've done for this study abroad program. I emailed a condensed version to people in the Office of Study Abroad and to some of my professors. It's lengthy and detailed, but it's all the truth.

At this point I just really want to be in Central Europe - the place that intrigues me and inspires me when learning about their recent history. I'm so hungry for the classes I'm to take this semester and to meet the people that have been comforting me this week. I'm getting very nervous about getting my visa in time to leave on the 16th. If you have any suggestions for me at all - people to contact, words of encouragement, advice on what to say to people I contact - I really appreciate it. Hopefully soon my posts will be full of more excitement than stress.

            This week was supposed to be one of preparation and excitement for me. I have been looking forward to tomorrow, February 4, since September as the day I would leave for a semester in the Czech Republic. I believe that I completed and have done everything for this study abroad on time and in an exemplary fashion, yet I will not be leaving tomorrow because my visa has yet to be approved by the Czech Immigration Police. Let me tell you how I came to this point…

            I decided I would go to the Czech Republic this spring at the beginning of my sophomore year (Fall 2009), but could not apply until this past fall. I submitted my application on September 10, 2010, well before the deadline, which was, I believe, October 20. I began having meetings with my coordinator on October 14 to which I brought my completed application for Palacky University as well as the resume and other documents they required. It was around that time I also renewed my passport and paid to have it expedited so I could begin the visa application process as soon as possible because I was told it could be quite slow. From that day, I filled out my visa application and waited to receive the letters required from Palacky University. I did not receive these letters until November 23, and the very next day I mailed my application and necessary documents to the Czech consulate in Chicago. Again, I waited to hear about my visa. The instructions were that it would take about 60 days to process my application, and this made me worry since I had only been able to allow around 70 days. I would have loved to have sent in my application earlier than this, but I was prevented from doing so because I was waiting for the necessary letters from Palacky University.

            On January 10, 2011 I emailed the Czech Consulate in Chicago to check on the status of my visa. At that time I was told that my application began the process on November 27 and that it would take up to 60 days to be completed. Hearing this news, I didn’t worry too much because 60 days was the week before I was set to leave on February 4, and I trusted the consulate would give me accurate information. As my departure date approached I began to get nervous, and on Monday, January 31, my passport with my visa still had not arrived. I called the consulate and was told my application had yet to be approved. I was devastated at this news and began to contact everyone I could think of who could help.

            My first reaction was to call the Office of Study Abroad and talk to my coordinator. She suggested I get in contact with Palacky University. I did this by talking with a student I have been in contact with on Facebook. She called her teacher, who then emailed me. The consulate told me I could have my passport back so I could fly to the Czech Republic, but I would have to mail it back to the US to get my passport. This, they told me, would leave me in the country illegally. Palacky University did not want me to do this, so they suggested I change my flight. Either way, I was at a huge disadvantage. I had no idea what to do after the consulate could not even give me a date to expect my visa, so my mom and I began calling and emailing Senator Levin, who directed us to the Czech desk at the State Department. They told us there was little they could do, but it was worth a try. I emailed my coordinator in the OSA, but didn’t hear from her again. Tuesday we learned that not even Palacky University could get an answer from the Czech immigration police for when my visa would be approved, and that there was nothing they could do to speed up the process. So, I sat and waited again, losing hope every minute.

            We kept hoping that my visa would be approved and printed at the consulate by this morning so maybe we could drive to Chicago to get my passport and I could leave as planned tomorrow morning. However, there was a miniscule chance of that happening and we began speaking with our travel agent to change my flight. This is even risky because I still have no idea when my visa will be approved, but school starts at Palacky on February 14^th and I do not want to miss more school than I have to. I’ve picked February 16^th as my new departure date hoping two weeks is enough time to have my visa approved.  I did not choose to reschedule my flight, I was forced to because my visa has not been approved. However, I will have to pay $373 for this, which is not money I have lying around.

            I came into this program with full faith in the Office of Study Abroad, Palacky University, and the American and Czech governments to send me on an incredible study abroad experience. I have lost a little of that faith this week. I knew I would be going on this trip alone, and I did not apply for any scholarships, but I thought I would have a great experience nonetheless. It has been incredibly stressful each day this week not knowing what I could do to insure my departure for the Czech Republic. I am not sure exactly what I am asking for now, because as each person I have spoken this week has said, there is nothing that can be done to help at this point. I just have to continue hoping that I will be able to leave on February 16^th.

            I guess what I can say now is that I ask you to please encourage or require that any students looking to do this program in the Czech Republic apply incredibly early – both to the program and for their visa. Like I said, I believe I did everything in time according to the information I was given and with waiting for the documents I needed. Again, there is nothing I can do now but wait; but I hope future students will not have to experience what I have this week.

Snowpocalypse and some movement with my visa

Good morning all. I hope those of you in the midwest survived the colossal storm we had yesterday! I really don't think it was as bad as they were saying, but there is plenty of snow here anyway. And, I hope those of you in school (college and high school!) are enjoying your snow day! You're most likely still in bed... I do wish I was at MSU to enjoy this almost historic snow day, but alas I am home still working on making sure I leave on Friday.

I just wanted to do a quick update if any of you are watching my story closely... I don't want to be too much of a news reporter! After writing to the US Embassy in Prague yesterday, they replied early this morning also giving the option of FedExing my passport back to the US once I am in the Czech Republic. That is, of course, in the case my visa doesn't come - but I still have faith! I have even more faith because then I got an email from my coordinator at Palacky University telling me she got word from the university coordinator that they have urged the immigration police to rush their student's visas. So hopefully this gets a move on things! The embassy, immigration police, and Palacky don't really want me to send my passport home after I get there, but they all tell me to follow the instructions of the Consulate in Chicago. So, I emailed them and will call them in a few hours - they aren't open yet, and who knows what it's like after that blizzard! :) Either way, I think I will be driving to Chicago to get my passport tomorrow and fly out on Friday!

Keep your fingers crossed... I'll update as I get more info!

Tweet tweet!

Tweet by tweet progress on my visa... I will make my Twitter public so you can follow what's happening! We're calling an emailing everyone we know...

Keeping fingers crossed!

In limbo and not liking it.

So, my plan for today was to clean and organize my room and begin packing for my departure for the Czech Republic scheduled for this Friday. I was planning on posting some fun tidbits of the joys of packing for a 4 month trip, as well as thank my friends in East Lansing for a fun "final weekend in the United States". Unfortunately, my plans have changed.

When I hadn't yet received my passport with my student visa in it this weekend, I decided I would call the consulate in Chicago this morning to see what the hold up was. I called this morning and, to my disappointment, my visa still has not been processed and there is no way to know when it will be. The lady I spoke with gave me an option of having them send me my passport so I could fly tot he Czech Republic Friday as planned, but when I arrived there I would have to mail my passport back to the consulate in Chicago. Then they would put the visa in it, that would take "only one or two days, no big deal". One little thing - while I send my passport back to the US and wait for it to get its visa, I would be in the Czech Republic illegally. Not really my idea of good way to do study abroad.

So I call the Study Abroad Office and my coordinator tells me to get in touch with Palacky University. At this time it was already after 5 pm in the Czech Republic... So THANK GOODNESS FOR FACEBOOK I start to talk with one of the girls who are picking me up when I get to Olomouc. She was such a help and comfort. She got in contact with her teacher who has been sort of overseeing my coming to Palacky, and she said that I should wait to come to the Czech Republic until I have my passport with the visa. This is because I have to check in with the police after being there for 3 days or something...

So now I'm stuck with two very unfortunate and uncertain options. Either I have the consulate send me my passport, I fly to the Czech Republic, and mail it back to the US leaving me in the Czech Republic illegally; or I cancel my flight and sit and wait until I get my passport with its visa.
Either way, I'm really upset, and now I have no idea when I'll be leaving for the Czech Republic. It may not be for another 2 weeks.

On the bright side, I am so thankful for Facebook and the girls I am in contact with at Palacky University. Because of them I can at least be in contact instantly with someone in the Czech Republic and hopefully speed up something to help me to leave as soon as possible. And school doesn't start until the 14th and the first week, the girls tell me, is really nothing. But that isn't much comfort because I'm bored and ready to leave now! I guess this is my first taste of how things are in the Czech Republic. Hopefully I can look back on all this in an academic way...

Hopefully tomorrow I will have some better news after hearing from Palacky... Until then, positive thoughts for the speedy arrival of my visa and the grace of the Czech immigration police to be gracious and allow me to come study very soon in their country are greatly appreciated!

End of the semester and an award for research

Since I last posted I have been on my winter break for over a month. I successfully finished my 5th semester at MSU and am now preparing to fly to the Czech Republic to spend a semester at Palacky University in Olomouc. Last semester was incredibly challenging for me academically, so it has been nice having a break from all of that. I've been in Muskegon working at Ryke's Bakery and helping with some things for my dad and stepmom at Clock Funeral Home. I'm really happy I have these jobs to keep me busy (and help me to pay off my credit card) before I leave for study abroad... my departure is fast approaching!


I do have some very exciting news I would like to share... This past semester one of the classes I took in James Madison was a 300 level course titled "Women and Power in Comparative Perspective". I took this class because it met requirements in both my Comparative Cultures and Politics major and Women and Gender Studies Minor. My professor was Dr. Zahra Jamal, and boy did she challenge us! Never before had I read so many different authors in one class. At first it was very overwhelming and I had a hard time keeping up and writing successful responses to each article or book. However, when Monika, Sam, Gaby, and I began to work on our final paper and project for the class, we soon found out all the work in the class was for a reason.


Our final project was a 25 page paper and 25 minute presentation on a topic of our choice, but related to the themes of the course. We chose to research on the topic of Women in Grassroots Organizing and somehow landed on the specific topic on Latinas in Labor Organizing in the United States. Monika came up with the interesting idea of using Chicana feminism as a theoretical background and together we came up with the case studies of the United Farm Workers of America (my focus in the paper), the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, and the Garment Workers Center and their boycott of Forever 21. I really love research because no matter how daunting the task at hand it seems as though somehow everything can fit together... and the moment you find that connection and everything clicks is the most satisfying moment for a young researcher and writer. When that moment happened for us, and when we were praised for our presentation to the class, we knew we had done something great!


As we continued working incredibly hard on our research and the paper we decided that, since we had been getting such good feedback from our professer, we should enter it in MSU's Center for Gender in Global Context's undergraduate research competition on women and gender in global context. We were very proud of our work at the time of its completion (and after a few very late nights at the library) and were hoping for the best when we turned in our work to our professer and entered it in the competition.


I am very excited to say that yesterday we received the news that we had been awarded Honorable Mention for our paper, "We have Guts, We Have Spirit: Feminist Applications to Chicana Labor Organization in the United States"!! We didn't win the competition, but the committee doesn't always give honorable mention and they felt we deserved recognition for our hard work. It is so exciting to be recognized for this and I am looking forward to the reception next week! 


I am very proud of myself and my friends for writing this paper and am even more excited to continue my studies and to hopefully continue researching women in a global context. I am now more confident in my research and academic skills and am excited for my future. I wonder what I will find in my semester studying Central Europe? I can't wait to find out!