On Wednesday May 8th, I met up with Maureen, Mr. Adam and Miss Amy to discuss the steps that had to be done to be able to get the visa so Denis can travel to the USA. This is one of the aspects that I did not see coming because the chances of choosing someone from Costa Rica were very small because in high school there aren't that many students from Costa Rica. However this has been a good experience because it shows me all the way that a project can develop through out time.
To be honest I was very nervous about the meeting because I was expecting the worst regarding the Visa. I thought that Maureen was going to tell us that we didn't have enough time and it wouldn't be feasible to get the Visa on time. I was really regretting not creating a feasibility paper about my project, and I didn't do one because I was (am) too stubborn about this project and I told myself that someway of another I would complete it and I didn't need to worry about any problems until I had them in front of me.
I liked the way that the meeting was very casual this helped me relax and bring back my positive attitude. Once Maureen asked me how I started this project all my worries went away because every time that talk about it or even think about I get goose bump and butterflies in my stomach because I realized the impact that I'm making and I'm so joyful and surprised that me a 17 yea old 11th grade students can change the life of 2 students by giving them opportunity to travel and explore their passions the way that I was able to so last year. And then of course I explained how it related to CAS and how we are very lucky to create our own projects in relation to our passions that way each of our project create a larger impact on our community.
Then I told Maureen about Denis, the way the he is an outstanding student that is flourishing with his experience at La Paz and how he just want to learn and specially how this experience will be so important for him because it will be the first time that he leaves the country. This was something that also worried me because it was the first time that he will leave the country and maybe that would create complications.
After I said what I needed to say, Maureen handed everyone some papers with the instructions and procedures that have to be done in order to get the Visa. The papers are very detailed and self explanatory, but she still explained to us each step and also gave us a list of the different documents that Denis will need to present for his interview.
The first step is to feel out the Visa application form online, which ask a series of questions. Then we need to pay the Visa and then make an appointment for Denis and his parents to go to the USA embassy and to go an interview. After that we just wait and cross our fingers that he gets it!
We agreed that we would all get together the following Monday, May 12th and be with Denis when he did the online application. Also I had a list of Documents to get and I was not worried about that or paying the Visa because I have fundraise enough money. The only this that I was worried was the interview because they would have to go all the way to San Jose. I was worried about this because it's a big sacrifice that they have to do and it's also it can be expensive to go there. Another thing that I was worried about was and is the fact that there is a possibility that he wouldn't get the Visa and I had to tell that to Denis and that just broke my heart because I honestly would not know what I would do if he doesn't get the visa because he and I'm also (he is more though) excited about him going. But I have to be positive because we are doing everything we can and I'm so grateful for everyone how is helping with the Visa application because it's a long process and I won't be able to do it without Maureen or Mr. Adam's help because they have been on top of everything and making sure that Denis and I get everything done on time and the right way.
Then the next day on Thursday May 8th, I explained to Denis all the process that we had to get done for the Visa and I also told him about the possibly of not getting it. I told him that nobody knows how the USA embassy actually decides but that we will do everything we can for him because we all want him to go. He was very comprehensive and and said that he understood and that we had to keep our fingers crossed because we had everything and he said that he would try his hardest to create a good impression during the interview. Also he told me that he really appreciated all my hard work and wanted to help and be involve with the process and not have us to it for him. This was really important for me because during my last event I learned the importance of having others help and I told myself that I would make sure to do every step with him so he felt part of it and doesn't feel left out from the process because this is for him and it's important that he feels ownership of the process as well.
We have a lot to do!!
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