Applying for a Canadian Study Permit
My MA Journey — Part II
I did get my admission letter in November. I sent an email to the Graduate Chair in response to my offer letter. She was and is wonderful and she mentioned that I could apply for a scholarship. She sent me the link for an application and I went through the requirements and prepared my documents. Then about two weeks later, I got confirmation that I had been awarded the scholarship. To be honest, I had taken for granted the seeming ease of the whole process.
The next phase proved to be more intense. I embarked on the quest for a Canadian Study permit. As with my application for the MA program, I did my research and started my application. I believe that the process towards an application is a bit confusing especially if you are unsure if you are doing the right thing. The visa application process is tasking due to immigration policies. At times, I also think it could be a method to deter unserious applicants.
Initially, I took my documents with me to the visa application consultants in Pretoria. They took care of biometrics for the Canadian High Commission. I got my biometrics done and then I handed in certified copies of my documents. I thought they acted like the typical agencies, were knowledgeable and would ensure I had everything I needed. I did not know that I could apply digitally and I only needed go to their office for biometrics. Two weeks after my application. I got a response. My application had been rejected because I had insufficient funds (due to a sibling still studying in an European country) and I did not seem like I would leave the country upon completing study.
I was shocked and devastated. I had never been rejected entry into a counrty before. I emailed the Graduate Chair to let her know I would not be starting in the Winter semester (this was a blessing in disguise). I defered my admission and applied for a Canadian visa again in January. This time, the scholarship letter I had been anticipating had come in and I could add that to my parents pay stubs. I went back to Pretoria on my own after sending in an application online. I knew at this point that I could go in just for biometrics and handle the rest of my application on my own. I had travelled by bus to Pretoria and stayed in a hotel on my own. I realized that traveling on my own was not as fun.
Then the long wait begun. I was home most days, reading and chilling. I rested and it was awesome most of the time. I vacilated between sleeping away my sorrows, hanging out with a friend, window shopping, praying, taking walks, watching movies, and having pity parties. Until my friend went off to start her MA in June, then I was truly alone. About five months after I had applied online, I received a message to go for medicals (yes, you read right, five months after!). I located the doctor authorized to carry out the medical checks, got my blood work done and then I waited for another two months before I recieved the message to send my passport. I got my visa and booked my ticket within a week. Thus, my MA journey officially begun.
Looking back, I learned
- Patience: I learned to value the time I had resting because that was probably the last time I would have a full year to rest and just exist without thinking about school or work.
2. Independence: I have always been independent, my parents did an excellent job making sure we are all responsible. I did learn to take ownership of my decisions like I never had before. Because I had refused to do my MA at the University of Botswana, I was on my own in terms of the actions required to go were I wanted. My parents did provide financial support but the rest was on me.
3. Understanding: I understood and discovered myself. I rediscovered my love for taking walks. I exercised at home. I went to driving school and learned to drive a manual car. I cooked, I interacted with my parents, and started making bracelets and necklaces from beads. I understood my brother a bit more during that period. He was still in school, but I got to watch his patterns and I realized he is an interesting individual. He also forced me to go out and get out of my phases of sadness and self-pity.
4. Care: I learned how to take care of myself and people around me. My mum had an operation during that period and I am glad I was there to take care of her. I also applied myself to taking care of the children’s department. I planned events for them and made sure they had a wonderful time in church every Sunday.
5. Trust: what guided me during that season was the understanding that I would be underestimating God if I gave up. I knew he wanted to take me places and he was teaching me a lesson in faith, which has come in handy ever since. I also now have seen how God was setting things up for me before I arrived! Sometimes it’s scary! God literary considered everything, even things I could never have thought of. The delay was certainly his plan!
Thank you for reading this. I will wrap up this series next week with my actual MA journey, my intoduction to stress vomiting, tears, recieving negative feedback, and the death of my friend. XOXO
