PAGE 9

Me(loudly) : Good Morning Mam
Vo (no response):
VO: Can I have the pink token please ?
Me: Yeah ( gave it)
(For 2 minutes, she kept on typing something)
VO: So what are you going to do at University of Southern California?
Me: Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with focus on Computer Networks
VO: Okay, good (her smile was distracting)
VO: So where did you do your undergraduation?
Me: Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat
VO: What did you do there & have you got the degree?
Me: I did Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communications & had the convocation on 9th May 2009
VO: Okay, good !
(By now I started thinking I had cracked her ;) and then came the dreaded question )
VO (with a mean interrogative look): Where does your sister live?
Me: New Jersey
VO: What does she do?
Me: She's into Physical therapy mam, I mean a Physiotherapist.
VO: Can I see a copy of her visa?
Me (Now she was getting the better of me): I don't have it mam. But she is working in a private clinic on H1B status & is married since 1 year.
VO: H1B..hmmm..Okay, good
VO: So what does your dad do?
Me: He is a Chartered Accountant
(VO starts looking at the i20. Fearing that she will look at the huge i20 amount of USC, I decided to mention about my mother too before she starts shooting finance questions)
Me: Both my parents are sponsoring me & my Mom is a Pathologist
Vo: Okay, good ( This seemed like her tag line ;-P )
VO: Have you been outside your country before?
Me: No
Vo (Vigorously typing something): Keep this i20 safely with you. You'll need it for your entry in United States. Your visa has been issued. Have fun in California ! (Her smile was back ;) )
Me : Thanks a lot mam


Destination : Univ of texas at Austin
Major : M.S in power systems
Consulate : Mumbai
Reporting time : 8 15 am
interview : 9 am
Here is a summary of the interview, took around a minute in total
V.0 : So why are you going to U.S?
me : to do MS in power systems
v.o : What is power systems and why power systems
me : explained this
v.o : where did you do your undergrad from?
me : univ of mumbai
v.o : when did you do it
me : exams just got over three days ago
v.o : when are results?
me : no clue its MU ( or words to that effect)
now v.o looks at I 20
v.o : your orientation is on 14th, not much of a vacation
me : sheepish grin
v.o : what does you father do
answered
v.o : what is his income?
answered
v.o : where do you plan to stay in Austin
me : not decided
v.o : hmm so you guys stay here?
me :yeah
v.o : any friends or family in power sytems?
me :naah
v.o : hmm austin is a good town, i hope you enjoy your stay there!
me : woohoo ( inside of course)


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