For many of us in India, the USA has always been a fascination. And even before we set our feet into the land of Opportunities most of us who do not have close friends or relatives in the US have our own perception of how the world's most developed nation would be.
A person like me who has only been to the southern states of India the outlook of another country was largely made up with the news, opinions from friends and family. Initially very reluctant to travel abroad, mainly owing to the 'My Nation' feeling (I'm sure most of you would have felt it that way) changed one fine evening when my manager walked up to me asking whether I am ready to travel to the US on a B1 Visa. At that time the word B1 sounded a complete new language to me, and immediately as all the IT professionals do I started a search in Google and found out the answers to all my questions. And here I was, suddenly felt like there were too many things happening at the same time in life; had the interview dates taken, had to prepare for the trip, had to make my wife understand that I will be in touch with her and get ready to meet the American clients to whom I was talking on a weekly basis in person.
The one thing which helped me relax thinking of the fact that traveling to a country which is completely new to me, was the fact that my colleagues (who are called the 'Onsite' team in IT language) were good friends of mine and from South India. So the question of how I will go out there and with whom was pretty much answered as the Onsite guys had been there for quite a long time. At this point like any other Indian youth I was pretty much thrilled to get there and for 'The Entry' into the US, the visa had to be obtained through a visa interview held at one of the Consulate offices. A lengthy process of filling out multiple forms and taking the date of interview, finally I was there standing in line for the interview process with the heavy file in top formal attire.
All the while I was standing in the line waiting for my turn to come, there were a thousand things lingering through my mind. Many had told that recent B1 visas were being scrutinized and only a few granted, so to make me fail-proof the HR manager had given a lengthy session on how to brave the interview and the possible scenarios I would come across. Finally my turn came and I was before this American guy who was to take my interview, when prompted I politely held out the paperwork he asked for and confidently answered the few questions he had asked me. Then, my ears heard those very magical words 'Your visa is approved, enjoy your stay at the US!'; WOW so I finally did it, it felt so great at that time realizing that all the days spent of thinking about how the US would be coming closer to reality.
Within a few days my passport which had been unused from the time I got it came back with a visa stamped on it. Now the things were pretty much clear, on what I was supposed to do there and the things I needed while I would be there. Days flew past swiftly and came the time when I had to leave home to the International airport embarking on a lengthy flight to take me across the borders, across the oceans, across the timezones and finally make it to the land of Opportunities.
A person like me who has only been to the southern states of India the outlook of another country was largely made up with the news, opinions from friends and family. Initially very reluctant to travel abroad, mainly owing to the 'My Nation' feeling (I'm sure most of you would have felt it that way) changed one fine evening when my manager walked up to me asking whether I am ready to travel to the US on a B1 Visa. At that time the word B1 sounded a complete new language to me, and immediately as all the IT professionals do I started a search in Google and found out the answers to all my questions. And here I was, suddenly felt like there were too many things happening at the same time in life; had the interview dates taken, had to prepare for the trip, had to make my wife understand that I will be in touch with her and get ready to meet the American clients to whom I was talking on a weekly basis in person.
The one thing which helped me relax thinking of the fact that traveling to a country which is completely new to me, was the fact that my colleagues (who are called the 'Onsite' team in IT language) were good friends of mine and from South India. So the question of how I will go out there and with whom was pretty much answered as the Onsite guys had been there for quite a long time. At this point like any other Indian youth I was pretty much thrilled to get there and for 'The Entry' into the US, the visa had to be obtained through a visa interview held at one of the Consulate offices. A lengthy process of filling out multiple forms and taking the date of interview, finally I was there standing in line for the interview process with the heavy file in top formal attire.
All the while I was standing in the line waiting for my turn to come, there were a thousand things lingering through my mind. Many had told that recent B1 visas were being scrutinized and only a few granted, so to make me fail-proof the HR manager had given a lengthy session on how to brave the interview and the possible scenarios I would come across. Finally my turn came and I was before this American guy who was to take my interview, when prompted I politely held out the paperwork he asked for and confidently answered the few questions he had asked me. Then, my ears heard those very magical words 'Your visa is approved, enjoy your stay at the US!'; WOW so I finally did it, it felt so great at that time realizing that all the days spent of thinking about how the US would be coming closer to reality.
Within a few days my passport which had been unused from the time I got it came back with a visa stamped on it. Now the things were pretty much clear, on what I was supposed to do there and the things I needed while I would be there. Days flew past swiftly and came the time when I had to leave home to the International airport embarking on a lengthy flight to take me across the borders, across the oceans, across the timezones and finally make it to the land of Opportunities.
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