With faith I tap into this testimony.

#Mycaseisdifferent

Hallelujahvoice:
VISA APPROVED!
F1 (Fall 2021)
Abuja
July 2021
COA: 32K
First attempt
No GA or TA
Lasted not more than 2 minutes
Long post, short transcript


Little background...
It was a battle getting an interview date.
When I first booked, the earliest date was 2 months later than my school's resumption. Had to book anyway and requested for an expedited interview.
This was approved after 2 hours, thankfully.

Even after the Approval, there were no closer dates available. I did an email and got the usual response "...Please be advised that the availability of slots is at the sole discretion of the US Embassy."

God was still working.
After a few days, I checked and saw a date few days after my resumption date. I was happy knowing we're getting somewhere even if we were not there yet.

At this point, I felt I had exhausted all options. I was considering switching to Lagos (thank God I didn't). I didn't lose hope. I was working with faith.

Next thing, I saw someone make a post here in the afternoon about open dates in June ending and first week of July.
I hurriedly logged in to my account. Lo and behold, I could see those dates and quickly rescheduled to a more suitable and earlier date.

Guess what? In the middle of rejoicing and celebrating, I got 3 texts messages in 3 hours from a +1 number tagged 'US Visa Collection' on Truecaller. It read:
Your B1/B2 visa appointment at the US Embassy has been cancelled. Please check your email for more details.
Checked my email and saw the same mail from an address that had a semblance with the official email the Embassy uses for correspondence.

Oh boy! I hurriedly logged in to my dashboard and saw my appointment was still "scheduled". No shaking.

Mind you, I applied for an F1 not B1/B2.
Mischief makers at work.


Next was to prepare for my interview proper.
Through prayers and fasting, I prepared. Reached out to few people to join in prayers and prep. me. I had friends review my transcript and I had several video mock interview sessions.
S/O to Uche, @kemlaughs (for the several zoom mock sessions), Ekong, Mag. for y'alls commitment.

Long story short...
Arrived Abuja few days before to get used to the environment (lodged at Xcence Guest House by Emeka Anyaoku Street, Garki Abuja). 'Twas affordable and #500 away (bolt) from the Embassy and Close to a pharmacy/supermarket and big and affordable restaurant (Ojuelegba).

The big day came... arrived 2 hours before time. Of course I met with the mandem: "Bros staple your passport", "You don print this and that? You go come back meet us oo"... thanks to those that shared their experience and the guidance from Uche and @kemlaughs, I came prepared with necessary documents and didn't pay attention to them.

While waiting, I spoke in tongues, sang songs of praise and worship. It boosted my confidence.
Next we were asked to queue up at the gate, searched by the security then ushered into the Embassy.

After few minutes, those for 7:00am were called up to queue. The Embassy staff arranged our Int'l passport, signed I-20, passport photograph and DS-160 confirmation page accordingly.
Next we went through another round of check (airport standard) before we went to the next part of the building.

There, we queued up and went along with the documents sorted out (int'l passport, signed i-20, passport photograph and DS-160 confirmation page). We went to the interviewing section twice.
First was the final scan/verification of our documents, next was for the interview proper.

In there, it felt like it was judgement day
People rejoicing (I saw a man legit screaming "Jesus loves me" very expressively while the guy walking next to him was really disappointed and sad).
Mixed feelings, tension building up but I had to maintain beauty
Thankfully, the security started singing Obinasom by Mercy Chinwo and I joined in. It boosted my faith in God for a great outcome.

I kept declaring "My case is different".

In my very before, people were approved and denied.
Please, don't lose focus or let any of what you see mess up your psych. Don't even try to profile any VO.
Que sera sera...what will be will be.


Interview proper:
After exchanging pleasantries and biometric verification:
VO: I see you're going to Ohio University.
Me: Yes, that's right.

VO:Why Ohio University?
VO: What is your concentration?
VO: Who will be sponsoring your education?


VO: I will be approving your Visa (while handing me the white paper). And she talked about the covid protocol and all.

It felt like a dream. Had to shake myself to confirm this was real.


I return all the glory to God for doing what only Him could do...for taking the glory.
Big S/O to Uche for encouraging me right from the start in 2018/2019 till date. For reviewing my transcript and guiding me every step of the way. God bless you.
Big S/O to @kemlaughs for preparing me... gave me a lotta tips and prayer points and encouraged me to always stand in front of the mirror. Thanks for the mock-up sessions
S/O to Ekong and Mag.

Remember, the heart of a king (in this case, the VOs) is like the rivers of waters which God directs and He orders them to go whichever way He pleases.

Prepare and pray.
Trust God.
Celebrate grace.
#mytestimony