Bureaucracy, whee
I have my new passport (with awful picture - the last time I had one done one was at least allowed to smile ever so slightly...) so I can now go and get my TD status at the border and be officially admitted to the MLIS program - at least in theory. I must say, they don't make this remotely easy or convenient for their students - or, at least, for me. The three people I've been bounced around between have, at various times, told me that I don't need a TD visa, and the website seems to confirm that only non-citizens resident in Canada need one. The only thing I can possibly conclude is that "TD status" is different from "a TD visa", which might have been helpful information for them to convey to me much earlier in this process. My situation is complicated by virtue of being the spouse of a professor there - you would think that might make it easier, but it hasn't. Since we just bought a house and have no income at present, I can't go the standard student visa route which requires proving that one has sufficient funds to cover one's tuition. Instead, they suggested I get the TD status now, then when forthright's H-1B visa takes effect in August, that I get the equivalent dependent visa (an H4) - which requires going to the consulate in Toronto and having an interview there, whee. Fortunately, and unexpectedly, Steve got paid for the first time today, which means we might actually be able to show that we have enough money in the bank to cover my tuition (you know, if we didn't do things like make mortgage payments and eat) and I can avoid the extra hassle of consulates and interrogations. Here's hoping.
However, the MLIS program also kindly informs me that they have an OMGMANDATORY orientation on August 21-22. If I don't attend, I supposedly won't be permitted to register for my courses. Guess when I'm going to be in New Brunswick for longpig and wererogue's wedding? Yeah. I've emailed the contact person listed on their website to see just how big a problem this is going to be, but got an automated "out of office" response because, like everyone else at the university, she's apparently on vacation. Haven't heard anything else back yet. When I contacted the prof who's supposed to be my advisor, I specifically told her the dates I was going to be away (leave the 14th, get back on the 31st) and she didn't seem concerned, just told me to register for some of the required courses and we could meet when we were both back in town (as she's in Europe until the 16th). Bah. All of this makes me very bitter and disinclined to like the program right off the bat. I miss McGill, where they just said "Sure you can come, it'll be fun, oh and here's an entrance award to cover most of your tuition."
However, the MLIS program also kindly informs me that they have an OMGMANDATORY orientation on August 21-22. If I don't attend, I supposedly won't be permitted to register for my courses. Guess when I'm going to be in New Brunswick for longpig and wererogue's wedding? Yeah. I've emailed the contact person listed on their website to see just how big a problem this is going to be, but got an automated "out of office" response because, like everyone else at the university, she's apparently on vacation. Haven't heard anything else back yet. When I contacted the prof who's supposed to be my advisor, I specifically told her the dates I was going to be away (leave the 14th, get back on the 31st) and she didn't seem concerned, just told me to register for some of the required courses and we could meet when we were both back in town (as she's in Europe until the 16th). Bah. All of this makes me very bitter and disinclined to like the program right off the bat. I miss McGill, where they just said "Sure you can come, it'll be fun, oh and here's an entrance award to cover most of your tuition."