we have jokes going around about US visa application interviews. one of these jokes revolved around a grandfather being turned down a US visa because he does not know how to speak English. The grandfather retorted something to the effect that the consular officer has no right to be in the Philippines as he does not know how to speak Filipino as well.
perhaps the consular officer that interviewed us read this story somewhere and proceeded to demonstrate that this is not entirely true at all 🙂
after going through the usual security check, submitting the application forms and getting a number in return and finally being finger-scanned, we had to wait out in the interview room as i call it with the rest of those aspiring to get that much sought after visa. seeing and eavesdropping (unintentionally) on the interviews initially makes you jittery but later on actually can make nerves calm. at least that was it for me. there were a number of outright turn-downs and i’m sorry’s and only a handful of approval.
in the midst of all these interviews, one friendly Filipino speaking voice can be heard from my seat. i could not see who was speaking Filipino but you could tell he was an American by the accent. and by luck, we got his window for the interview.
i would have to say he was quite good with the language and was really friendly throughout the interview interpersing a joke here and there but you can tell he was really smart. his questions would seem harmless but were meant to draw out any hidden desire to stay in the US for good.
it was a very good interview i would say and i do not say that because we got approved but because it was refreshing to see a foreigner take the time to learn the language and in the process understand the filipino culture during his term here. i cebuano, dili siya mabaligya 😀
two thumbs up to the consular officer 🙂
Note: Read “joke” here…
my take 