Frustrating Sweden Migration Board

Bad things always happen after Good things - This is one of what I have learned in my life so far.

Let's start with good news: On 21 December 2014, I took the Toefl IBT test because school asked me to take this exam if i'm not gonna take it I won't get the scholarship for exchange program to Sweden. It's 60000 NT dollars. Why not? Even though I was really pissed when I was asked to take the test because the fee of taking the exam is like 5000 NT dollars. That's why I took Toefl ITP instead. However, they convinced me with another rule. They said if I'm not able to pass 80, i will still get half of the money. Ces't a dire, 30000 NT dollars. Ah well, fine I'll take it.

I waited my score to be out for a while since the waiting time was prolonged due to the new year vacation. The Toefl website began to let us view the score on the beginning of January. I got 90!!! I got so nervous when I started to log in the website. Actually I was so frustrated after finished the test. I knew I wasn't good at speaking section. But the result surprised me and my friends. When I knew the result, I immediately called Carrie. ( because she also took the exam) She got 80. I was so glad that we both passed it. And then I called dad and mom telling them this news. So this is really a good news in the beginning of this year.

Ok. Now lets talk about bad news: Jex and I applied Sweden student visa online and almost in the same week. I prepared those required documents for like almost a month cause I had to tell my mom to get them and it needed time. I submitted the application on 4th December 2014. I kept waiting and waiting and WASTing. Now, 22th January I am still waiting. Jex was even informed by them through mail that he needed to hand in the scanned copy but not the photocopied one. Then he got it in a week before the departure. I feel so frustrated. I wrote them several emails, tried to call them, etc. I contacted the representative of Taiwan. Migration board keeps saying the decision hasnt been made and I still need to wait. I asked Sweden consular in Hong Kong. They said they are just consulars but not decision makers. Even now, semester have begun. I'm still stuck in Taiwan. Yesterday, I wrote to their Applicants' ombudsman to complaint about their unfair and inefficient system to deal with student visa.


So far, I have wasted 3500 NT on canceling my flight ticket.

Exchange student to be.

I'm going to Sweden!


Everything happened so suddenly. It was like 4 days before the last day of application for exchange program, Stella and Carrie was discussing about the application documents in the office of our department. I was there as well. They encouraged me to try to apply this. Then all of a sudden, I finished all the application documents in a weekend.

Though there were several issues with other appliers, I still send out the applications. I chose University of Halmstad in Sweden as my first choice of school, and the second one is Hanze University of Applied science in Groningen. I've been really nervous and anxious for the result before 15th Oct. On 15th, I received an Email from Zoe. It was the Acceptance Notification letter. I'm in!

So, that night, I started preparing the documents for the school. Two days after, I finished all the works by now. However, at the moment, I'm still waiting for the notification from school.

I'm so happy that It has been almost two months after coming back from Europe, I can go back there again. Can't wait to meet those European friends.

And I'm going there with Jex. I was wishing I can go there alone. but whatever.

emptiness

在回國幾天之後，心裡滿是空虛。之後，我跟英國友人在line裡提及此事，他回：「過一陣子，這感覺就會煙消雲散的，你隨時都可以回來的。」他知道我在說什麼。

這症狀，是因為不管在英國或是德國見到他們，彼此都用這是最後一面了的心態對待彼此，最後一面的互動往往都比一般人來的親密。親密這詞又或許太過親密，這像世界末日心態一般消極。

AUG 2014 part1

Thanks to my second aunt who informed my mom that she has a friend his kids was gonna visit Europe for one month and my aunt asked my mom to let me join them, I got the chance to Europe. I got the call from my mom while I was just awake from my bed in my dorm. That just caught me on the hop. Mom told me to book all the things by myself. Yes, also included flight tickets. I still remember the reason why i was in Taichung is because I needed to fucking check in for Wei-wei's program. That's a long story. Anyway, my laptop was not with me at that moment. I went to school to use the public computer to book the tickets and apply for the Dubai 96 hrs Visa.

The trip started from 28th July. We landed in Dubai airport in the early morning. Need to wait for the shuttle bus to Abudahbi where was our first place to visit, we stayed in the airport for a few hours until 7am. We were in a big oven. The sun in Dubai nearly scorched my skin. It was my first time experience this kind of weather. Abudahbi, a city which is just next to Dubai, like a city suburb. less cars less building. Ferrari World and Grand Mosque make it famous. Im not a car fan or something. Car is just not my thing. However, my two accompanies have deep love of all the cars. Ferrari World is a must for them. I would say it is pretty good for car lovers. And only some of the facilities are really cool to me. Before this amusement park, we went to Grand Mosque first. At that time, I just wanted to say "Dear sun, can you not!" It is a great piece of art with beautiful rugs inside, tons of people and gay people ( I did see a lot and they were even holding hands.) This made me so happy. That night, I stayed in a hotel alone. There was nothing i can do that night orz.

To be continued....

A trip

So, today, I joined a trip to Sun Moon Lake and Formosan aboriginal culture village that was held by Steven. I met a french family. The father is named Damien, the mother Francoise, the daughter Blanche, and the son PB. PB told us that his Chinese name is 皮耶兒. I think it likes a baby name. Blanche is quite silent or perhaps she talked in a really low voice that I couldn't figure out what she was saying. The mother seemed really kind, that's all. I seldom observed her cause she is just kind. And the father, I really enjoy the conversation between he and I. I tried to speak in French. He did respond in French and once, I can't understand he would switch to English though he is not good at English.

We arrived at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village at around 10 am. We just went straight into the amusement field. Our first stop is the Pirate Boat. BP said we are having a competition like who is the most brave person in this trip who played most of the facilities. I was like, of course me this is nothing. And they were really nothing. At noon, we ate at a restaurant near the Sun Moon Lake. Blanche didn't eat the bamboo soup maybe she thought that is some kind of woods. I dont know. The only thing i know is that they love those dishes. I always heard the compliments from Francoise. After lunch, we went back to the tribes to watch the singing performance of the aboriginals. It was good. We visited so many old rock house there. By the way, I hate the rain in the afternoon. French seemed not afraid of rain. Right! I forgot to mention that the father Damien lent me his cute white cap for I used the map to keep out of the rain. That's really kind of him.

We went down the mountain at around 5 pm and arrived at Taichung train station at 6:30 pm. After the Miyahara, we took the bus backed to Xitun strict. On the bus, I had a really good French practice with Monsieur Damien. He gave me his business card and told me I can contact him. I was really surprised! SO! I must go to France in these few years! must.

Thanks Steven for holding this event.



Charlie

18 Avril

In February, I made a wish to myself (or a goal) that I can get an opportunity for student exchange to European college. I'm now really sad that the chance's getting really tiny that i can't even grab it. In the last winter vacation, I registered Toefl ITP test on 30 March. And now, it's 18th April. I got the result of the test. The score revealed on its website is 583. A great number though I can't even use it.

Also, My english literature midterm score also came out today. It was like a perfect sand castle's suddenly washed away by the sea. It's all gone.



Charlie.

hello

By the beginning of any semester, It always comes to a feeling like this year gonna be different and great one or I'm gonna study very well. However, for me, it'll turn out that everything is just like the same.

BUT, this year, I'm going to make a really big change: my goal is to successfully exchange to European college. (for I haven't made up my mind which college should I choose) In order to be able to do this, I have been started to prepare the Toefl ITP test from this winter vacation. God please let me exchange.

Today, I went back to Feng Chia, prepared my mind to face this new fantastic-to-be semester. Also, I have received a package, which my lovely french friend sent to me. It's a french book called L'oeil du loup and a post-card which is printed with the night view of Tour Eiffel and is filled with her sweetest greeting words. We always keep in touch via LINE or Whatsapp. I texted her that I would definitely have a meet up with her if I go to Paris.

Love this little friendship thing.



Charlie

有時，雨聲撫慰了遊子的心靈
讓雨的聲音轉換成對家鄉的思念
以這種方式在異鄉度過

在台中的日子，面對陌生的環境
總會讓自己有種莫名的反胃感
暑期假日的倒數有意味著要面臨這樣的感覺

要忍受環境
要忍受朋友令人不悅的舉止
要忍受遙遠
忍受悲傷
忍受孤獨
忍受挫敗

Sometimes, the sound of the rain consoles a person who lives far. Let the sound becomes the yearning for home. I live in a strange city by this way.

During the days, I faced unfamiliar things, people, etc. These upset my stomach.  The time of the summer vacation is counting down. The feeling will starts bother me.

Adjust the environment
Endure upsetting behaviors of my friends
Endure the distance
Stand for the loneliness, sadness, frustrations

3rd

每天無所適從
雖然有任務要完成
但是就是有懶懶的心在阻礙我

多益
托福
賺錢
出國

最近的我一直沈迷在Pokemon裡面
算是在尋找童年的回憶吧
真的是太過癮了



對了！我獲得駕照溜
我好沒文筆...

2nd 日誌

昨天上道路駕駛

教練偷懶只給我半趟

晚上和爸爸去買宵夜全程都是我開的

但他還是不太放心一直跟我說要注意看來車

我都有徹底地看了

昨天終於下雨了

立刻打到臉書狀態

omg its raining, the last time i heard the sound of rain 

was like 2 months ago

是的沒錯！好久沒聽到宜蘭的雨聲。