Years ago, when I worked for the Hamilton County Welfare Department, I learned that the easiest way to get on the good side of my supervisors was to show up early for work. I acquired the habit of doing things way before I really had to so I'd avoid missing deadlines. But how much extra time is enough?
Today, I received a Fed Ex package from the University of Shandong at Weihai. Inside was an invitation to apply for a Type F Chinese Visa. This is the type I ought to have, because I'm classified as a "foreign expert." I hoped for this material much earlier, but Shandong University did not send it until now, two weeks before my first trip. Did this give me sufficient time? Of course it did! The turnaround time with a visa agent is four days, or less. But rationality is not what this is about. I'd already gone ahead and gotten a type L or tourist visa, because I was anxious about being unprepared.
The issue is probably cultural. People vary in their perception of how much advance time is "enough." And I'm starting to realize that I, as an American, may be just a little uptight in this regard.
3 comments:
Hi Roz,
On my first trip to America my company suddenly realized that I would need a visa about 5 days before my trip!!! I spent the next day in London at the American Embassy!!
I say briefly: Best! Useful information. Good job guys.
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Your website has a useful information for beginners like me.
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