Just an hour ago, I talked to Salif who is driving to Georgia Perimeter College to meet his coach. After getting his visa last week, finally it was really going to happen. (For those who haven't read this blog regularly, there is a long saga of Salif Kante on the blog: he's Senegal's national tennis champion, and he has a full scholarship to go to school in the U.S.)
There have been so many bumps in the road, even after he got the offer in June. My bank wouldn't write the letter required by the U.S. government unless I filled out some form. And no, I couldn't go meet that person to explain what I wanted. And they had to do a special request to find out how much money I'd deposited over the last year (didn't they know??). Then, the school lost documents we'd sent. Fortunately, the Coach went over to the admissions office and logged on to find the precise "missing" documents. Then, we wanted the I-20 form sent via DHL, but the school needed a signed request....For weeks, there was some detail every day.
Even with the school's I-20 in hand, Salif still had to get a visa from the U.S. Embassy, which is no small feat.
But it all happened! Last Wednesday Salif got his visa, and today he is in Atlanta. He and his family celebrated on Saturday, and he told me he didn't sleep for three days, staying up with friends and getting ready. And today, I got a message from him saying he is in Atlanta.
What a long arduous trip it has been!
Amy -- I am so happy for Salif. Thanks for letting us know what was going on. I know this is not the end of the story for him, but just the start to the next chapter.
I'm sorry we didn't manage to see you all again before you left town. Next time. Or maybe in Portland? I hope you post some more about your life there.
-- Susan
Posted by: Susan | August 11, 2009 at 08:36 PM