...esperanza....i'm sure i don't need to suggest that the letters be polite and with bessos (sp?) LOL...those Spaniards (men) love the ladies flirting with them!!!!!!hehe

But what exactly is the complaint? They couldn't process the visa request the first time because she didn't have the police report. The second time, she didn't have the copies that they need... Sure the person could have made a copy, but I can understand why they don't... if they did this for everyone it would cause total chaos. I think it's best to chalk it up to experience and move on. Compared to what the US puts foreign students through now--something that we might actually be able to fight, since it's our own government--it's minor.

Well regardless it was a wonderful introduction to what will doubtless be countless frustrations with the machinations on Spanish governmental organizations. And a good lfie experience at that - you wouldnt want her to have it too easy - it will toughen her up and make her feel more accomplished in the end. I say it was a good life lesson ...

I think the problem is the lack of civility and understanding in helping a young girl through what is obviously a tricky process. If she had been treated politely and with kindness, she would still have learned her lesson (a good one), but the whole thing would have been less stressful and more positive for everyone. I adore Spain and the Spanish, but after countless experiences with Spanish bureaucracy, and the frequent changes to the rules with no explanation or advance warning (not that that happened in this case, but it does happen on a shockingly regular basis), and an accompanying rudeness, I think it could have been handled better.

And sometimes it is. A few months ago I requested official documents via email from two towns outside Madrid. The people at the ayuntamiento in the one town ignored me completely - no explanation. In the other town my request was answered in less than 24 hours, and completed, with a series of very polite and formal e-mails, within two days. The official document was in the mail - literally. At the same time I was also gathering government documents from various places in Pennsylvania, and even though they were fairly efficient, it was a lot of red tape, done with long faces, and even expensive! (I was charged nothing in Spain.)

My point is that there are different approaches to doing things. Spanish customer service is an interesting issue to discuss. Sometimes it's great, and sometimes it's appalling. I think this case was in the latter category.

I think the real problem is that the US schools don't properly prepare the students for the process. For the amount of money that it costs to study abroad via a US program (usually 35x--yes thirty five times as much--as what a Spanish student pays to study full time!), the schools surely have the resources to research exactly what is needed for each consulate and provide solid checklists to the students. Back in the day, schools took care of all of this for students studying abroad... seems like those days are over.

Yes, those days are over. With shrinking budgets and many study abroad advisors wearing many hats, the days of personalized attention are a thing of the past.

Many universities do give you checklists, but it's up to you to do the research to find out exactly what's needed for the student visa. It's not just the universities either. Many embassies and consulates are very hard to get a hold of, or better yet, try to talk to someone in person.

Good luck in the process.

Yeah ... I have to agee with that ! Try dealing with the Russian embassy in London !! I now pay someone to do all the work ( getting a visa ) for me . I contacted the Russian embassy here in Madrid and it seems even more of a "pesadilla " nightmare .. Crazy when , as has been talked about on this thread , that our reasons for a visa are entirely good natured .. Study , family , tourism etc .......

As Diana says It isn't the amount of documentation that is needed that is the problem, it is the ATTITUDE! The feeling of real inferiority that she felt when she was talking to the clerk. Also, if the website says copies of the passport, it is not clear how many copies! .

At least now she is prepared to go next time with extra copies of everything...and my husband is accompanying her...hopefully we will be able to get her the visa, so she is legally there. I agree with you, Steve, it is frustrating when the reason to get the visa is totally good natured!.