₦airaland Forum

Hello all. My interview is in this month at the Abuja consulate. Can anyone help me evaluate my answers for any weakness that I should address before my interview. I would appreciate any help and advice you can give.
Me: Good Morning
VO: Can you pass your passport?
(Passes passport and I-20).
VO: Why do you want travel to the US?
Me: I want to travel to study to get my Master’s in Environmental Science and specialize in environmental health at the University of Boulder
VO: Why did you pick this program/how will this program benefit you?
Me: I want to get my master's in environmental science and specialize in environmental health because it is relevant to my transition to an environmental health scientist role in my company's research and development department. Additionally, the faculty for this program is conducting interesting research on the impact of urban design and urban sprawl on the natural disasters that affect an area. My company has seen a slight rise in such problems with our clientele, so this is highly relevant to my company's as it actively will address a growing business need. Additionally, I am passionate about this industry as it is a career goal of mine to establish a relevant consultation agency of my own some years after working with my current company.
I also have a study leave from my company.
VO: What do you do for work?
Me: In my current role, I work as an Agricultural Technical Officer, where I write agricultural content for our online and social media presence such as how-to guides and summarize research. In addition, I also write and submit grant proposals for my company as well and sometimes conduct literature review. But, upon completing my master's program, I will return to Nigeria and take on to an Environmental health Scientist role in the Research and Development Department in my company. I have been given a two year study leave at the end of which I am to return to resume work.
VO: how long have you worked there?
Me: I’ve worked there for a year
VO: What does you company do?
Me: I work for Tope and Friends. We are an agricultural firm and farm that handles the production of agric products and our firm provides management consultation for agricultural companies.
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I applied to three, JMU, UCdenver, and DU. I was admitted to all the three schools.
VO: So why did you apply to two schools in Denver?
Me: Denver has a lot of people and startup companies migrating into that area including startup consultation agencies. My master's would give me the opportunity to be able to network with such people for my job back here in Nigeria and as it's the career goal of mine to establish my own environmental consultation agency here in Nigeria, this will give me the insight I need for how to successfully start and run such a company. Additionally, Denver also has a lot of outdoor activities like skiing and as I’ve never seen the snow, I'm very interested in that.
VO: So why did you choose UCdenver?
Me: I chose UCDenver for three major reasons.
1. UC Denver has a strong environmental science program and a specialization in environmental health, as well as an extensive curriculum. It is ranked in the top 5% of universities in the U.S.
2. The specialization and ongoing faculty research is highly beneficial and relevant to my company, as it is relevant to my transition to an environmental scientist position in my company's R& department. Added to that, the faculty member’s research on the impact of urban designs on natural disasters within an area, which sis beneficial to addressing the rise of such issues within our clientele.
3. Additionally, I spoke to some alumni and some faculty, and their experience, knowledge, and the passion for teaching let me understand that this is the perfect fit for me.
VO: How will you be funding your education?
Me: I'll be funding my education with a grant I acquired from Avocado Limited, which covers my tuition, books and health insurance and everything associated with my cost of living.
VO: What does your sponsor do?
Me: They are an agric produce company, which handles the production and transportation of agricultural products such as cashew, cocoa to areas of demand.
VO: What is your relationship with your sponsor/how did you come across them?
Me: I found out about the company through my mentor, who is my late father's former student. He pointed me in the direction of their CSR initiative, which funds underprivileged Nigerians who wish to further their studies in environmental and agricultural fields. I applied and was fortunate to win the grant.
VO: Have you traveled outside Nigeria? And have you been to Gaza.
Me: No I have not been outside Nigeria.
VO: Tell me your post-graduation plan
Me: After graduation, I aim to return to Nigeria and apply to transition to the role of environmental health scientist at my company. The degree, and current role conducting literature reviews and summarizing research, and internal insight into the needs of our clients qualifies me for an entry level position in that role. I also have the commitment of my employer, and I have the written study leave support letter here. Additionally upon my return I will collaborate with other scientists in the R& department to design and create a flood early warning system which will benefit our clients whose farms and infrastructure are regularly affected by flooding.
VO: (folds my I-20 and keeps it together with my passport). Your case requires additional processing, it will take about a week. Leave your social media accounts open for us and you don’t need to do anything else.
Me: Thank you. have a nice day.
VO: Thank you.

Efetobore1980:
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The ones you have mentioned are sufficient to do whatever the embassy wants to do regarding your personality vettings.

The U.S. government /embassy does not and cannot mandate the policy with force . therefore, applicants should not over emphasize this. Majority of social/privacy advocates are still disputing the policy in some courts of law as an infringement to your personal lives.

■■ Look at the policy (attached). It says pls adjust your privacy settings to the public in order for anyone to be able to see your friend lists etc. Like my personal Facebook, you cannot see my friends list if you are not my friend. This is the kind of settings the U.S. embassy wants you to do.

■ You do not have to bring the topic if the consular doesn’t bring it up and its your choice to indicate your social media or not. It does not add to or remove out of your visa chances.

However, If you are a citizen with no international or national sins or evil propaganda against your fellow human beings then it is better to be honest because if there is a way to use your photo or names in verifying your social media existence while you have refused to indicate it in your visa application (DS-160) then that will give you the label of a dishonest applicant. You do not have to mention everything and it does not affect your visa if you don't use social media.

Thank you very much

Chemist4life:
The most important aspect is the ideology you promote or support through your page. As long as it doesn't align with any political or religious extremism, or support terrorism, you should be fine. Additionally, some individuals who recently completed their interview were asked to update their DS-160 form with their social media accounts afterward.

Thank you so much

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