Finally, I got a new student visa label on my passport. What a relief! The crisis has past in the end. This should be the biggest challenge I have come over since I arrived in Australia.

Because of the previous issues happened last year, I actually started my master course one year later. That’s why I need to extend my visa for another year.

Let me give my special case in more details:

My first Australian student visa was granted from 2007 to 30 Sep. 2009. It consists of an English language course and a 1.5 years master course.

In 2007, I came to Monash University English Language Centre to study my language course. The entire environment around me suddenly became all in English; I found it so difficult to adapt. However, I studied very hard and passed all the exams with a 100% attendance in 2008.

I cherish the opportunity to study in Australia. However, I was unwell after graduated from the language course. The staff in Monash suggested me to take an intermission and go back to my country. That is why I am one year late and need to renew my visa.

In the previous email from Monash, the student adviser said: “If you renew your visa when you are in Australia, you may do this in June or July 2009 after your results for Semester 1, 2009 is released.  This means that you will have a much better idea of how long it will take to complete your course and renew your visa accordingly.”

I came back to continue my master course study in February 2009, and worked really hard to pass all the units in the first semester. I finished all the exams in the end of June.

In 17 July, I got my result of semester 1: All pass and even a High Distinction! I was satisfied and started to work on renewing my visa after that.

I was given an instruction: STUDENT VISA RENEWAL INFORMATION in the office of Monash Caulfield campus. In the instruction, besides of the on-line application, there are 4 documents I need to provide: a new e-CoE, Academic transcripts, Overseas Student Health Cover, Medical examination and X-ray. I have finished all of them by the early August, including the on-line application.

In 19 August, the immigration department online system displayed: application fee received and application fee received.

In 21 August, a staff from immigration department told me that I need a new IELTS certificate for renewing the visa as I only have the academic transcript for the first semester, which is not over 51% of my course. Therefore, I should sit for an IELTS test as soon as possible.

I was totally shocked!! I am right in the middle of my semester, and then you ask me to take IELTS now?! I have finished my English Langrage Bridging Program at Monash in 2008, and I have done half of my second semester study in Monash University. Why the hell I need another IELTS test to demonstrate my English ability? That staff said the certificate of my English course is just for Monash but not for immigration department. (WTF?!) They only look at your IELTS. Then I asked how much I have to get in IELTS. The staff said:”5.5, easy!” Holy shit… I have got overall 6.0 in 2006 already, and they definitely know that because it’s recorded in their system. And now they ask for another 5.5?!? Does it make sense to you? It sounds like they just want your money from the test.

I immediately consulted with student adviser Erika, Kee Hung and Sam on campus, and they also asked me better try to find a place to take IELTS now. Personally, I really don’t want to take that stupid test. I guess no one wants to do that in the middle of the semester, with lots of assignments keep coming, which are much more time-consuming for an international student.

What’s worse, there is not any vacancy for IELTS until November in Melbourne. Therefore, there is no way I can provide an IELTS result for the immigration department before the date my visa expire… International Liaison Officer Anita even said:”There is no place in Melbourne, but there are some in Adelaide and Brisbane. Would you mind take a plane there and take the test?” >_<

This really drove me crazy. If I got refused, I have to go home without finishing my study…again… I could not sleep at night, I could not concentrate in the class at all… Blizzard announced the new expansion of WOW: CATACLYSM. It’s also the right word to describe my world.   

I guess I should stop here. No one wants to hear my grumble. Anyway, I finally solved the problem by myself. I always try to be sunny and happy this year. But when the disaster happened, was I still that positive? I want to be that kind of person: No matter how difficult the circumstance is, still keep confident smile.

What happens happens, stay positive!

Mention WOW, I want to announce formally: I have finally started my characters in American realm already. And now, my Death Knight has arrived in Northrend!!

My server details: The Horde in Oceanic region - Thaurissan  ^_^