Help, changing schools!

Julie Duhon · Oct 15th, 2004, 16:55

Hello! I came to India on a one year student visa to study at a school where I started to have some personal problems with staff. So, I found another school and decided to switch there (the name of the original school is not on my visa). However, due to rising tensions I left my first school earlier than expected... and before I had obtained the correct documents from my new school (and the person at the new school who issues these documents is currently away, will be back next week). When I left I thought I had everything under control, but one of the staff members decided to come back with a vengeance and has called the police.
So I will be reporting to the district superintendent of police on monday... Hopefully I will have at least a letter of admission from the new school here. Does anyone know anything about such matters. I am a law-abiding person, I have never had problems with the police before. But, the fact of the matter is, I left my school (though I made sure they knew where I was) while my residence was still registered there, so they decided to call and say "she's gone!" even though it's a matter of days before I will have the necessary letter from my new school!
I'm worried. Thinking about it makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Any advice would help!
Julie
P.S. If it is useful information, I am in Kerala

chappal · Oct 16th, 2004, 07:09

Julie, I am not in a position to give advice on this, but since no-one else has...

First of all, how long have you been in India and what are you studying?

Do you have anyone to accompany you to the police station? -- Someone who will help speak for you and serve as a credible character reference. Preferably someone from your school.

When I need to discuss something complex or emotional it helps me write down a 1pg max. summary of my points. Would it help to make this a letter/statement which you bring to station -- just stating the facts and briefly your reasons for changing schools?

Would it be useless to contact the U.S. embassy and ask their advice?

Those are all the ideas I have at the moment. Best wishes.
I hope someone gives you better advice.

crvlvr · Oct 16th, 2004, 07:50

Julie,

Looks like all you need is a letter of admission form the new school. It would be better if a representative from the new school coould accompany you..

STUDENT VISA: (Valid for the period of study in India). Multiple-entry visas are given to bona fide students to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions in India. A letter confirming admission from such an institution along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application. In case of admission in medical or paramedical courses in India, a letter of Approval or No objection certificate from the Ministry of Health, Government of India, is also required. Similarly, for admission to graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering/ technical institutions in India, a letter of approval or a No objection certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education) is required.

rohan5577 · Oct 16th, 2004, 09:51

Hi Julie,

This is a sad sitution but at times the people in India simply complicate things.

I am Indian and would give you the recomemendation based on my understanding of things. Firstly Kerela is one of the better places as far as law and order is concerned. Police should not heckle you as long as you have a genuine problem. Explain the events and things to the DSP (police) in writing and in person, be sure to get a stamped acceptance of your case from them. You can simply ask them to recieve it on a photocopy. Second ask the new school to give you a letter ASAP. You have not mentioned what you are studying, it would be better if I knew that. Don't get presurrised under anything coz the fault is no way yours. If the staff misbehaved you have full right to retaliate. Second if the Police gives you a problem, simply walk in to the Police Commissioners office and ask for an appointment, before that be sure you have the name of each official you dealt with.

I am not aware of the visa rules for International students in India, so can't comment on that. But if my intuition is correct, there are no restrictions on changing schools.

If they still give you problems contact the American High commission, nearest to you is in Chennai.

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/

I am sure you will get all the assistance that you need.

Good luck and in case you need any more infor, feel free to email me.

Rohan

Julie Duhon · Oct 18th, 2004, 21:45

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help and suggestions... in the end, the staff member who had called the police cooled down over the weekend and I was able to sort everything out today at the police station (with the help of a letter from my new school). Now I have to go the the police station where my new school is located and re-register/transfer my residence there. I don't think it will be a problem.
Phew! I'm glad that is over!
Julie

Oct 15th, 2004, 16:55	#1
Julie Duhon Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: USA Posts: 5	Help, changing schools! Hello! I came to India on a one year student visa to study at a school where I started to have some personal problems with staff. So, I found another school and decided to switch there (the name of the original school is not on my visa). However, due to rising tensions I left my first school earlier than expected... and before I had obtained the correct documents from my new school (and the person at the new school who issues these documents is currently away, will be back next week). When I left I thought I had everything under control, but one of the staff members decided to come back with a vengeance and has called the police. So I will be reporting to the district superintendent of police on monday... Hopefully I will have at least a letter of admission from the new school here. Does anyone know anything about such matters. I am a law-abiding person, I have never had problems with the police before. But, the fact of the matter is, I left my school (though I made sure they knew where I was) while my residence was still registered there, so they decided to call and say "she's gone!" even though it's a matter of days before I will have the necessary letter from my new school! I'm worried. Thinking about it makes me feel sick to my stomach. Any advice would help! Julie P.S. If it is useful information, I am in Kerala Last edited by Julie Duhon : Oct 15th, 2004 at 16:56. Reason: noted typo

Oct 16th, 2004, 09:51	#4
rohan5577 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dubai--for now Posts: 267	Advice Hi Julie, This is a sad sitution but at times the people in India simply complicate things. I am Indian and would give you the recomemendation based on my understanding of things. Firstly Kerela is one of the better places as far as law and order is concerned. Police should not heckle you as long as you have a genuine problem. Explain the events and things to the DSP (police) in writing and in person, be sure to get a stamped acceptance of your case from them. You can simply ask them to recieve it on a photocopy. Second ask the new school to give you a letter ASAP. You have not mentioned what you are studying, it would be better if I knew that. Don't get presurrised under anything coz the fault is no way yours. If the staff misbehaved you have full right to retaliate. Second if the Police gives you a problem, simply walk in to the Police Commissioners office and ask for an appointment, before that be sure you have the name of each official you dealt with. I am not aware of the visa rules for International students in India, so can't comment on that. But if my intuition is correct, there are no restrictions on changing schools. If they still give you problems contact the American High commission, nearest to you is in Chennai. http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/ I am sure you will get all the assistance that you need. Good luck and in case you need any more infor, feel free to email me. Rohan __________________ You can take a man out of India, but you can never take India out of a man!

Oct 18th, 2004, 21:45	#5
Julie Duhon Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: USA Posts: 5	Thanks! I just wanted to thank everyone for their help and suggestions... in the end, the staff member who had called the police cooled down over the weekend and I was able to sort everything out today at the police station (with the help of a letter from my new school). Now I have to go the the police station where my new school is located and re-register/transfer my residence there. I don't think it will be a problem. Phew! I'm glad that is over! Julie

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Oct 16th, 2004, 07:09	#2
chappal Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 143	Julie, I am not in a position to give advice on this, but since no-one else has... First of all, how long have you been in India and what are you studying? Do you have anyone to accompany you to the police station? -- Someone who will help speak for you and serve as a credible character reference. Preferably someone from your school. When I need to discuss something complex or emotional it helps me write down a 1pg max. summary of my points. Would it help to make this a letter/statement which you bring to station -- just stating the facts and briefly your reasons for changing schools? Would it be useless to contact the U.S. embassy and ask their advice? Those are all the ideas I have at the moment. Best wishes. I hope someone gives you better advice.

Oct 16th, 2004, 07:50	#3
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,667	Julie, Looks like all you need is a letter of admission form the new school. It would be better if a representative from the new school coould accompany you.. STUDENT VISA: (Valid for the period of study in India). Multiple-entry visas are given to bona fide students to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions in India. A letter confirming admission from such an institution along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application. In case of admission in medical or paramedical courses in India, a letter of Approval or No objection certificate from the Ministry of Health, Government of India, is also required. Similarly, for admission to graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering/ technical institutions in India, a letter of approval or a No objection certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education) is required.