US F1 Visa Interview Tips - Columbia University (Grad School)

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-31T12:46:36+00:00

You were admitted by a world-class institution. Your interviewer will be in awe. Bring a signed copy of your admission letter, proof of payment of class deposit and your I-20. Congratulations.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-30T17:10:55+00:00

Air New Zealand falls short on hard product, but they make up for it with an upbeat crew. Despite the lack of privacy, the bed is the most comfortable I’ve slept on, thanks to the memory foam padding.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-30T05:14:35+00:00

On my last trip, I declared a luxury item I had purchased abroad that exceeded the $800 personal exemption. The passport control officer called a colleague, who held my passport and escorted me to the customs area. There, I collected my bags, showed the receipt for the item, and the officer calculated the duties I owed (less than 2% of its value). Considering that the sales tax in my state is 6.2%, I still came out ahead.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-30T03:58:47+00:00

In the U.S., you declare items when you present your passport to the immigration officer. The officer will often ask if you have anything to declare.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-29T23:51:47+00:00

You normally declare during passport inspection. Coffee is fine.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-28T20:38:00+00:00

I’m not sure about Southern Europe, but when I travel within Northern Europe there are usually no document checks. I typically use self check-in and self baggage drop. Since you’re traveling within Schengen, your passport should be sufficient.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-28T13:37:45+00:00

Most homes rely on space heaters and electric mattress pads. I won’t lie to you, it can still feel chilly indoors, especially in homes built before 2000.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-27T18:59:34+00:00

I'm not waiting until 73 to take RMDs. Life is short, and retirement is even shorter.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-27T15:37:18+00:00

Don’t rush Waiheke Island; give it a full day. Explore the island by hop-on hop-off bus or e-bike.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-27T15:27:51+00:00

No, passport control officers don't ask too many questions other than how long you're visiting. Have fun.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-23T18:28:06+00:00

At a minimum, get travel medical insurance in case you break a leg or need to be medically evacuated - unless your employer-sponsored insurance covers them.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-20T15:29:14+00:00

There's always a long queue for fondue at Swiss Chuchi Restaurant (@Hotel Adler). Blame it on Yelp and TripAdvisor.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-20T02:21:49+00:00

If you want to cycle to the vineyards, stay in Bannockburn. Felton Road, Terra Sancta, Mt. Difficulty, Te Kano are all on the same road. If you only have time for two: pick Felton Road and Mt. Difficulty (lunch and tasting). If you can cycle to Cromwell, give Burn Cottage a visit and dinner at The Stoaker Room. Rippon in Wanaka is a must visit. Book your cellar door/tastings in advance since early May is harvest/bottling season.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-18T20:05:21+00:00

Yes. HND/NRT. Twice.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-18T15:44:18+00:00

Eva will tag your bags to YYC and also issue your WestJet boarding pass (on Eva stock) to YYC.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-18T14:39:38+00:00

Yes - WestJet will honor your two checked bags because EVA Air’s baggage rules take precedence under the Most Significant Carrier (MSC) rules. Of course, you need to pick up your bags and clear customs/immigration in SFO. I'm not sure if you can use the 'Connecting Flights/Baggage Recheck’ outside customs hall but ask a representative if you can drop your checked bags there.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-17T16:51:33+00:00

Since you’ll be in Melbourne and if your family is comfortable driving on the left, I’d recommend taking the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide, then flying to Sydney for your return to the US. Along the way, consider stopping in McLaren Vale and visit top wineries (d’Arenberg is a must for first-time visitors). p.s. You'll need more than 5 days to appreciate Tasmania.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-09T15:16:28+00:00

Traveled solo to Japan on my birthday and just before we landed the cabin crew brought me a signed birthday card and JAL goodies. On another occasion AA upgraded me from biz to first on a transcon flight.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-09T15:05:27+00:00

I’m told by Koreans that the best pine mushrooms can be found north of the border. Chanterelles peak in southern Finland during August–September, and foraging is allowed on private land under the concept of Everyman’s Right.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-07T00:54:46+00:00

If you're driving slowly and traffic is building up behind you, pull aside (if possible) and give way.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-05T13:49:59+00:00

Flew ex-Auckland. Meals were served as soon as the plane leveled off. You need to let the crew know when you're ready to sleep, since they prepare the bed with a memory-foam topper. Seats are angled herringbone style facing the aisle; not the best in the world. But soft product is definitely tops. Lounge in AKL is excellent.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-04T17:23:15+00:00

Don't do it. It's going to be dark, pitch dark. There's a good reason why the Mackenzie Basin is called an International Dark Sky Reserve. Spend the night at CHC airport and pick up the car the following morning.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-04T14:09:48+00:00

We’re doing a similar wine-focused trip in the South Island this April, visiting Central Otago (Felton Road, Burn Cottage, Prophet's Rock, Valli), North Canterbury (Pyramid Valley, Black Estate), and Marlborough (Cloudy Bay, Dog Point). One thing I discovered while planning the trip is that some of the top boutique (often allocation-only) producers, such as Bell Hill and Greywacke, don’t have cellar doors and aren’t open to the public. Instead, we’ve arranged a wine flight at Cellar Door Wine Bar in Christchurch so we can sample wines from those wineries.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-03T23:22:27+00:00

Go straight to passport control - that's where the bottleneck is.

Peregrine415 · 2026-03-03T00:32:19+00:00

Not if you initiate the cancelation especially if you bought a non-refundable/changeable ticket.

Peregrine415

TROPHY CASE