EP.5: The Application Process (A pure adrenaline rush.)

In this episode, Jack breaks down the Camp America application process - what it’s really like, what to expect, and how to give yourself the best chance of getting placed. It's essentially an instructional podcast

From nailing the interview, navigating paperwork, timelines, and the all-important embassy visit, Jack shares his firsthand experience of applying and what he wishes he knew before starting. It’s all about taking that first step, staying patient, and trusting the process - even when it feels like a lot.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This probably won't go in. Did you know Embankment is the only station without the same mind the gap?

SPEAKER_04 0:05

Yeah, it's got that guy. The guy who passed away, it's so beautiful. Yeah, they changed it, and then the why stone. Then the wife um asked for them to bring it back or something because it was her husband that had passed away and she wanted to be able to hear it.

SPEAKER_00 0:22

That's adorable. And that was their local station. So they they put it on like just for that set of things.

SPEAKER_04 0:27

It's like a really old school sound. It's like Mind the Gap. Yeah, literally.

SPEAKER_02 0:31

Why is he Dracula from Sesame's Day?

SPEAKER_04 0:38

This is the Summer Camp Rookie, the podcast that's not just for camp counsellors. I'm Zoe and I've been to camp twice.

SPEAKER_02 0:43

And I'm George, and I've never been to camp. So if you're just sitting there and thinking, I don't know what any of these people are talking about, then that's okay because neither do I.

SPEAKER_04 0:50

If you know loads, you'll still learn something.

SPEAKER_02 0:51

And if you know yet all like me, then you're set. So let's just do it.

SPEAKER_04 0:54

Let's go.

SPEAKER_02 0:56

Hello, welcome. Welcome back to the podcast. Basically, if you've seen any of the episodes, then you'll see that it's, you know, it's been fun, it's been a laugh, it's been Jesus who've just been messing about and being frankly adolescent. This one's gonna be serious, this one's gonna be grown up, it's gonna be about real things that matter, and we need a serious grown-up to talk about it.

SPEAKER_04 1:11

No laughs in this episode.

SPEAKER_02 1:12

There's no laughs, doesn't matter. We need a serious grown-up to talk about it, but unfortunately he couldn't show up, so we're stuck with this.

SPEAKER_00 1:18

Well, yeah, I'm Jack. Uh work for Camp America for the past two seasons. Um I work in the applications department and also on the customer service phone. So if you ring in, um most likely you'll come through to me or someone else.

SPEAKER_02 1:31

But here's the sultry voice on the end of the phone, mate.

SPEAKER_00 1:34

The dull set tones. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

Beautiful. And what we're gonna be talking about today, Zoe.

SPEAKER_04 1:39

So today um is a slightly more informative um podcast. It's an instructional podcast. It's an instructional podcast, um, and we're basically talking about the camp maker application process.

SPEAKER_03 1:48

So Woo!

SPEAKER_04 1:51

Excited! What is the application process from when you first submit your application to when you head off to camp and what what's everything that comes in between?

SPEAKER_00 1:59

Shall I just freeball you inside things? That was the right word to use. No, probably not actually.

SPEAKER_02 2:06

Um basically lit on fire.

SPEAKER_04 2:12

We know that there's a lot of steps to the Camp America application process, and it can be really, really daunting for people because you know that you have to create your own online application, then you have to do an interview, then you have to go to the embassy, then you have to do your medforms, you have to do all of this stuff, and that can be like, holy crap, how the hell am I gonna get all of this?

SPEAKER_02 2:28

A lot of hoops that need to be jumped through. Sure.

SPEAKER_04 2:30

All ones that are really logical and they make sense once you understand the application process, and that is what Joe Joe.

SPEAKER_02 2:35

And no one understands it. You just go get out of the way. That is crazy.

SPEAKER_00 2:40

Are we just gonna jump into this now? We we can jump into it. We can jump straight in. What was the first one? We can dive in. For the camp newbie, what's the first question you want to know?

SPEAKER_02 2:48

Well, I mean, I suppose, given that this is more instructional podcast than uh previously, I think a good place to start would be at the very start. A very good place to start.

SPEAKER_00 2:56

Start at the very beginning.

SPEAKER_02 2:57

Start at the very beginning. What's the very first step, Jackie? So when you're applying to Camp America.

SPEAKER_00 3:01

As soon as you log on to the Camp America website, there is a big apply now button. All you need to do is hit that. We'll ask for like five minutes worth of information. It won't take ever so much time at all. Um, and then after that, you'll be asked to fill in. I really know feeling so much.

SPEAKER_02 3:16

I'm feeling more confident the longer I listen to it.

SPEAKER_00 3:18

Oh no. Um no, but the next bit then is you'll fill out your application. You basically need to think of this as a CV. So um this is what we show to the camp. So you need to put your best foot forward, um, make sure you're showing off all your good skills as well. Um, because that is what the camps are going to pick up on when they're looking over your application.

SPEAKER_04 3:34

So the basics of what you're tracking in your initial application is your basic details. First name, last name, email, all like your contact info, um, nationality so that we know where your passport is from for visa processing down the track, and then the like kind of nitty-gritty of of who you are. So you're giving us a bio about yourself, about your family, or telling us about any childcare experience you might have, any work history, any education history. You're submitting the application with the eventual goal of that going to camps and you want to show off your best self.

SPEAKER_02 4:04

It is a C V. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 4:05

That's what it is. Yeah, completely a C V.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

What kind of skills do you think people should put on?

SPEAKER_00 4:10

Uh just basically anything that they think camps are going to be looking for. So I mean um any higher experience, lifeguarding experience, waterfront experience, if you like are really good at kayaking, you know, definitely put that down.

SPEAKER_04 4:21

You want your your those really strong skills to come through, but not everybody has the lifeguarding and the waterfront experience. A lot of people are 18-year-olds who are just applying and really all they've done is go to school. Yeah, but that's fine. Show us like show us your school um history, like what you've been studying and all of that. But you may have had a part-time job, you may have done some babysitting, you may have been part of scouts, you may have done I don't know, like competitions you've entered, competitions you've entered, for sure. You may have been part of life guiding programs. You might like there's loads of things that you could have done even if you haven't had any work or like specific skill experience. We still want to see all of that. Yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_00 4:58

It's crazy what the camps will pick up on as well. Um things that people like miss as well are like videos, they're super important to put on your application. The camps are gonna get a real good feel for who you are as a person.

SPEAKER_04 5:09

Another bit that they want to see is who you are, and that's what's coming through in photos and videos.

SPEAKER_00 5:13

Absolutely, yeah, no, a hundred percent. So I mean obviously camps will look at your application on the merit of its application, um, but they're also gonna hire people for being people. Um that's who they're employing, so that's who they're interested in to look after their kids on camp.

SPEAKER_02 5:25

And in many ways, it's like any job interview because you know, like if you show two applications to a contractor or something, and they look at them, and there's one where you've got loads of like really attractive, like hireable skills, things that make you seem like really, really horrible, really good stuff, but they don't get a sense of who you are. And then you've also got someone who maybe doesn't have as strong a skill set as the people around them, but they come through really well in the videos, like their personality really shines through. More often than not, they're gonna go with the people I would imagine who are better people. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I mean, better people is probably not the best phrase, but no, but you know what I mean, like like sort of really put themselves out their sort of personality.

SPEAKER_04 5:59

Yeah, and it can feel weird to make a video. Um, I know I I didn't look forward to doing mine.

SPEAKER_00 6:04

So this is this is a little highlight of my job, actually. I get to see.

SPEAKER_02 6:07

We're gonna start Jack's video now.

SPEAKER_00 6:08

I get I get to see everybody's video. Yeah, they're pretty good. So there are some like no, they're they're all good, but there's some I wouldn't particularly be happy if they were mine, but let's put it that way. Um's the funniest one that you've seen. There's some like some of them just go on so much. Like, sorry guys, if yours is like 20 minutes long.

SPEAKER_02 6:29

There's some dude, there's some dude who's really proud setting up his 20-minute video who's now rocking back in the corner and crying.

SPEAKER_04 6:35

Guarantee no camp is watching a 20-minute long video. Well, I can't guarantee it, but I would highly assume that no camp is watching a 20-minute video.

SPEAKER_00 6:41

Like mine was four minutes, and I did it when I was um what was that? I must have been like 18, 19. I'm now 24. Looking back on it, I'm I cringe so badly.

SPEAKER_04 6:51

It's a miracle that we have when people start in the Camp America office. One of our favourite things to do is to have a look at their application before they're starting the office. Just have a sneaky look at what their video was like and see who are we about to work with. Um shout out to Colum who was on the very first um podcast. That one is is gold. And Katie Chadwick, also gold.

SPEAKER_02 7:15

Oh, I've never seen Katie's, that's crazy. We love Katie's. I love that, I love the water. And this is why I'm glad that I never had to do one.

SPEAKER_04 7:28

Oh, what's so funny? I was just having some water.

SPEAKER_00 7:30

We're just having some water. It's important to keep your mouth lubricated.

SPEAKER_04 7:37

The Juice of Lauren's just shut down.

SPEAKER_02 7:39

Like actually losing it. It's the end of the day, guys. So after you've done that and you've sent in uh sent in an application, we've all had a good laugh behind the scenes at the video, apparently. Or Jack is anyway. Then you have the interview process. Do you want to talk a little bit about the interview process?

SPEAKER_00 7:50

Interview process, really not as scary as you think. Um it's a genuinely pretty informal chat just to make sure that you are going to be the right fit for camp. Um, you'll get matched up with one of our interviewers, um, usually in your local-ish area.

SPEAKER_04 8:04

Um I don't think that actually happens anymore because it wasn't. Is it not? Oh, it definitely was when I did it. Yeah, but they were all online interviews. That was a long time ago.

SPEAKER_02 8:11

That was like near a pond. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 8:14

There were stories back in the day you used to go to people's houses and have interviews. Yeah, imagine if we still had to do the coffee shop.

SPEAKER_00 8:20

I heard that. That is great. Mine was just about online interviewers, but like I think it was still when it was like close by people, but obviously.

SPEAKER_04 8:26

But I think now it's um once you've created your Camp America application, you go online, you pay your £55 deposit, which is what gets you your um interview.

SPEAKER_02 8:33

So I know, sorry, I was just really enjoying the image of like someone just chilling out, and then there's like there's a knock on the door, and they open the door, and it's like Jack with a briefcase in Costco. Oh, I'm from Camp America, I want to go through the application.

SPEAKER_04 8:43

What actually happens is you once you've submitted your application, you pay your £55 deposit, and then you've got like a calendar that comes up on your Caprank profile, and you can select the interview that you want to do, and it happens online, so it's really convenient for you and for the interviewer as well. You don't have to find someone in your local area anymore.

SPEAKER_00 9:01

So that sounds a bit like find singles in your local area.

SPEAKER_02 9:06

We've done a few of these, and the dating app comparison keeps on coming up, and it's like getting fairly concerning. And I don't know if it's 100% brand safe.

SPEAKER_00 9:15

Yeah, we get matched up with an interviewer, get a zoom link. It's a tends to be a 45-minute-ish chat. Um, so just going over like what camp is, um, taking like a look over your application, making sure that that is as like good as it can be. Um, if the interviewers have got any particular top tips on like improving your application, they'll go over this with you on that interview as well. Um, so it's a really good way to just actually just reset, make sure everything's fine um with your application before we get processing and ready to go.

SPEAKER_02 9:44

It's at this point in the podcast where we try and make it slightly more entertaining, and we're gonna talk about see we can talk all the live long day about the stuff, the professional things that you need to put in your application, but there's also things that I'm sure you both, or I mean more specifically you have seen.

SPEAKER_00 9:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 9:56

That maybe would cause you to swerve the other way slightly.

SPEAKER_00 9:59

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_04 10:00

I I mean it's wearing pajamas to your interview, or just like just rolling out of bed, doing it on a train, doing it in like a shopping centre, um, what are some other silly things? I mean, it's what we said. Like you need to have a conversation.

SPEAKER_00 10:16

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I I mean it's it's pretty standard, like it's it's not super formal, so you don't need to come in like a shirt tie suit and everything like that. Definitely not. But um, you know, anything that would be weird. Yeah, it would, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:28

People are watching going, I don't I can't get anything right.

SPEAKER_00 10:30

No pajamas, no suit, what am I supposed to wear? Definitely not your birthday suit, let's put it that way. That would not be. Don't make the same mistakes that Jack did.

SPEAKER_02 10:41

Kicked open the door. Sorry, I'm gonna take my jacket off and I just want to make that known just for edit continuity purposes. Absolutely. Talk amongst yourselves.

SPEAKER_04 10:48

When I was working in the international team, we we actually, it wasn't one time, we had a record going for who the applicant who had the most skills, and I think we got up to 30 something skills.

SPEAKER_00 10:56

It's like crazy, right?

SPEAKER_04 10:57

Like amazing, good on you for having that many skills, but it's not necessary.

SPEAKER_00 11:00

It's also really difficult if you put so many skills on your application for a camp to actually distinguish what you want to do. Yeah, literally. So, like camps are gonna want to find skilled people in the roles that they want to put them in. And if you've got 30 on there, that's great that you're so skilled, but also the camps can have no idea what to hire you for. Um, which like can be good, but also we like recommend against it. Yeah, um just don't put don't put photos skills on there, because otherwise they'll read them and then they'll get too much and it'll full over.

SPEAKER_04 11:28

Equally, you don't want to have one skill on there where they look at it and go, Oh, all they can offer me is basketball. Well, I've already got a basketball cancellor. Yeah, I'm gonna move on.

SPEAKER_01 11:35

And then we've got like basketball. Yeah, we're in your basketball. On your bike.

SPEAKER_04 11:40

We've got enough. Dribble away. Dribble away.

SPEAKER_00 11:48

I don't know. I don't know where we were going with that. Got no idea. I've done that bit a bit too late. I'd like to miss the train then, but I don't want everyone to think I'm really boring. I'm not. We don't think you're boring.

SPEAKER_04 12:04

You know he is not boring. Do you know what?

SPEAKER_02 12:05

Just do a shot and then we can just get all this out of the way, just get this flowing. Pubcast mean. That could ruin us. That'd be fun. It's not gonna happen, it's not gonna get popped.

SPEAKER_04 12:15

I mean, none of us, none of us laptop by the Okay, so you've done your interview and then your entire application, including your interview report, comes to the Camp America team.

SPEAKER_02 12:24

Yep. Comes to us.

SPEAKER_00 12:25

Uh there's a little bit of us. No, not us. Yeah, so I want to make it abundantly clear.

SPEAKER_02 12:29

It's not us. We're not involved in an application process, we have nothing to do with the growing up stuff.

SPEAKER_04 12:34

I used to, and then they said no, no, no, take you out of there.

SPEAKER_02 12:37

You used to, and then you must have done something wrong, so then they sent you down to the basement with me to do this. Correct. No, okay. Okay, so like work with me. Like, let's all close our eyes. You've done it, you've done the application, you've sent it through, we've seen it. Jack's had a laugh at your video, it's all coming, everything's like solid. And then, and then after you've done that, what happens? Oh!

SPEAKER_00 12:56

But basically, what we'll do, uh, we will um basically more about a minute. Um, no, we'll we'll take a look over your application, get the little process in the office. It usually takes kind of a week to two weeks, depending on how many applications we've had that week. Um, that's just in the initial processing. Um, then we'll reach out basically again, just a fine-tooth comb like your application. Once that's sorted, we'll ask for the boring bits, so your references, um, a little bit more medical information sometimes, your police check. Um so they're really important to get sorted as soon as possible. Um, just because um if you do take a little while getting those bits sorted, it can actually put a big hole on your application.

SPEAKER_04 13:38

So basically your application is not showing to CAMP until until most of this process is done. And the the the later stuff, the medical checks and the um references and stuff like that, it doesn't necessarily have to be done. We can't have your application showing, but we do need your application to be done in full for us to be able to show it to camp. So you don't want to delay in anything that we're asking for because it's less time for you to be shown off to camp.

SPEAKER_00 14:01

Basically, when you receive an email from us, you should open it immediately and do exactly what it says.

SPEAKER_02 14:07

Exactly. That sounded threatening. Saying it right down the lens makes it sound threatening.

SPEAKER_00 14:13

Yeah, I I deal with it.

SPEAKER_02 14:15

Open the email and do exactly what it says. Uh I don't know about that. What are we gonna talk about now?

SPEAKER_04 14:23

So, wait, what's something what we need we need like a funny part to this? What's a funny thing that's happened? Christ, we need something funny.

SPEAKER_02 14:31

This is the most serious we've ever been.

SPEAKER_04 14:32

I know. Okay, so our applications team basically really want to give you the finger right now.

SPEAKER_02 14:38

Um You can have to tell us it out, look. We just put a box around it. Okay. Do whatever you want.

SPEAKER_04 14:45

Deep breath. Three, two, one. So our applications team processes your application, apply name, the applications team. Um, and you've done the um things that we've asked you to do, other than the big like medical form um and embassy and all of that, that comes down the line. But you've done the basics of your application, we're happy for you to be showing to camps that we think you put your best forward. What does it actually mean to be showing to camps? Because we know that terminology. Sure. What the hell does that mean for applicants?

SPEAKER_00 15:12

I think there's so much of that. Like, we'll speak to people and say just like terminology we know. Yeah, yeah. Because we obviously do it day in, day out, but like you guys might not actually realise what some of this stuff means. But I still don't. No, yeah, George has no idea.

SPEAKER_04 15:25

That's the point of the podcast. It was initially meant to be called George Knows Nothing, but he didn't like that.

SPEAKER_02 15:30

It was also meant to be called the Camp Virgin originally, but I shot that one down.

SPEAKER_04 15:33

That would have been good.

SPEAKER_02 15:34

That got that one done pretty quickly.

SPEAKER_04 15:36

Um it actually didn't, it was only George that shot it. Everyone else liked it.

SPEAKER_00 15:41

I've got a reputation to our pollen. So we actually have an office here in the UK, obviously in London. We have a team over in the States in um Stanford, Connecticut. Um, we also have an Australia office as well. Um Poland, Germany. Yeah, like literally all over the world.

SPEAKER_02 15:56

Don't forget that.

SPEAKER_00 15:57

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 15:58

Don't forget, shout out to Poland and Germany. We didn't forget them, but we haven't.

SPEAKER_04 16:03

We love you, Poland.

SPEAKER_00 16:04

We know you, we see. And all the other countries that we work with as well.

SPEAKER_04 16:07

The UK office, I mean, this is going on a tangent now. The UK office, we obviously look after the UK, but we also look after 30 other countries. This is true. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:13

When your application is ready to be shown to camps, as Zoe mentioned earlier, you don't know what that means. We do. It essentially means that your application will be shown to one camp at a time. Yeah. Um, if that camp really like you, they'll reach out and say, hey, we'd like to set up an interview. Um, so keep an eye on your email inbox or messages, like camps get in touch in all weird and wonderful ways. Carry a pigeon sometimes.

SPEAKER_02 16:37

Sometimes they write a note to a brick and they throw it through your window. Sometimes it's a smoke signal.

SPEAKER_00 16:43

Uh, but mainly keep an eye on your emails.

SPEAKER_02 16:45

That's that's the preferred method I've noticed.

SPEAKER_04 16:48

Your application is being hand-picked by one of our US team members, so they know that XCAMP is looking for a tennis instructor, and they will go in the system, look for all the people that have got tennis um skills, and then they will say, Hey, Jack's got amazing tennis skills, let's show him to this account. And they will then review your application. They will think, okay, perfect. We want to interview Jack, and I'll set that up. You'll say reserve with that camp until such a time as they decide to hire you, in which case you're going to be the place. Otherwise, if they decide that uh maybe they've just filled the position or you're not the right person for that camp for whatever reason, they will take you off reserve and then you will be shown to the next camp that's looking for a tennis instructor.

SPEAKER_00 17:25

The US team, the placements team, know really well what the camps are both looking for and also what the camp is like as well. Um so they'll know the ins and outs of the camps that they work with. So um they deal with the matchmaking side of things. Um it's not a day to such a good analogy. But it is, right? You're playing Tinder with your application account. Um like they're trying to try to send you to a camp that's gonna be a good match.

SPEAKER_04 17:53

Yeah, it's perfect. The camp will reach out to you probably via email and they will say, Hey, can we set up a Zoom call with you? And then yes, you've already had your Camp America interview, but now you need to have your camp interview. Yeah, um, and that one, it's gonna be really similar advice to a camp America interview, I would say. Yeah, pretty much. Just pretty fast foot forward.

SPEAKER_00 18:09

Also for that camp interview as well. Um, I know when I so I got reached out to by a camp online, that was how I got hired um for my first summer. Um I know like in the emails that the camp sent over to me, like it's actually really important to read those as well, guys. Um like before the interview, they sent me over. Read the emails. Read the emails. Um, they sent me over like uh an email with some information about like the interview process, everything like that. Um at the end of they sent over a little video to watch as well. It was like two minutes, not 20 minutes, guys, two minutes.

SPEAKER_02 18:38

Read your emails and don't make 20 minute videos.

SPEAKER_00 18:40

We've all got things to be doing. My specific camp um start their interview off with the camp like tagline. So our camp tagline for the camp I go to is one, two, three, four, we deserve colour war or something like that. Um the one, two, three, four bit, like that's how I opened my interview with my camp director, and that basically showed that I had watched the video. How did you open it? Uh I literally You just went one, two, three, four, hello, my name is Jack. I clicked on the link and then my director showed up, my now director showed up, and I went, one, two, three, four, we deserve, and they went colour war, and I was like, Yes, this is horrible.

SPEAKER_02 19:15

I always thought it was a winner. One, two, three, four, and I just hung up.

SPEAKER_04 19:21

It's just about showing who you are and being a good person.

SPEAKER_00 19:25

Yeah, it's one of the beauties of a diversity of camp, like nobody is the same, and everyone brings something like so unique to the table.

SPEAKER_04 19:31

That was the sweetest thing ever. I loved that.

SPEAKER_00 19:34

Yeah, I know, I'm pretty good at this stuff. Um, that affected you out of nowhere.

SPEAKER_04 19:38

Because it was just so beautifully. You cried! So the next part of the process is the one that people are probably the most nervous about. Oh, um the big daddy because it is quite scary. Um, you're kind of facing up against a government. Um, and that's the one.

SPEAKER_02 19:56

That makes it sound that makes it sound far more revolutionary than it is.

SPEAKER_00 19:59

You're facing up against a government, you versus the Department of State.

SPEAKER_04 20:03

The embassy process and getting your visa. So we are Camp America are your visa sponsor, but it is still up to an applicant to actually go to the embassy or to submit their online application for a visa and go to the um embassy and actually go to the big building. Yeah, yeah, it's a really cool building.

SPEAKER_00 20:22

Um, yeah, I remember my post for like an embassy appointment I had so they'll know what the entire job is. Honestly, and like actually honestly, it really isn't as bad as everyone makes out. Like, obviously, you've still got to get your ducks in a line, like you've got to make sure that you're prepared for the appointment. Yeah, yeah. But equally, as long as you do, it's nine times out of ten gonna be okay.

SPEAKER_02 20:44

Yeah, I imagine it's something that feels really like intermountable and scary in your head, but then when you get there, it's like yeah, I mean it can be a little bit overwhelming when you're in the building as well.

SPEAKER_04 20:51

I haven't done it here. Obviously, you did it in a little bit. Yeah, sure. Um, but you are going through lots of lines, a lot of security checks you're taking to multiple different people so it can be launching, but you've got to remember they're getting how many tens of thousands of canvas coming through every single day. It's not that they don't like it, but the big thing is that as soon as we tell you your DS2019 is available for you to print off, you need to get that printed. Um, and you need to start your uh DS160 application, that's right.

SPEAKER_00 21:21

So numbers and letters. I know, I know while DS160 and DS2019 being in the same visa application process is a crime for a start. Once your placement's confirmed, we will send you over a DS2019 form. Usually it takes about three to five days for us to draw that up, but it will just appear on your account. And then, yeah, as soon as that comes through, you can start your visa application process, which is obviously great news. So there's some instructions um listed on the visa tab in your application. Um so all you need to do is click into the how to apply link. If you just follow them through step by step, honestly, it'll take you through the whole process. Um, first of all, is to do your DS160 form. Um now. There are some quite specific answers on this, which you need to make sure you are getting right. Um so it is like quite imperative you follow the instructions.

SPEAKER_04 22:08

But the big thing that's been introduced this year has been questions about social media. I think that has been on the application in the past, but they're taking it quite seriously this year. So you need to make sure that you have listed every single social media account that you have even the things that you think are not considered social media, they do consider social media.

SPEAKER_00 22:23

Like what are some of the weird ones that Snapchat, WhatsApp, Reddit or some of the things that are like Snapchat?

SPEAKER_02 22:28

I deleted Snapchat when I was like 15.

SPEAKER_04 22:30

Yeah, Snapchat's pretty big in the CAD community. Really? I even had it for a few months.

SPEAKER_00 22:36

I have it at the old age of 24.

SPEAKER_04 22:39

So they've also changed the rules this year to say that you cannot change your DS 160 within a certain amount of hours.

SPEAKER_00 22:44

Yeah, basically. So 72 hours or three working days before your appointment, they'll lock down. That sounds such a big word for something that isn't they'll basically lock the information on your appointment to make sure you can't go back and edit it. So essentially you need to make sure you're getting your DS 160 right.

SPEAKER_04 23:03

Um you can redo it before the first three days, you can redo it as many times as you need to, it's just when you read that three days.

SPEAKER_00 23:10

Um they'll lock the information.

SPEAKER_04 23:12

But basically, what the um visa application process is is once we release your DS 2019, you go online, create your DS 160 application. But once you've done that application, you use the DS-160 number that you've been given to book your embassy appointment. And then on the instructions that we've given you that it has helped you do your DS 160, there'll also be instructions on there and also from the Department of State of what you need to bring to your embassy. So you need to make sure you bring those specific things that can chop and change a little bit, but it's gonna be a copy of your DS 160 application, it's gonna be approving your ties back to the country, it's gonna be a photo.

SPEAKER_00 23:47

This is the bit if this doesn't already sound scary, it does start to sound a little bit scary now. Yeah, there's about 10 documents you need to bring along. Um, I I mean I won't go through them all because you know when you're applying, you'll you'll get a list of this, but um we'll be here all day. We would be here a long, long time. The key things really are obviously we've had people forget their passport. Obviously, I think that's quite an easy one to to remember, but obviously, yeah, bring along your passport, your DS2019 form, you need your DS160 confirmation page, yeah. You need your service R901 form and I love how you just said that you weren't going to go through the list and actually. And I know I am starting. Yeah. Well, that's only four things of the ten you need. The rest you can make up.

SPEAKER_02 24:27

Sign away your firstborn.

SPEAKER_00 24:29

So you rock up to the building, you'll get security checks. You rock up to the gaff. Yeah, you rock up to the gaff in nine hours.

SPEAKER_04 24:36

You probably do have to arrive a bit early because this line for security can be quite long.

SPEAKER_00 24:39

Yeah, we recommend at least half an hour in advance. Um, I literally have my embassy appointment tomorrow. I'm booked in for half nine. I'll probably no, sorry, half ten, I'll probably be getting there for like half nine, ten minutes.

SPEAKER_04 24:49

And if it's raining, bring an umbrella.

SPEAKER_00 24:50

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 24:51

Because you are out of the rain.

SPEAKER_02 24:52

In the immortal words of Rihanna.

SPEAKER_00 24:54

That was a terrible, that was a terrible cookie. Um that was a terrible mistake I made my first year. Like it was absolutely chucking it down. And I went, I genuinely think probably in this genre.

SPEAKER_02 25:06

Um so sorry, can I just clarify? I don't think Rihanna had the lyrics, and you should probably bring an umbrella because the word umbrella was in it.

SPEAKER_04 25:13

Um then you're not sneaking, guys.

SPEAKER_00 25:16

I don't think I am actually. I actually don't think I am gonna save it. As soon as you talk about it, guys.

SPEAKER_04 25:20

Um so you go through the embassy application.

SPEAKER_00 25:25

No, it's gone. Just carry on. If I sneeze, I sneeze. So might happen might not. Just like you're not. But just try and keep your guns on your toes in case you fall asleep.

SPEAKER_02 25:38

Wake up, Jack might sneeze. You never know. You never know.

SPEAKER_04 25:43

Um so once you've finished up at the embassy, the likelihood um is that the embassy will probably keep your passport. Yeah. That's a good sign. Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02 25:51

If they keep your passport, they're not a pack of thieves, they're not just holding it and be like, oh, give me a pack.

SPEAKER_04 25:55

If they don't keep your passport and there are any question remarks about what happened, give us a call. Yeah. After um you leave the embassy, you'll know what's what the next steps are. Depending on um how you set up your application with the embassy, you will either go and collect your passport, which I think in London is in mailboxes, etc.

SPEAKER_00 26:13

in Hoburn.

SPEAKER_04 26:14

In Holburn, yeah, that's the one. Hoban.

SPEAKER_00 26:16

Just rattle that off. I say Hoban.

SPEAKER_04 26:18

Hoburn.

SPEAKER_02 26:19

I say Holburn.

SPEAKER_00 26:20

Well, I think uh the lady on the tube says Hoban.

SPEAKER_02 26:22

Oh, I mean if the lady on the tube said it, then that's great. Yeah, I think it's a good thing. Wait, some random lady on the tube or just some random lady was just talking and you heard her say Hoban. Doris.

SPEAKER_04 26:30

Doris. Doris and Dorothy. Doris and Hoban.

SPEAKER_02 26:32

This has nothing to do with anything. So I got explicit. Sorry, I'm still thinking about this old lady on the tube that Jack seems to have a relationship with.

SPEAKER_04 26:41

They just talk about Hoban. Um no, so you're your passport. Unless you've got Camp America stuff to do, and we will keep reminding you if you've got things to do, um, you're pretty much ready to go to camp.

SPEAKER_02 26:53

Unless you're an insane criminal, you're done and you're ready to go. It's a big process, man. It is. It's a big process with a lot of stuff and a lot of hoops to jump through. But and here's the thing it's a lot, and it might seem big and it might seem scary, but A, you've got him at the end of the phone, so you're always fine, sort of. And then once you get out of that, you're in Camp America, mate, and you're having a bloody lovely time. You're still with us, we're doing quick fire questions, man. I'm late in as well, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 27:15

This is like a ball. Like French toast or American pancakes.

SPEAKER_00 27:19

French toast.

SPEAKER_04 27:20

Top bunk or bottom bunk.

SPEAKER_00 27:22

Top bunk.

SPEAKER_04 27:23

Cabin or tend.

SPEAKER_00 27:24

The cabin.

SPEAKER_04 27:25

The backpack or suitcase.

SPEAKER_00 27:26

Backpack.

SPEAKER_04 27:27

Grawed cheese or chicken tenders.

SPEAKER_00 27:28

Chicken tenders. Camera.

SPEAKER_04 27:35

Camp uniform or no uniform.

SPEAKER_00 27:38

Cam uniform.

SPEAKER_04 27:42

Walmart or target.

SPEAKER_00 27:45

Walmart.

SPEAKER_04 27:46

Camp chant or camp song?

SPEAKER_00 27:50

Neither. I like camp song.

SPEAKER_04 27:51

Colour war or camp olympics.

SPEAKER_00 27:54

Colour war?

SPEAKER_04 27:55

General counselor, activity specialist.

SPEAKER_00 27:57

Activity specialist?

SPEAKER_04 27:58

Horse riding or jet skiing? Jet skiing. I'm really Jag horse riding. Chips Ahoy or Oreos. Oreos. American football or soccer.

SPEAKER_00 28:07

Soccer.

SPEAKER_04 28:07

Kool-Aid or Gatorade.

SPEAKER_00 28:10

Gatorade. That really looked like it took a lot of time.

SPEAKER_04 28:14

I feel like it was like you were you were struggling to figure answers, but it was the most important thing.

SPEAKER_00 28:18

I was really making sure I got those right. That flawed me, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 28:22

Alright, brilliant. I feel like that wraps it up. Amazing. Thanks, Jack. Thanks for coming in. Some of the most coherent things I've ever heard you say. It has been a pleasure.

SPEAKER_00 28:30

Um obviously we're all on the end of the phones. If any of you guys have any questions, we're here 9 30 till 5, Monday to Friday. Give us a shit.

SPEAKER_04 28:38

And that's why he's in the customer support game, because look how kind he is.

SPEAKER_02 28:41

I just feel so comforted and so at ease, and it's amazing. I've understood a grand total of not much that's been said, but I feel like you've got to be.