Okay, the title isn't really fair. The two officers that came to speak with us personally at the college were very nice. The officer who helped us fill out paperwork for our residence permits at a workshop about a month ago was very patient, considering all of us were pretty overwhelmed with filling out the forms. I also, if you don't know this for some reason, plan on being a cop and understand no officer or department can be perfect.
I wrote about going to the police station before and for the past few weeks people I know have been getting called back to pick up their Estonian ID cards. I knew something was wrong when Shay, who went the same day as I did, got an email saying everything was approved and I still hadn't. Sure enough, I woke up to an email yesterday saying my proof of income I had submitted wasn't enough. This was very confusing to me since everyone else from my home university here submitted the same form I did and had no problems. It was a form given to me at the workshop by University of Tartu coordinators. It's not like they just throw papers at you, they know what you need. So I emailed back saying I didn't know why this was only a problem for me and not three other students. I also emailed Piret, the University of Tartu woman who has mostly been in charge of my studies here, and asked her if she knew why this would be a problem. She emailed back relatively quickly and told me it shouldn't be and she had talked to the police who should be responding to me soon that my proof of income was sufficient. I received an email from the police saying the income had changed from 160 euro to 180 euro since the new year but I had been grandfathered in.
Seriously Estonian police, seriously? Can you double check this kind of thing before you send emails scaring the crap out of someone? Before you delay someone's residence permit from being approved? You just throw these emails out there and then look into if the information is correct? YOU ARE THE POLICE. I expect you to be a little more on your game.
I emailed back very calmly, even though I wanted to include that last paragraph, and simply asked if they had approved my application and if I could go pick up my ID card. It's been over twenty hours and no reply.
I admit, I'm a little agitated for other reasons. Before I handed over my passport to apply for a Russian visa, I emailed the student coordinator of the Finland trip and asked if I would need my passport. We emailed back and forth a few times, and she then got word from the travel company saying I would only need my ID. I got an email from the travel company yesterday with a list of things we would need and one thing was passport/ID card. Just to check, I emailed the company to explain I do not have my passport and if my american drivers license would suffice. I also mentioned I have my University of Tartu ID card and a military ID card. They replied that my drivers license would not work and I needed an American ID card. I responded that I didn't know what this means and asked if they could explain what they meant by American ID card. No reply yet after over twenty hours.
So worst case scenario I don't get to go to Finland and Shayna's friend who would pay to take my place. There is a trip to Berlin/Prague that I would on instead later on. I'll just have to see if someone finally emails me back.
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