Based on experiences with the US visa application process, I wasn’t sure what was ahead of me with the UK student visa application. I was pleasantly surprised. The forms were short (no lawyer needed,) there was queue, the staff was courteous and the consul even waved at me from being the glass as if to say “welcome.” I paid the $170 and was told to come back in 2 hours. When I got my passport back I was informed that I’ll need to register with the local police within seven days when I arrive.
Compared to the hellish stories of applying to US visas, this was heaven. If you, or ones you know, ever gone through it post 9/11 you know what I mean. If you are an American, consider yourself blessed, and if nothing else, appreciate that you don’t need one :)
I maintain that living in a foreign country is a privilege, not a right. I dismiss any form of complaint from people who want to emigrate/visit a foreign country and complain about the process of getting or living there. I tell them that they had/have a choice, this is how things are and if they don’t like it, they can “ban” or leave that country. People like to complain about work, wife, government and whatever else. They often forget that in most cases the situation they are in is their own doing and they have the choice to do something about it. Perpetual complaining seems to be a quiescent state for many people when they forget that they are in charge of their own destiny.