I was deported from the US for a minor issue… now I feel a lump in my throat when travelling abroad.

Madolline’s Journey: From a Frustrating Experience to Hopeful New Beginnings

Meet Madolline Gourley, a sunny spirit from Brisbane with an adventurous heart and a few travel hiccups under her belt. Like many dreamers, she harboured the desire for an escapade. Her sights were set on Canada, but echoed worries from a chaotic experience in the United States rattled her thoughts.

A Silly Situation Can Haunt You

Picture this: it’s 2022, and Madolline is on her way to sunny Los Angeles for what she hoped would be a charming pet-sitting getaway. However, her grand plans dashed when she discovered that her ESTA visa waiver had a catch. It turns out that taking care of someone else’s cat, with the perk of a free roof over her head, counted as work. Who knew a feline could stir up such trouble?

“The immigration officer had my travel history laid out like a flipbook,” she recalled. “Why the lengthy stay? Why was she back so soon?” Little did they know, her secret weapon was simply her knack for feline babysitting, all through a buttoned-up house-sitting site

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Hours later, Madolline found herself not sipping cocktails on the beach but heading back to Australia, her hopes dashed beneath the weight of a passport stamp that proclaimed she was “refused in accordance with INA section 217.” Ouch.

Facing Canada with a Heavy Heart

Fast forward to her Canadian adventure. The working holiday visa application had one unsettling question: “Have you ever been refused a visa or permit, denied entry, or ordered to leave Canada or any other country?” It felt like a heavy cloak she had to wear. Could she mention her US fiasco without throwing herself into a deeper pit of worry?

Gathering her courage, she crafted a thorough letter explaining her predicament. And guess what? It paid off! Two weeks later, an email arrived announcing her application status was all systems go. “It felt like winning the lottery!” she beamed, thrilled to have her two-year work permit in hand.

Ticking Boxes in Canada

Upon arrival in Canada, the immigration officer barely blinked an eye at her past troubles. “Just sit tight, and we’ll sort this.” Talk about a relief! In mere minutes, she had her work permit ready to roll, alongside directions for getting a Social Insurance Number—practically a golden ticket to working in her new adventure.

New Zealand — Round Two

She soon found herself hopping over to New Zealand excitedly, but that looming question again struck fear into her heart: “Have you been deported or refused entry anywhere?” With bated breath, she faced the scrutiny of the Kiwi immigration officer. Tension hung in the air like the smell of freshly baked pastries. After some probing, she was cleared to continue her journey.

Reflecting on Travel Woes

Madolline’s story serves as a reminder that travel isn’t always smooth sailing. A single moment can have rippling consequences, but with grit and honesty, it’s possible to navigate the tricky waters of visas and border control. With her sights now firmly set on the horizon, she embodies the spirit of exploration that lives within us all, urging everyone to embrace their adventures, no matter how tangled they might get along the way.

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