To whom it may concern,

My name is Calum Syers. I have been educated to a Masters Degree level (Film
Studies at Oxford Brookes University) and I am hopeful to travel and stay in America
for longer than a visa-waiver ESTA can allow. I am wondering if there are any
opportunities to travel (and I am also wondering what visas would allow for such a
thing) for any form of extended travel; either for work or some form of study.
To give a little more context to my situation, I am currently in a relationship with a
woman from Los Angeles whom I met two years ago and we are very much in love.
Regrettably, while I would love to begin the K1 visa process, my situation and visa
eligibility makes that currently an impossibility. I, of course, intend to start that
process, but I am hoping there are opportunities to work in the United States, or
perhaps something akin to a gap year which I could utilise to either find supportive
academic work or other fields of endeavour where I could contribute to American
culture for a longer stay than the current visa programme allows (I have looked at the
J1 visa summer programmes, but I was hoping there was something longer)
My final ambition, apart from marrying the love of my life is to contribute to the
economy of the United States and, eventually, to become an American citizen. I have
an encyclopaedic knowledge of American film and culture, indeed, my final thesis
was focused on American Politics in post 9/11 Cinema. My tutors at Oxford Brookes
would be happy to provide references of both my academic and personal credibility.
I am looking for any sort of advice or help I can pursue. Can you suggest anything
that may assist my enquiry? I currently work as an administrative officer at
Canterbury Christchurch University. Of course, if the only suggestion you can make
is that I wait for when I am able to apply for the K1 visa, then I can accept that, but
any help would be appreciated.
Best regards,
Calum Syers