Though my overall experience with the interviewers...

Though my overall experience with the interviewers was good and they were very helpful with the process, the security guard was the most demeaning, rude and ill-mannered person I have ever come across in my life.

Just because I reached 5 minutes before the 4pm deadline to collect my passport and didn't have a photocopy of a document, I was abused and shouted at by him. Not once did I raise my voice and pleaded with him to help me with the paid photocopy machine which was stuck for some reason (despite me entering the coins in it). Instead of helping me, the guard abused me and asked me to F**K off and get out of the consulate.

I also work at a consulate and we never treat people the way he did. I just calmly told him that I was shocked at their behavior and they would never expect this kind of treatment from someone from my country. To this, the guard shouted again and asked me to get out of the consulate and ridiculed my country in a very demeaning way.

I couldn't believe someone could talk to me in such condescending way and couldn't control my tears. The french are known for their mannerisms and this has left a very bad taste and am little apprehensive about my trip now.