Jay Honeck schrieb:

We had a French fellow do that
here last spring, well before the run-up of the Euro; it makes even
more sense now.

except for all the loops one has to jump through like fingerprinting,
visa (!), etc.
for a visa you have to show up in person at the embassy (earlier one was
able to do that by mail, BTDT), this costs you at least 1 day (including
"interviews"). for a student visa you need a M1, but if you go Part 61
the flight school is not able to issue the required papers (and you have
to chose your flight school beforehand, changes are close to impossible
now, BTDT, too). Then you need the fingerprinting and the flight school
has to report you to the government/FAA. Each involved party in this
process, including the immigration officer can make your plans go south.
Then - not flying related - you have to deal with the new sentiments
against foreigners.

So to sum it up: Canada or South Africa are a very good alternative.

#m