So, I took this awhile ago, while it was still sunny in England, but here is a very short tour of my dorm room at my University. Sorry for the mess and the shaky camera...video is not really the format I'm used to! Regardless...I hope you enjoy!
Travels with Duffy in Search of Myself.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Weird Funk + Coursework = No Blog Posts :(
It's been a month since my last post. I'm very sorry to my few (possibly only) reader that I have been so inconsistent and utterly lazy with my lack of posts and updates. I have taken pictures and videos I have meant to post, and just never gotten around to it. I have found myself to be in a weird "funk", if you will, while here. I love England, and haven't found too much of a culture shock here, and while I'm sure that culture shock is contributing to my odd mood as of late (or at least, I feel like it should be a cause), there are lots of other reasons to my odd mood as well. For one, my best friend came to visit me from the States for a week, and ever since she left, England hasn't been the same. After traveling and exploring with her, and having someone that is so easily to get along with, I really miss sharing my experiences with someone who is as excited about traveling and learning about a different culture as I am. For another reason, I am also growing worried with what to do after I graduate. I know this is a concerning question for everyone at the end of their college years, and even for a few years after, but the dread of finding a substantial job that can pay for my rent, of working towards a career-oriented job, and facing the bad economy and lack of jobs in the States at the moment, I have a small fear of returning to the U.S. Not that I don't miss friends and family there, and not that I want to stay in England for forever (I am probably still in a honeymoon faze with this country), but I feel that there is not much back for me in the States...and while that isn't entirely true, the dread I have of facing my future makes me reluctant to go back.
Partly due to this weird funk, I have gotten behind in school work. I am usually a fairly-hard working student, but while here, I haven't had the motivation I usually find I have with school. I am still eager to learn, and when in class I appreciate what we are discussing, but outside of class, I don't have the will-power to make myself study instead of hanging out in the kitchen with my flatmates, or avoiding social events to study (which I am more prone to do back home).
So, with being in a weird mood, and always catching up with my schoolwork, I have put this blog as a low priority, for which, I am sorry, both for my readers, but also for myself, for I won't have the best record of my experiences here.
Things you can expect to see, if I ever get to working on and editing them, are a short video tour of my room, a video of the bus ride from the Uni into the city centre, and pictures from my latest travels to London, Cromer, and Amsterdam! All is to come...hopefully sooner and with more frequency!
Partly due to this weird funk, I have gotten behind in school work. I am usually a fairly-hard working student, but while here, I haven't had the motivation I usually find I have with school. I am still eager to learn, and when in class I appreciate what we are discussing, but outside of class, I don't have the will-power to make myself study instead of hanging out in the kitchen with my flatmates, or avoiding social events to study (which I am more prone to do back home).
So, with being in a weird mood, and always catching up with my schoolwork, I have put this blog as a low priority, for which, I am sorry, both for my readers, but also for myself, for I won't have the best record of my experiences here.
Things you can expect to see, if I ever get to working on and editing them, are a short video tour of my room, a video of the bus ride from the Uni into the city centre, and pictures from my latest travels to London, Cromer, and Amsterdam! All is to come...hopefully sooner and with more frequency!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Norwich Cathedral
So, Norwich has two cathedrals in the city. One is smaller and newer (built in the 1800/1900s?) but the other one is older (1096 is when the foundation stone was laid out). I went on a tour of the Norwich Cathedral on the 4th of October and it was absolutely breath taking! I am not a religious person by any means, but the arhitecture was gorgeous, and all the history that had passed through its walls was well worth learning about on the 1hour+ tour. I cannot recount the history acurately of the church, but if you go to their website, they have a timeline you can scroll through if anyone is interested:
http://www.cathedral.org.uk/historyheritage/timeline-timeline.aspx
I thought I would, yet again, show off the cathedral with some of the photos I took. Hope you enjoy :)
http://www.cathedral.org.uk/historyheritage/timeline-timeline.aspx
I thought I would, yet again, show off the cathedral with some of the photos I took. Hope you enjoy :)
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| Entrance to the Cathedral. |
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| Norwich Cathedral! |
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| The organ. |
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| Obviously, I am a little obsessed with this ceiling! But it's so beautiful, how could one not be? |
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Day Trip to Cambridge
Wow, totally behind on updating, sorry about that guys! I have been very busy catching up on my schoolwork and reading, and the outcome has been neglecting this blog...hopefully I can remedy this in the future! I'm going to try to pick at least one day a week to update my work....Wednesday might be the best day, but we'll see how it goes!
Anyway, on October 1, my school organized a big day-trip to Cambridge. They provided buses to get us there, and then we got to go on guided tours. The history of the town was amazing! They have buildings that were used in the medieval ages, and are still working today, and the history is still growing with various scientific discoveries and some of the "artwork" that is there (well, it's a clock, but it could be considered a type of performance art piece).
I took lots of pictures on this trip, granted, not very good ones, but they are probably the best way to go through highlights of my experience in Cambridge!
Punting! In Cambridge they have these canals, and you can pay to go on boat tours. It's kind of like the gondolas in Italy, except it's called punting. It's supposed to be a great way to see the city. I didn't do this because I wanted to walk around the city, but I'd love to go back and try it someday!
Which brings me to the bridge in the background of the above and below picture, it supposedly has no nails in it, it is held together by some physics/science logic that I can't understand, but still pretty interesting.
The book lover in me was delighted when I found out that the (supposed) oldest bookshop in Europe was in Cambridge! It's the Cambridge University Press Bookshop. Books used to be printed here, but now I think it is just a bookshop, (though I could be wrong). I did go inside and buy some mementos for family back home, of course, but knowing the history of it made it really special :)
There is a lot of academic history around Cambridge (obviously due to the college). They have a large number of Nobel Prize winners (I believe over 50) and they are very strong in the sciences. One of the famous discoveries related to the University is the discovery of DNA in 1953. (The announcement of this discovery was made at The Eagle, which I'll get to later...)
One of the great things about Cambrdige (and England, in general) is the architecture! Especially for the Uni. there. I only saw Queens' and King's college, didn't see much of the rest of the Uni, but the buildings for King's College are just absolutely gorgeous! Our guide said that the church was finished first, since the king who donated the building was very devout, which I find interesting since in my mind, a school's first priority is to be a school, but I guess life always depends where the money comes from.
Now to the Corpus Clock (which I am officially in love with!). It was built in 2008. The grasshopper on the top references the grasshopper mechanism found in watches. The grasshopper walks along the top of the clock, his mouth opening and closing to represent eating away at time. The clock shows time with blue LED lights that light up the various holes on the watch. The grasshopper speeds up and slows down, and the clock is only accurate every 5 minutes to show us the time is relative. Also, it's said it was designed with a coffin behind the clock, and that chains are dropped into the coffin, to remind us that after our time here, we all end up in the same place.
In Cambridge there is an old church (I believe it is called St. Mary's) that lets tourists climb up it's narrow tower to see Cambridge from a bird's eye view. It was a couple pounds to go up, but totally worth it! Especially since I went on such a lovely day.
And finally, my favorite the the (personally) most memorable part of my trip to Cambridge: The Eagle. It was an inn & pub during the medieval era, and is still around as a pub today. It's been around for so long that there is a lot of history to it. Part of it (one room) is supposedly haunted by these children who died in a fire (a long time ago). They couldn't get the window to their room open and sadly passed away. The pub has to keep the window open, no matter how cold it gets, otherwise it is said that you can hear the screams of children at night. (It's sad, but an interesting ghost story). It is also where the discovery of DNA was announced. and, my favorite, it has a bit of American history tied in with it's past. Not that I came to England to experience American history, but I just honestly didn't expect to find any here. In WWII it was a RAF (royal air force) bar, but also was a place where a lot of American troops would go for food, drinks, and to try to forget about the war. One day, an American troop stood up on a chair, and using a match stick wrote his name into the ceiling of the pub. After he did it, lots of other troops started doing it as well, using matches, lighters, and their girlfriend's lipstick. (While I find it a little sad that, of course the American's deface someone else's property,) I also found it oddly comforting to know that so many Americans had passed through these doors, and had found a safe place to stay and relax or catch up with friends. The ceiling still has all of the signatures on it, and it makes for an interesting piece of history. I'd recommend going to anyone who gets the chance (I also had my first authentic Fish n' chips there...and it was very good so definitely try the food!)
Well, I best be off, I'm already late for a society meeting since I got so carried away with this...hope you appreciated some images and a bit of history from Cambridge!
Anyway, on October 1, my school organized a big day-trip to Cambridge. They provided buses to get us there, and then we got to go on guided tours. The history of the town was amazing! They have buildings that were used in the medieval ages, and are still working today, and the history is still growing with various scientific discoveries and some of the "artwork" that is there (well, it's a clock, but it could be considered a type of performance art piece).
I took lots of pictures on this trip, granted, not very good ones, but they are probably the best way to go through highlights of my experience in Cambridge!
Punting! In Cambridge they have these canals, and you can pay to go on boat tours. It's kind of like the gondolas in Italy, except it's called punting. It's supposed to be a great way to see the city. I didn't do this because I wanted to walk around the city, but I'd love to go back and try it someday!
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| This is obviously the job all the college kids get stuck with. |
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| It's the white building in the middle. |
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| Lab where DNA was discovered. Supposedly some rooms are still radioactive from experiments done a few years back. |
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| I apologize for my SLR's lens bending the buildings...anyway, the church is on the left, and the entrance is on the right. | Just gorgeous! |
Now to the Corpus Clock (which I am officially in love with!). It was built in 2008. The grasshopper on the top references the grasshopper mechanism found in watches. The grasshopper walks along the top of the clock, his mouth opening and closing to represent eating away at time. The clock shows time with blue LED lights that light up the various holes on the watch. The grasshopper speeds up and slows down, and the clock is only accurate every 5 minutes to show us the time is relative. Also, it's said it was designed with a coffin behind the clock, and that chains are dropped into the coffin, to remind us that after our time here, we all end up in the same place.
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| Love! |
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| Tower that I climbed up. |
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| Inside of church. |
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| Narrow staircases I had to climb up... |
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| ...but the view is totally worth it! |
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| King's college to the left. |
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| Lame, but totally reminded me of the song "Out There" from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame! |
And finally, my favorite the the (personally) most memorable part of my trip to Cambridge: The Eagle. It was an inn & pub during the medieval era, and is still around as a pub today. It's been around for so long that there is a lot of history to it. Part of it (one room) is supposedly haunted by these children who died in a fire (a long time ago). They couldn't get the window to their room open and sadly passed away. The pub has to keep the window open, no matter how cold it gets, otherwise it is said that you can hear the screams of children at night. (It's sad, but an interesting ghost story). It is also where the discovery of DNA was announced. and, my favorite, it has a bit of American history tied in with it's past. Not that I came to England to experience American history, but I just honestly didn't expect to find any here. In WWII it was a RAF (royal air force) bar, but also was a place where a lot of American troops would go for food, drinks, and to try to forget about the war. One day, an American troop stood up on a chair, and using a match stick wrote his name into the ceiling of the pub. After he did it, lots of other troops started doing it as well, using matches, lighters, and their girlfriend's lipstick. (While I find it a little sad that, of course the American's deface someone else's property,) I also found it oddly comforting to know that so many Americans had passed through these doors, and had found a safe place to stay and relax or catch up with friends. The ceiling still has all of the signatures on it, and it makes for an interesting piece of history. I'd recommend going to anyone who gets the chance (I also had my first authentic Fish n' chips there...and it was very good so definitely try the food!)
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| The haunted room is in the upper right hand corner, where the window is open. |
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| RAF - Royal Air Force |
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| The ceiling with the names of American troops from WWII! |
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| Me, looking very tired but happy in front of the Eagle! (Sorry for the exposure on this, it hasn't been edited.) |
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
First Week
Well, I definitely haven't been updating this as much as I should. Sorry about that for any of you reading who might be interested. I figured I'd do a quick update now, but do a real post in a few days.
The University hasn't given us much time to do our own things. There were lots of events and introductions to the Uni, so much so that it was hard to get basic shopping for my flat done (in fact I still need to go grocery shopping...) It's been good they have so many events, as ti's definitely helped to keep me from feeling too homesick, but it's also been frustrating to be unable to do things on my own/for myself.
On the topic of homesickness and culture shock...haven't had too much of it yet. I find the differences more interesting than anything else, though I have been homesick for a few things...friends and family, obviously. And my wide collection of shoes I have back home that I couldn't pack with me. I don't miss the food back home, but I'm also a bit tired of the food on campus....again, I need to grocery shop so I can eat more of what I want to eat.
Most of everyone I've met has been very friendly, eager to hang out. The freshers and other international kids in my flat are very nice, which is good.
I don't love how hot it is here at the moment...I know I'll soon regret saying this, especially when it is raining and snowing all the time, but I did not bring any summer clothes, so the heat (esp. in my flat) has been almost unbearable...but I just tell myself it's nothing like Southern California.
As for lectures and classes, I've only have one so far. And it was very, very intimidating. It is Early Medieval European History...which I know basically nothing about. We're covering the late 200s to the 900s...and as I am not a history person, and I am in a class with lots of history majors...it will be a very long term for me! I already feel behind on my reading as I know I will get loads more (especially from my Lit class tomorrow), and I wonder if I will ever be able to be as social as I hoped to be. Right now this semester seems like it'll be spent at my desk or in the library. Hopefully I can find a decent balance. (I'm also hoping that I'll be able to focus more once my room/the temperature calms down....but again, we'll see).
I know I should have updated this sooner, and I feel as though I'm missing out on capturing and remembering all the experiences I've had thus far, but I've just felt so busy, and when I have time I feel tired or lazy (like right now, though I am forcing myself to type this up!). Hopefully I will find a groove I can fit into and go with before too long. (And hopefully I don't fail my history class!)
The University hasn't given us much time to do our own things. There were lots of events and introductions to the Uni, so much so that it was hard to get basic shopping for my flat done (in fact I still need to go grocery shopping...) It's been good they have so many events, as ti's definitely helped to keep me from feeling too homesick, but it's also been frustrating to be unable to do things on my own/for myself.
On the topic of homesickness and culture shock...haven't had too much of it yet. I find the differences more interesting than anything else, though I have been homesick for a few things...friends and family, obviously. And my wide collection of shoes I have back home that I couldn't pack with me. I don't miss the food back home, but I'm also a bit tired of the food on campus....again, I need to grocery shop so I can eat more of what I want to eat.
Most of everyone I've met has been very friendly, eager to hang out. The freshers and other international kids in my flat are very nice, which is good.
I don't love how hot it is here at the moment...I know I'll soon regret saying this, especially when it is raining and snowing all the time, but I did not bring any summer clothes, so the heat (esp. in my flat) has been almost unbearable...but I just tell myself it's nothing like Southern California.
As for lectures and classes, I've only have one so far. And it was very, very intimidating. It is Early Medieval European History...which I know basically nothing about. We're covering the late 200s to the 900s...and as I am not a history person, and I am in a class with lots of history majors...it will be a very long term for me! I already feel behind on my reading as I know I will get loads more (especially from my Lit class tomorrow), and I wonder if I will ever be able to be as social as I hoped to be. Right now this semester seems like it'll be spent at my desk or in the library. Hopefully I can find a decent balance. (I'm also hoping that I'll be able to focus more once my room/the temperature calms down....but again, we'll see).
I know I should have updated this sooner, and I feel as though I'm missing out on capturing and remembering all the experiences I've had thus far, but I've just felt so busy, and when I have time I feel tired or lazy (like right now, though I am forcing myself to type this up!). Hopefully I will find a groove I can fit into and go with before too long. (And hopefully I don't fail my history class!)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I made it!!!
So, after almost 2 days of traveling, I have finally made it to England!!! And it was no easy feat...well it was, thanks to modern technology, and being able to travel in 2 days instead of 2 months or so, but I did have a few problems of my own, especially with my luggage. For any of you who don't know, I'm diabetic, and thus require a lot of medication to go away to live for the year. (I don't even have enough for the year), but when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. One of my carry-ons was dedicated to medication, with the occasional random small electronic item crammed in-between it all. I had a lot of trouble fitting this bag into the overhead bins as all my medication, plus some of the papers I needed made the bag just too tall to fit into the bins. Luckily, one of the nicer flight attendants gave me a plastic bag to alleviate space which helped with my dilemma. Flying with so many meds. was still nerve-racking nonetheless (especially when your life depends upon safely transporting all you can carry). Anyway, as stressful and difficult it was to fit the required bag sizes, my medications and luggage made it safe and sound!
Now to this beautiful country! England - at least, based upon the view from the plane ride and what little I have seen of the town I am in - is gorgeous. This town is so quaint, and picturesque. The houses look adorable, most made of brick. And the land is so green! Being from CA (especially the desert that is Southern CA) I'm used to brown grass, brown hills, brown everything that is foliage. Even in the winter, it gets a decent shade of green for about a month - then starts its browning phase again. The green here is such a deep, rich color. I don't know if I've seen anything like it in person before. Another thing I noticed was the smell - cow shit. And I don't mean this in a negative way. The scent here, in the slightly humid air, is almost a nice characteristic, adding a new flavor to the air to mix in with the smell of fires in fireplaces at night :) ...Then again, perhaps I'm biased because I'm used to (once again, SoCal) where you drive along the highway, and it smells like the (smoggy but) warm, California air and then WHAM! : Cow Shit. Here it does not override any original smells, nor does it just completely choke out any fresh air for miles around. In a very odd way, it's kind of endearing. Though I'm sure I'm also just in love with the new & the different.
That's it for the moment I guess...I should be off, re-packing and showering before I move in to my dorm tomorrow (I'm staying at a hotel for the night.) I will update once I get situated into my room...or until something exciting happens. 'Til then :)
Now to this beautiful country! England - at least, based upon the view from the plane ride and what little I have seen of the town I am in - is gorgeous. This town is so quaint, and picturesque. The houses look adorable, most made of brick. And the land is so green! Being from CA (especially the desert that is Southern CA) I'm used to brown grass, brown hills, brown everything that is foliage. Even in the winter, it gets a decent shade of green for about a month - then starts its browning phase again. The green here is such a deep, rich color. I don't know if I've seen anything like it in person before. Another thing I noticed was the smell - cow shit. And I don't mean this in a negative way. The scent here, in the slightly humid air, is almost a nice characteristic, adding a new flavor to the air to mix in with the smell of fires in fireplaces at night :) ...Then again, perhaps I'm biased because I'm used to (once again, SoCal) where you drive along the highway, and it smells like the (smoggy but) warm, California air and then WHAM! : Cow Shit. Here it does not override any original smells, nor does it just completely choke out any fresh air for miles around. In a very odd way, it's kind of endearing. Though I'm sure I'm also just in love with the new & the different.
That's it for the moment I guess...I should be off, re-packing and showering before I move in to my dorm tomorrow (I'm staying at a hotel for the night.) I will update once I get situated into my room...or until something exciting happens. 'Til then :)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Leaving the States...
Well, it is the night before I began my 1 day & a half journey to England. (It's going to take a long time due to long layovers, etc.) Anyway, as I've been stressing to try to fit every last thing I forgot into my bags, I haven't had much time to realize what I am about to do: start on a year-long adventure to a new town, in a new country that I've never been to before. As I type this I'm starting to get nervous about going to a new school, having to start all over to make new friends, having to learn my way around a new city, etc, but I've been so busy packing and worrying about flights, and I don't even feel that I know what I am getting myself into. I mean really...part of me feels slightly crazy to force myself into new, uncomfortable situations by taking myself out of the comfort-zone I've turned SF into. However, I know I need a change, a new perspective (both on life and on myself) and something different to change up my mind-set - hopefully for the better. I need a new challenge, so I can get a new vantage point on my life, and hopefully what I want to do once I'm done with college, or even just gain new things to take into consideration with my life.
Anyway, I am kind of rambling. I still have packing to do, I need to shower, and I should have been in bed by now, which is why my mind and thoughts are not very coherent at the moment. But my last day of packing turned into a last day of goodbyes to good friends, so everything has been left until the last minute (including my sister finishing the last few button-holes on a new jacket she has been making me for the colder weather! - Pictures to come :) )
One thing I have been thinking about, besides my packing and flights, is the loss of naiveté I'm about to lose. I partly have no idea what I'm getting myself into because I've never been abroad before, I've never left the country, and once I get on that international plane, that will be changed for forever (not that that's a bad thing!) Anyway, it's weird. It reminds me of coming to SFSU my freshman year and moving into the dorms and not really knowing anyone, but instead of visiting the campus first, having my parents help to find the school, and starting a slow, but hectic process of moving my stuff into my room with my family's help - I'm heading off by myself. I'm honestly starting to get a bit nervous. But it's a good nervous feeling too. I haven't really been pushed into a new situation like this in awhile. Sure, I've been pushed academically, and challenged by frustrating people and roommates, and meeting someone new is almost always a new experience since one person can be so different from the next, but nothing this...big of a change. And as nervous and stressed and anxious as I am...I can't wait, because I know I need this experience, good or bad.
Well...goodbye States! See you in a few months! And hello England!
Anyway, I am kind of rambling. I still have packing to do, I need to shower, and I should have been in bed by now, which is why my mind and thoughts are not very coherent at the moment. But my last day of packing turned into a last day of goodbyes to good friends, so everything has been left until the last minute (including my sister finishing the last few button-holes on a new jacket she has been making me for the colder weather! - Pictures to come :) )
One thing I have been thinking about, besides my packing and flights, is the loss of naiveté I'm about to lose. I partly have no idea what I'm getting myself into because I've never been abroad before, I've never left the country, and once I get on that international plane, that will be changed for forever (not that that's a bad thing!) Anyway, it's weird. It reminds me of coming to SFSU my freshman year and moving into the dorms and not really knowing anyone, but instead of visiting the campus first, having my parents help to find the school, and starting a slow, but hectic process of moving my stuff into my room with my family's help - I'm heading off by myself. I'm honestly starting to get a bit nervous. But it's a good nervous feeling too. I haven't really been pushed into a new situation like this in awhile. Sure, I've been pushed academically, and challenged by frustrating people and roommates, and meeting someone new is almost always a new experience since one person can be so different from the next, but nothing this...big of a change. And as nervous and stressed and anxious as I am...I can't wait, because I know I need this experience, good or bad.
Well...goodbye States! See you in a few months! And hello England!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Goals for Studying Abroad
So, these are my goals for studying abroad! Some are kind of obvious things to do in England or when in Europe, while others are completely unrealistic but, as they say, aim for the stars, right? I'll probably update this list again come winter break, with new goals/things I've done since posting this, but this is my preliminary list of what I want to do during my year abroad.
Goals for Going Abroad
1. Go to: Italy, Norway, Scotland, Germany, Ireland, & Spain. (I want to go to more countries than this, but these are the countries I really want to make sure I visit!)
2. Go to Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris and (obviously) buy a book there :)
3. Go to Disneyland Paris!!!
4. Go to the Alhambra in Spain. It's a really beautiful palace that was built on a budget, but it's gorgeous, and I'd love to go and see it in person :)
5. Try a new food once a month, starting with Fish & Chips! (Well, okay, I've had Fish & Chips before, but what I've had here in the U.S. will definitely not be as good as the real thing.)
6. Try to do something new once a month - whether going somewhere new, trying something new, etc. I know this is kind of vague, but I want to see what my opportunities are once I get there.
7. Write (creatively) 4 days a week.
8. Take a photo at least once every week/make an effort to spend one day every week or two taking pictures.
9. Buy fashion/sewing magazines for mi hermana. She has been kind enough to start on making me a really nice, high quality jacket for my time in England (I'll post pictures here or a link to her sewing blog once it is done!). As a way of paying her back, we agreed I would buy her foreign sewing magazines, like Knipmode and Burda.
10. Buy cute underwear & bras in Europe! - They are probably better quality/structure than what we have in the U.S. anyway.
11. Join at least 1 club on campus.
12. Look for volunteer/internship opportunities while in England.
13. Make a travel blog (done) and continue to update it.
14. Try to see the Lady Macbeth beatle dress:
15. See a show at the Globe Theater!
16. Visit a lot of art galleries while in Europe. I don't want to do this on overkill, but I'd love to take advantage of the historical art Europe has to offer :)
17. Watch "The Hour"...no idea what it is about, but it's supposed to be really good.
18. Send lots of postcards to my friends and family!
19. Experience a haunting! Don't laugh (too much)...I'm actually a huge fan of SciFi channel's Ghost Hunter's and Ghost Hunter's International, and I'd think it'd be interesting to experience a ghost haunting/the paranormal. (This goal kind of falls under the unrealistic category though, haha.)
20. Make-out with Matt Smith of "Dr. Who". When I told my friend and "roommate-for-life" Maggie that Matt Smith is an alum of the University I'm going to, she requested that I make out with him. While I realize this is probably the most unrealistic goal on this list (that even my chance of seeing him in person is slim-to-none), I figured I'd add it anyway, just for fun. I'd also like to take this time to say that I personally prefer David Tennant, but I'd have no complaints or objections about snogging Matt Smith either ;)
Goals for Going Abroad
1. Go to: Italy, Norway, Scotland, Germany, Ireland, & Spain. (I want to go to more countries than this, but these are the countries I really want to make sure I visit!)
2. Go to Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris and (obviously) buy a book there :)
3. Go to Disneyland Paris!!!
4. Go to the Alhambra in Spain. It's a really beautiful palace that was built on a budget, but it's gorgeous, and I'd love to go and see it in person :)
5. Try a new food once a month, starting with Fish & Chips! (Well, okay, I've had Fish & Chips before, but what I've had here in the U.S. will definitely not be as good as the real thing.)
6. Try to do something new once a month - whether going somewhere new, trying something new, etc. I know this is kind of vague, but I want to see what my opportunities are once I get there.
7. Write (creatively) 4 days a week.
8. Take a photo at least once every week/make an effort to spend one day every week or two taking pictures.
9. Buy fashion/sewing magazines for mi hermana. She has been kind enough to start on making me a really nice, high quality jacket for my time in England (I'll post pictures here or a link to her sewing blog once it is done!). As a way of paying her back, we agreed I would buy her foreign sewing magazines, like Knipmode and Burda.
10. Buy cute underwear & bras in Europe! - They are probably better quality/structure than what we have in the U.S. anyway.
11. Join at least 1 club on campus.
12. Look for volunteer/internship opportunities while in England.
13. Make a travel blog (done) and continue to update it.
14. Try to see the Lady Macbeth beatle dress:
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| Worn by Ellen Terry in 1888 |
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| Made of 1,000 beatle wings - don't worry, the beatles naturally shed their wings :) |
15. See a show at the Globe Theater!
16. Visit a lot of art galleries while in Europe. I don't want to do this on overkill, but I'd love to take advantage of the historical art Europe has to offer :)
17. Watch "The Hour"...no idea what it is about, but it's supposed to be really good.
18. Send lots of postcards to my friends and family!
19. Experience a haunting! Don't laugh (too much)...I'm actually a huge fan of SciFi channel's Ghost Hunter's and Ghost Hunter's International, and I'd think it'd be interesting to experience a ghost haunting/the paranormal. (This goal kind of falls under the unrealistic category though, haha.)
20. Make-out with Matt Smith of "Dr. Who". When I told my friend and "roommate-for-life" Maggie that Matt Smith is an alum of the University I'm going to, she requested that I make out with him. While I realize this is probably the most unrealistic goal on this list (that even my chance of seeing him in person is slim-to-none), I figured I'd add it anyway, just for fun. I'd also like to take this time to say that I personally prefer David Tennant, but I'd have no complaints or objections about snogging Matt Smith either ;)
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| Matt Smith from "Dr. Who" |
Saturday, August 20, 2011
"Your UK visa has been issued." - A Guide to Submitting a Visa Request
"Your UK visa has been issued."
Those may have been the best words I've ever read. I, like a few of my fellow students going into the same study abroad program, have had some trouble understanding the visa process, and successfully applying for one. Thankfully, I just recieved word via email that my visa has been issued. This couldn't have come at a better time since if it had been rejected, I may not have had enough time to fix my mistakes, and re-apply for a visa before my program starts. And without a visa, I'd have a very hard time getting into the country to study for a year. So I'm sure you can imagine my relief and joy when I found out that I am now officially allowed by the government to enter their country and to stay there for a year!
So, I figured I'd go over the general process just in case anyone out there reading this is attending a similar program, and is confused as well.
Step 1 - Apply online
Since I am studying abroad for an academic year, and not one semester, I had to apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa (this is also the visa to apply for if you plan on working, or if you might extend your stay over 6 months). You first need to apply online for a visa at: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/
For this you just need your personal and family's information, and a credit card to pay the application fee (around $400 after you convert the fee from pounds to U.S. dollars). It would also be a good idea to wait to apply until you have your CAS number, but I don't think I needed it at this part of the application. Also make sure you print a copy of this application as you will need it later!
Step 2 - Biometric Data
Right after you finish your application for the visa, you need to schedule an appointment to have your biometric data taken. There should be a link/connection to a local office that can do this once you've finished the online application. When you go to this office, you must have your passport and your appointment booking confirmation notice (you will need to print this out after the initial application as well). (Note: My local office did not allow any cellphones, cameras, or recording devices in the building. They did not ask me if I had any or check my bag, but it'd be better not to have it with you, If you do need it for safety reasons, make sure you turn it off before you enter and don't play with it even if you're bored while waiting in line.) This part is pretty easy - you go in, tell the guards what you're there for, then wait until an attendant can see you. Then they take your fingerprints and a picture of you, and take some of your information. When I went, I wasn't given any more information on the visa process, but it might be a good idea to ask if they have any papers/information on it, since I've heard some students mention that they were given information pamplets.
Step 3 - Mailing Your Documents
This is the part where I got confused. I mailed my biometric data form to the British Consulate in New York, but nothing else. I kept waiting to hear back about the next step, and then realized that I should have sent everything together in one big package. On one hand, it was good I sent the biometric data form in early, since I've read that the information expires within 28 days (I could be incorrect about the details on that though). When I finally realized I hadn't even submitted the main part of the visa application, I panicked and tried to get everything I needed within a few days, and then rush ordered the package to the Consulate. So - learn from my mistakes - send everything at once, right after you get your biometric data taken.
What to Send:
1) A copy of your initial online visa application (print this out once it has been completed, and make sure you sign and date it).
2) Passport. Yes - your real passport. This freaked me out too, but this is just their process. Make sure this is signed as well.
3) Appendix 8 Document. This needs to be filled out and completed. To fill this out, you will need some personal information, as well as information about your school. Most of the info is provided with the CAS number, but I had to get some information online. If you scroll down this page, you can find a link that you let you download a copy of the Appendix 8 document: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs
4) CAS Number. Just make a copy of the initial CAS document you recieved (usually recieved by email).
5) Letter of Acceptance to your host university.
6a) Bank Statement. In order to study abroad for a year, you must prove you have sufficient funds in advance to show you can afford to live in England. This part of the visa application was a shock to my family and I, since we rely on financial aid to help pay for school. I wish my study program at my home school could have given a bit more of a heads up about this part, but they were surprisingly hands off for the entire visa process. The amount of money you must have depends on if you will be living in London or not, and what the recommended living cost is for the part of the country where you will be living. You must have this money in the account for about 28 days in order to prove that the money is legitimately there.
6b) Parent's Note and Birth Certificate. If your parents are helping to pay your expenses to study abroad, you must have a signed note from them saying they will help, as well as a copy of your birth certificate to prove you are their child.
7) Passport photos. You must include passport quality photos for the Consulate so they can put a photo into your visa. You need two identical copies of a recent passport photo. The required size for the British Consulate is 45mmx35mm, but I included two that were the size of US standard passport photos (2inx2in) and they were deemed acceptable. The following site also has some useful information about the photos: http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/photo.aspx Make sure the photos are of good quality or they could be rejected.
Optional:
1-Housing acceptance letter. I included mine to help confirm I was a student living in the dorms, but this is not necessary.
2-Home University Official Transcripts. I did not include these. I'd sent some to my host university during the school's application process, so I didn't feel these were necessary at this point.
3-Home University Tuition Receipt. This depends on whose tuition you will be paying - whether it be your home school's or your host school's. I did not include this, but said on the Appendix 8 form that I had sufficient funds and that I held evidence to them.
4-Previous Passports. This one might be necessary, but since I did not have any, I did not submit them.
Send the visa package to where it was ask to be sent (usually the N.Y. British Consulate). Send all the information asap, in case you are required to re-submit your application for any reason. I would put a tracker on the package since you are sending your original passport to them. If you have submitted everything that was required, they will send you an email saying that they received your package, and that it is ready for review. If it is approved, then you will receive another email in about 1-2 weeks that it has been issued.
Other Issues
I do not know the extent of these situations, but I have heard that people have had problems applying for the visa if 1) the money in their bank statements had not been there for the required period (28 days), no matter how much money you have in the account. 2) If you have had any trouble with the law (even minor infractions) you must provide some evidence that any and all legal situations have been settled, are no longer going on, etc. Again, I don't know all the details about this kind of situation, but if this applies to you, be ready to provide extra evidence/supporting documents during the visa process. 3) Providing poor quality photos for the visa. Just go and get pictures taken at your local pharmacy or wherever you can find that provides them and you should be fine. My pharmacy even offered to retake them if they weren't accepted, which (despite my time crunch) was reassuring.
My list may not be complete, so if you are applying for a visa, it'd be a good idea to check with various visa and government websites (most of which I found unhelpful and frustrating, but it's always better to get your information straight from the horse's mouth). And for those of you not applying for a visa...well, sorry if this was long and boring, and hopefully you skimmed and/or skipped over most of this.
Important Resources
These are some important websites, but you really need to dig around the websites to find out the information you are looking for:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/
http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Prepare/Cost.htm (More information about living costs for different parts of the country.)
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/other-locations/ny/
Also, this site (from another blogger who is embarking on the same program) also has a detailed list of how to apply for a visa, and what to include. Her site helped me a lot when I was applying, so it'd be a good idea to check her's out as well: http://larybray.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/shouldnt-i-be-nervous/
Those may have been the best words I've ever read. I, like a few of my fellow students going into the same study abroad program, have had some trouble understanding the visa process, and successfully applying for one. Thankfully, I just recieved word via email that my visa has been issued. This couldn't have come at a better time since if it had been rejected, I may not have had enough time to fix my mistakes, and re-apply for a visa before my program starts. And without a visa, I'd have a very hard time getting into the country to study for a year. So I'm sure you can imagine my relief and joy when I found out that I am now officially allowed by the government to enter their country and to stay there for a year!
So, I figured I'd go over the general process just in case anyone out there reading this is attending a similar program, and is confused as well.
Step 1 - Apply online
Since I am studying abroad for an academic year, and not one semester, I had to apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa (this is also the visa to apply for if you plan on working, or if you might extend your stay over 6 months). You first need to apply online for a visa at: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/
For this you just need your personal and family's information, and a credit card to pay the application fee (around $400 after you convert the fee from pounds to U.S. dollars). It would also be a good idea to wait to apply until you have your CAS number, but I don't think I needed it at this part of the application. Also make sure you print a copy of this application as you will need it later!
Step 2 - Biometric Data
Right after you finish your application for the visa, you need to schedule an appointment to have your biometric data taken. There should be a link/connection to a local office that can do this once you've finished the online application. When you go to this office, you must have your passport and your appointment booking confirmation notice (you will need to print this out after the initial application as well). (Note: My local office did not allow any cellphones, cameras, or recording devices in the building. They did not ask me if I had any or check my bag, but it'd be better not to have it with you, If you do need it for safety reasons, make sure you turn it off before you enter and don't play with it even if you're bored while waiting in line.) This part is pretty easy - you go in, tell the guards what you're there for, then wait until an attendant can see you. Then they take your fingerprints and a picture of you, and take some of your information. When I went, I wasn't given any more information on the visa process, but it might be a good idea to ask if they have any papers/information on it, since I've heard some students mention that they were given information pamplets.
Step 3 - Mailing Your Documents
This is the part where I got confused. I mailed my biometric data form to the British Consulate in New York, but nothing else. I kept waiting to hear back about the next step, and then realized that I should have sent everything together in one big package. On one hand, it was good I sent the biometric data form in early, since I've read that the information expires within 28 days (I could be incorrect about the details on that though). When I finally realized I hadn't even submitted the main part of the visa application, I panicked and tried to get everything I needed within a few days, and then rush ordered the package to the Consulate. So - learn from my mistakes - send everything at once, right after you get your biometric data taken.
What to Send:
1) A copy of your initial online visa application (print this out once it has been completed, and make sure you sign and date it).
2) Passport. Yes - your real passport. This freaked me out too, but this is just their process. Make sure this is signed as well.
3) Appendix 8 Document. This needs to be filled out and completed. To fill this out, you will need some personal information, as well as information about your school. Most of the info is provided with the CAS number, but I had to get some information online. If you scroll down this page, you can find a link that you let you download a copy of the Appendix 8 document: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs
4) CAS Number. Just make a copy of the initial CAS document you recieved (usually recieved by email).
5) Letter of Acceptance to your host university.
6a) Bank Statement. In order to study abroad for a year, you must prove you have sufficient funds in advance to show you can afford to live in England. This part of the visa application was a shock to my family and I, since we rely on financial aid to help pay for school. I wish my study program at my home school could have given a bit more of a heads up about this part, but they were surprisingly hands off for the entire visa process. The amount of money you must have depends on if you will be living in London or not, and what the recommended living cost is for the part of the country where you will be living. You must have this money in the account for about 28 days in order to prove that the money is legitimately there.
6b) Parent's Note and Birth Certificate. If your parents are helping to pay your expenses to study abroad, you must have a signed note from them saying they will help, as well as a copy of your birth certificate to prove you are their child.
7) Passport photos. You must include passport quality photos for the Consulate so they can put a photo into your visa. You need two identical copies of a recent passport photo. The required size for the British Consulate is 45mmx35mm, but I included two that were the size of US standard passport photos (2inx2in) and they were deemed acceptable. The following site also has some useful information about the photos: http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/photo.aspx Make sure the photos are of good quality or they could be rejected.
Optional:
1-Housing acceptance letter. I included mine to help confirm I was a student living in the dorms, but this is not necessary.
2-Home University Official Transcripts. I did not include these. I'd sent some to my host university during the school's application process, so I didn't feel these were necessary at this point.
3-Home University Tuition Receipt. This depends on whose tuition you will be paying - whether it be your home school's or your host school's. I did not include this, but said on the Appendix 8 form that I had sufficient funds and that I held evidence to them.
4-Previous Passports. This one might be necessary, but since I did not have any, I did not submit them.
Send the visa package to where it was ask to be sent (usually the N.Y. British Consulate). Send all the information asap, in case you are required to re-submit your application for any reason. I would put a tracker on the package since you are sending your original passport to them. If you have submitted everything that was required, they will send you an email saying that they received your package, and that it is ready for review. If it is approved, then you will receive another email in about 1-2 weeks that it has been issued.
Other Issues
I do not know the extent of these situations, but I have heard that people have had problems applying for the visa if 1) the money in their bank statements had not been there for the required period (28 days), no matter how much money you have in the account. 2) If you have had any trouble with the law (even minor infractions) you must provide some evidence that any and all legal situations have been settled, are no longer going on, etc. Again, I don't know all the details about this kind of situation, but if this applies to you, be ready to provide extra evidence/supporting documents during the visa process. 3) Providing poor quality photos for the visa. Just go and get pictures taken at your local pharmacy or wherever you can find that provides them and you should be fine. My pharmacy even offered to retake them if they weren't accepted, which (despite my time crunch) was reassuring.
My list may not be complete, so if you are applying for a visa, it'd be a good idea to check with various visa and government websites (most of which I found unhelpful and frustrating, but it's always better to get your information straight from the horse's mouth). And for those of you not applying for a visa...well, sorry if this was long and boring, and hopefully you skimmed and/or skipped over most of this.
Important Resources
These are some important websites, but you really need to dig around the websites to find out the information you are looking for:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/
http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Prepare/Cost.htm (More information about living costs for different parts of the country.)
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/other-locations/ny/
Also, this site (from another blogger who is embarking on the same program) also has a detailed list of how to apply for a visa, and what to include. Her site helped me a lot when I was applying, so it'd be a good idea to check her's out as well: http://larybray.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/shouldnt-i-be-nervous/
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Travels with Duffy
Hello, and thanks for reading (if anyone is even reading this). This is the first post of my travel blog while I study abroad for a year in England. I wanted to do a travel blog to partly keep in touch with friends and family from back home, while also having a place where I can share my European adventures through my photographs and words...which brings me to the title of this blog: No Reason to Paint. I know it sounds like a weird title for a travel blog, but I wanted a title that would be a little different from most travel blogs. I got the idea from an Edward Hopper quote, "If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint." While I can respect painters of every kind, and don't have anything against the medium, it takes a lot for me to really enjoy or even love a painting. I lack the ability to appreciate the finer details or work that goes into them since it's not the medium I work with. Hopper, however, is one of those few painters whose work I love, whether it's a painting of one of his landscapes or of the people who inhabit them, there is always an inherently lonely, and often sublime quality to his work. However, unlike Hopper, I do have words (and my camera) to express what I am feeling or going through, so I find I personally have no reason to paint.
Next thing that probably needs explaining - Duffy. I'll preface this by saying I have a strong love for Disney & Disneyland. I've been raised on it, and it has a deep place in my heart. Duffy is one of Disney's newest merchandising ideas that they've released. The story is that before Mickey left to sail around the world, Minnie made him a teddy bear named Duffy to take on his travels so he wouldn't get lonely. (Now, the feminist that my liberal writing & humanities classes has made me wonders why Minnie didn't get to travel the world with Mickey...but the girl in me thinks Duffy is super cute, which cancels out the need for Duffy's back-story to be p.c.)
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| This is a Duffy key-chain I got at Disneyland. He's posing next to my favorite book, Travels with Charley in Search of America. |
Which brings me to the subtitle: Travels with Duffy in Search of Myself. It's cheesy, I know, but I'm hoping this year abroad will help me decide what area of creativity I want to focus on in the future - photography or creative writing. As you can probably tell, I love to write, and often go into long-winded explanations of everything...probably not so great for a blog. (Which means I have something to work on!) So far I've spent most of my college career focusing on photography since I was able to get into those classes a few semesters before the writing/lit. classes, and my use of the written word has kind of suffered for it. Hopefully I can take this year abroad to concentrate on my writing to see if there is any hope for me in the literary department, as well as helping me get an idea of what to focus on in my future endeavors. I also hope to learn more about myself in the process of moving somewhere new, and by challenging myself to start over in a new country and at a new school. I always feel I learn more about myself when in difficult situations or a new environment. So hopefully I can learn more about myself, as well as build myself up to be someone better for having studied abroad.
So what you can expect from this blog:
-Lots and lots of photos! Especially of all the architecture and amazing buildings in Europe!
-Really long, wordy posts (which I will work on making brief.)
-Some advice when traveling/studying abroad.
-Hopefully some interesting, informative knowledge about Europe...but through the eyes of a 21 year old girl, you might be out of luck.
We'll just have to see how it goes!
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