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!)
Travels with Duffy in Search of Myself.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
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:
 |
| Worn by Ellen Terry in 1888 |
 |
| 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 ;)
 |
| 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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