I decided to make this my official blog about studying abroad from beginning to end.
So Lets catch up.
Julia and Amanda told me they were going to apply to study broad and I have always wanted to but I never thought I actually would. Julia suggested that I just go sit in on the information meeting to see how it was. I walked out and knew I had to apply!
The three of us decided we wanted to go together. And we wanted Australia but there were only two spots available for Australia so our next shot was Surrey, England. We knew we had to make a list of all of the places so it went as follows:
1. Surrey England
2. Innsbruck Austria
3. Vienna Austria
4. Australia
5. France
6. Hong Kong
Then came the application process. I had to fill out the actual application online, write a 500 word paper on why I deserve to go, get two references, attach a resume, and a degree audit.
I was the most nervous about the 500 word paper. I have never been confident in my writing ability. But I got it all in on time!
The next two weeks were the longest of my life. I did a ton a research on Surrey England hoping that was where we were going. Finally it was the first day after spring break so Amanda and Julia went to the person in charge of Study Abroad and we were told we would find out on Friday.
That Friday morning Julia and I went to the Study Abroad person again and he had still not heard anything from the board that makes the decisions, but that we would know by 5:00 pm that day. Around 6:00 pm we received an e-mail saying that we would find out by Saturday morning at the earliest and Monday night at the latest. Saturday came and went. Sunday came and went. Finally it was Monday, I called Study Abroad around 3:00 because we had still not heard anything. I was told we would find out by 7:00 that night.
I got a text message from Julia around 8:15 saying we got MCI. I told her this was not a time for jokes. She assured me she was serious. While she was texting me I got the e-mail stating we did in fact get MCI, which is located in Innsbruck, Austria!
I think this was THE most bittersweet moment of my life. I was so set on England because my great grandfather was from there and I really wanted to see and experience London. But we did get our second choice, we were going abroad, and we were going together.
I made some phone calls and let everyone know. Everyone was very excited and Innsbruck was slowly growing on me.
My mom would send me random text messages like "The Sound of Music was filmed there!" or "Remember it is 311 in Austria, not 911" and "They have one of the lowest crime rates of all the countries in Europe"
A few weeks later I bought a book to help me learn german, it is filled with little phrases and a mini translation dictionary.
I do not think I have ever laughed so hard in my life. I think you would have to be here when it takes place but hearing me, Julia, and Amanda trying to pronounce random phrases in German or should I say Deutsch?
Like for example:
ich bin an-fenger or I'm a beginner
Schinken or Ham
sprechen Sie Englisch? or Do you speak English?
All in all I am really looking forward to this. It is expensive and I will be away from everything I know (except Julia and Amanda) for four months but it is going to be amazing!
