Accidently Planning a Roller Coaster Ride

I was prepared to tell you all how very disappointed I was that I would not be studying abroad. Since my last post, I have been on a roller coaster ride. First I was going to Australia, then not, then going, then not, and now finally I am going. It is official (plane ticket and all). I couldn't be happier, though it wasn't always like this. Studying abroad was an important thing for me to do. I was planing to go for an entire year and believing I was not going to go broke my heart every time. I always thought I would never be able to go because I knew for a fact that I did not have the money for what i was dreaming of and trying to accomplish. I remember this past Christmas ( which was the worst) when my mother gave me one of my Christmas gifts, I cried. You know what it was? It was a passport cover for my passport for my studying abroad trip. Such a simple gift made me cry and I cried because I had lost faith in myself and all the people around me. I thought I would not be able to go, but I was wrong, though at the moment I was right. I am only able to study abroad because of certain people around me. They helped me achieve what I failed to do, because I did not plan right. You see planning is the key to success and that is exactly what I did not do right (in the money aspect). Also, enlisting the help of other people in my life was very important and beneficial for my studying abroad journey. Mainly this roller coaster ride was a product of poor money preparation. I thought I had planned enough money for me to be able to go to Australia and the truth is I didn't. It is also hard to plan when you have people who swear they are going to help but really don't (story of my life . . .), then contact you after the deadline to see how things are going. I am proud to say that another person stepped in to help. Liz I must say I am forever grateful to you and the potential you see in me. I love how you took a risk and placed your faith in me. I promise I will not let you down. I was made for this study abroad trip! People, from this post I don't won't you all to realize my emotionally roller coaster (happy, angry, disappointed, sad)and indecisiveness, instead I want you all to realize that planning and preparation means a lot, but not only in studying abroad. Remember have a plan for yourself in everything that you do ( with an alternative one too), but don't set the bar too high.

Finally the wait is over . . . .but not the worry!

Finally the wait is over! I got accepted by Winthrop on March 22nd! Then following that I got accepted by the University of the Sunshine Coast on that Thursday March 24th! I didn't study for my exam and unfortunately I made a 67 (a D), but I am still very excited about getting accepted! Along with my acceptance emails, I received many documents for my preparation to study abroad. I had forms to transfer my classes and financial aid, my Letter of Offer, and information on my accommodation, flight, and student visa! This was so very exciting and on top of that I had to read a lot of things so that I could be informed and I was ok with that, especially since I like to read anyway. Finally, it actually feels like I am going somewhere after I have been wanting for this for so long. On top of turning in my study abroad application, I also finished my application for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship which is featured on the Institute of International Education website. This scholarship is available for people who want to study abroad in any semester (fall, spring, or summer) for at least 4 weeks in one country, is eligible for the Pell Grant, and not studying in a country on the travel warning list. I highly recommend this scholarship and applying if you are eligible because you can receive up to $8,000. Therefore, you should go check out the Gilman Scholarship! I am really excited about this scholarship and I can not wait till June to hear if I have received it or not. In the meantime, I will continue to check things off of my list: including the flight and the apartment fees! Hopefully I won't run out of money! : )

. . . . .Waiting for acceptance . . . .

I am very ecstatic still from the accomplishing experience I had yesterday, even though right now I should be studying for my Psyc 316 test! Sorry Dr. Ritzer! Yesterday, I finally turned in my study abroad application after a long wait for Winthrop to finally allow me to apply! You see, back in 2009 I decided that I wanted to study abroad in order to add to my college experience. I had met Jennifer K., whom I partied with at Suite on Wednesdays after riding the party bus at Winthrop. Jennifer is from Ghana and has been studying abroad at Winthrop for at least a year. She amazed me and was the finally push to make me meet with the international center. I decided on the University of the Sunshine Coast after doing some research. This however was not my 1st choice. First, I wanted to go to Italy, but that is mostly reserved for art majors. Therefore, USC my 2nd choice, was my final decision and I must say it fits me perfectly (from the beaches, to the classes, to the language I couldn't be happier). I am awaiting for the acceptance letter and should receive it in the middle of March. Meanwhile, I will be worrying about how to pay for it since Winthrop's financial aid does not kick in until August which will be too late considering the Australian school year starts in July! Yikes! I am glad I have done a little research and I have enlisted the help of a great pillar of the Rock Hill, SC community: Mr. Ralph Norman and also the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. Thank you Mr. Norman without you I couldn't do it! Well people . . . .until next time.