Friday, March 25, 2011

Study Abroad Fair (154 Days)

So yesterday got me totally excited for next semester. My university was holding a study abroad info fair and I went to check it out and see if I could get more sas info. I walked away with a new brochure, a pen and a DVD. As soon as I got back to my room I watched the DVD and it was amazing! It showed life on the ship and talked about the field work opportunities. the video showed amazing sights and chances to learn about other cultures. I can honestly say that i cannot wait for my LIFE CHANGING voyage!!!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Good News (157 Days)

YAY this morning I received the email which told me I am a "confirmed participant for the Fall 2011 Semester at Sea program!" its official. I also got my housing assignment, not the greatest news but i'm happy. I wanted an economy room because it was the cheapest and my next next 2 choices went in order of cost as well. I got assigned 3rd Deck inner room which will cost me a total of $26,875 rather than $22,395 for an economy room... ( that is the total cost for my semester, not just room ) 

I also got another email informing me about scholarships and forms and courses, its all a lot to handle but I plan on taking it one step at a time :) 

Monday, March 21, 2011

Trip Details (158 Days)


Making the Decision

Last semester I decided I wanted to study abroad but I had no idea where. At first I was thinking Australia or Ireland but as soon as I heard about semester at sea I knew that was where I wanted to be. The first step was researching and convincing my parents. It wasn't as difficult as i thought it would be. So I went to my study abroad office once again and declared my trip filled out a bunch of paper work and started my application. I finished my application with the help of my advisor, the study abroad office and my parents and then the torture began... waiting for my acceptance! The morning I got my acceptance email I was in North Carolina doing community service work and I was so excited! when i got home from my spring break i called my mother and figured out that I would choose to live in the economy room because it was the cheapest and I did not want to pay extra, and the $500 deposit was made :)  Now this post makes it seem like the process has been easy but it has really been a lot of work. Making appointments with advisors, figuring out how I was going to pay, completing the application, getting my courses approved, it seems my to do list only got longer no matter how many thing I crossed off. The good news now is that i can focus on my scholarships until SAS gives me more direction :)

Somewhere to start

So its 2:11 am and I don't know why i'm not in bed resting up for my first day of classes after spring break... I guess I just cant stop thinking about SAS and everything  I need to do. First on that list, create my blog CHECK. This is all I am going to post for today but over the next week I plan to write about everything I have done so far to prepare. I cant wait!