So the end of the fall semester has come. This is the last week of classes. I have nine days left at Gettysburg and will not be back for eight months. I always knew studying abroad was going to be a mixed feeling/experience. There is so much to look forward to and be excited for, but there is a lot that I will miss next semester. While it is only for one semester, I have been thinking about graduation and the future. This expereince is preparing me to leave for good in the Spring of 2018. It is weird to think that is coming so soon. Only 35 days until I leave the United States. It is really hitting me now how different everything is going to be, in a good way.
Updates:
- Took my language placement test a few weeks ago! It was painful (probably shouldn't of taken a year and a half off from spanish classes...oops). I would be more than happy to be put in a beginning level spanish class. I think it will help with the transitation. I would rather be underwhelmed then overwhelmed with my classes. So we will see how that goes when I actually get to Spain!
- Still need to book my flight...oops again. Hopefully that will happen soon!
- Starting to pack up the room and have plans to store it all for the next 8 months. Doing this slowly because my room is going to look so sad when its all packed and stored.
That's all for now! Soon these posts will be pictures and stories from my five months abroad. Crazy to think it's almost here!
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Visas, Scholarships, and Pre-depature meetings
SO much has happened since my last post a month or so ago! Lots of updates for you all:
1. In mid-october I submitted all the materials for my visa application. It was an easier process than I anticipated. Luckily my program will submit the visas to a consulate near our school or home on our behalf. All I needed to do was submit the materials to my program coordinator and they were able to send it to the Spanish consulate in San Francisco, CA. I receive confirmation a few weeks ago that everything on my application was complete and that it was successfully submitted to the Spainish consulate. Now I just have to wait to see if they approve me! I am hopeful it will all work out.
2. More good news! In October I applied for a scholarship through the Eisenhower Institute which is a distinctive program at Gettysburg College. This scholarship is open only to Gettysburg College students and is dedicated to helping students afford going abroad. I was notified on Friday that I was selected for the scholarship! I am honored and excited to have received this award. It will cover my visa application, flights, and many other expenses related to studying abroad.
If you are interested in hearing more about it, follow this link:
http://eisenhowerinstitute.org/scholarships/hilton.dot
3. Lastly, a week or so ago the Center for Global Education here at Gettysburg College did a pre-departure orientaiton. I was able to hear more about important things I should know before starting my semester abroad. I was also able to meet with the students from Gettysburg College who are also participating in my program.
All three of these recent updates has made this whole experience feel so real! It's getting so close. I only have four more weeks of school and then finals week. I'll have to pack up all my belongings and put it in storage for eight months until I arrive back on campus in August of 2017. Although I am beyond excited for this new adventure, I will miss everyone here at Gettysburg and in the United States. With that being said, I can not wait to start this once in a lifetime opportunity!
I'll keep you all updated with any news I receieve over the next couple of months. ¡Adios!
1. In mid-october I submitted all the materials for my visa application. It was an easier process than I anticipated. Luckily my program will submit the visas to a consulate near our school or home on our behalf. All I needed to do was submit the materials to my program coordinator and they were able to send it to the Spanish consulate in San Francisco, CA. I receive confirmation a few weeks ago that everything on my application was complete and that it was successfully submitted to the Spainish consulate. Now I just have to wait to see if they approve me! I am hopeful it will all work out.
2. More good news! In October I applied for a scholarship through the Eisenhower Institute which is a distinctive program at Gettysburg College. This scholarship is open only to Gettysburg College students and is dedicated to helping students afford going abroad. I was notified on Friday that I was selected for the scholarship! I am honored and excited to have received this award. It will cover my visa application, flights, and many other expenses related to studying abroad.
If you are interested in hearing more about it, follow this link:
http://eisenhowerinstitute.org/scholarships/hilton.dot
3. Lastly, a week or so ago the Center for Global Education here at Gettysburg College did a pre-departure orientaiton. I was able to hear more about important things I should know before starting my semester abroad. I was also able to meet with the students from Gettysburg College who are also participating in my program.
All three of these recent updates has made this whole experience feel so real! It's getting so close. I only have four more weeks of school and then finals week. I'll have to pack up all my belongings and put it in storage for eight months until I arrive back on campus in August of 2017. Although I am beyond excited for this new adventure, I will miss everyone here at Gettysburg and in the United States. With that being said, I can not wait to start this once in a lifetime opportunity!
I'll keep you all updated with any news I receieve over the next couple of months. ¡Adios!
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Exciting News...
So it has been a while since I last posted, but I'm here to share some great news!
I have been accepted into the CIEE International Business and Culture program in Sevilla, Spain for the Spring 2017 semester!!
I submitted my application within the past couple of weeks and I was not expecting to hear back so quickly! After speaking with my dad on the phone tonight, he asked about the status of my application. Spain and next semester is on my mind frequently, but I realized during that conversation that I had not checked on the status of my application in a few days.
After arriving back to my room and checking my account I was happily surprised to see in big bright bold orange letters "CONGRATULATIONS!"
Although I'll be honest, I was not that surprised to find out I was accepted (it's my understanding that this is a fairly easy program to be accepted too), it feels surreal to receive the acceptance! This program and next semester is something I have been talking about since my first-year of college.
This week marks the 4th week of school out of 15. It is slowly starting to hit me that not too long from now I will pack up my room at Gettysburg College, put my belongings into storage for the majority of next year, and turn in my key. I will be leaving not only Gettysburg College but the United States for roughly five months. Not only have I been working on processing the fact that I'm more than 1/2 way through college this year, but also the fact that starting in 2017 I will be living in a foreign country!
I'm looking forward to this crazy adventure! I can't wait to share it with all of you. (:
¡Hasta la próxima vez!
*Drum Roll*
I have been accepted into the CIEE International Business and Culture program in Sevilla, Spain for the Spring 2017 semester!!
I submitted my application within the past couple of weeks and I was not expecting to hear back so quickly! After speaking with my dad on the phone tonight, he asked about the status of my application. Spain and next semester is on my mind frequently, but I realized during that conversation that I had not checked on the status of my application in a few days.
After arriving back to my room and checking my account I was happily surprised to see in big bright bold orange letters "CONGRATULATIONS!"
Although I'll be honest, I was not that surprised to find out I was accepted (it's my understanding that this is a fairly easy program to be accepted too), it feels surreal to receive the acceptance! This program and next semester is something I have been talking about since my first-year of college.
This week marks the 4th week of school out of 15. It is slowly starting to hit me that not too long from now I will pack up my room at Gettysburg College, put my belongings into storage for the majority of next year, and turn in my key. I will be leaving not only Gettysburg College but the United States for roughly five months. Not only have I been working on processing the fact that I'm more than 1/2 way through college this year, but also the fact that starting in 2017 I will be living in a foreign country!
I'm looking forward to this crazy adventure! I can't wait to share it with all of you. (:
¡Hasta la próxima vez!
Monday, August 1, 2016
Beginning Stages of Applying
Since my first-year of college, I have known I wanted to study abroad in Spain with this specific program. The program I will be applying to is the CIEE International Bussiness and Culture. This program is a perfect fit for me for multiple reasons.
First off, the location. I have taken four years of Spanish but have never been able to really pick up the language. When I first started to look into programs, I knew I wanted a program either in Spain or South America, that way I could practice and advance my Spanish speaking skills. I have always wanted to study abroad somewhere in Europe, so Spain seemed like a natural fit. Seville is also a beautiful city that is not as big as Madrid or Barcelona, but not too small either.
Second, the class options. Since the program is International Bussiness and Culture, there are a lot of classes offered that are Political Science, Public Policy, Internation Relations, and Economics minded. In addition, the culture part will allow me to take a class that is specialized to Spain. I'm hoping I'll be able to take a Spanish Art History class.
Third, this program is home-stay only. I thought I always would go for a program that had apartments, where I would live with fellow students of the program. After attending college and thinking about what I wanted out of my study abroad experience, I realized I wanted to be immersed in the culture of the country as much as possible. I think there is really no better way to do that than staying with a family for my semester.
If you are interested in learning more about my specific program follow the link for more details.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be starting and completing the application! It's due by October 1st, so it's not too long from now that I will have applied and waiting to hear if I am accepted.
First off, the location. I have taken four years of Spanish but have never been able to really pick up the language. When I first started to look into programs, I knew I wanted a program either in Spain or South America, that way I could practice and advance my Spanish speaking skills. I have always wanted to study abroad somewhere in Europe, so Spain seemed like a natural fit. Seville is also a beautiful city that is not as big as Madrid or Barcelona, but not too small either.
Second, the class options. Since the program is International Bussiness and Culture, there are a lot of classes offered that are Political Science, Public Policy, Internation Relations, and Economics minded. In addition, the culture part will allow me to take a class that is specialized to Spain. I'm hoping I'll be able to take a Spanish Art History class.
Third, this program is home-stay only. I thought I always would go for a program that had apartments, where I would live with fellow students of the program. After attending college and thinking about what I wanted out of my study abroad experience, I realized I wanted to be immersed in the culture of the country as much as possible. I think there is really no better way to do that than staying with a family for my semester.
If you are interested in learning more about my specific program follow the link for more details.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be starting and completing the application! It's due by October 1st, so it's not too long from now that I will have applied and waiting to hear if I am accepted.
Friday, July 29, 2016
¡Bievenido!
Thank you for following my journey as I apply for and study in Seville, Spain for the spring 2017 semester! Throughout the next couple of months, I will be sharing my thoughts and experiences as I apply for the CIEE International Business and Culture semester abroad. Starting in January 2017, follow my five-month journey in Seville and wherever my experience takes me!
I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you! ¡Deséame suerte!
I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you! ¡Deséame suerte!
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