AFS exchange (7/10/10)

Ahhh! okay, so i’m really bad at blogging.. like im doing everything out of order and it isnt really making much sense. I JUST started blogging like this week, but i should have started at the beginning of this WHOLE experience. It doesnt just start the day i leave for Italy. It started way back when i first began applying. OMG my application took me FOREVER!



basically, for those of you who want to know about the first few steps of being an exchange student, here:


-pre-application


-application(health forms, essay, photos, about you, parent statement, letters of recommendation, passport, interview, etc.)

-START YOUR VISA APPLICATION ASAP! The paper work takes a long time..


-pay tuition fee

-get accepted

-pre-departure orientation (PDO)

-wait…

….wait


…wait


BE PATIENT! (the longer they take for you, they are just spending more time trying to find you the perfect family for you :) ) <—— that is weird… like parenthesis in parenthesis even though its really a smiley face..


anyways


-get host family


-communicate with host family(email, chat, i used skype!)


-get travel notifcations

-book flight to international gateway

-get school notification

These are all KEY steps to going abroad.. I myself am at the point where im learning italian (dont have to, but it’s good to be prepared!) and i am freaking out about packing!


I’ve been making a huge packing list, I’m just so scared im going to forget something..


Oh and then there is also (things i havent gotten to yet):


-pack


-fly to international gateway


-international orientation


-fly to rome


-orientation in rome

-meet host family!

So anyways, this is just for those who are interested in the steps, or those who are reading this and are interested in going on exchange. It sounds like a lot, i admit yes it sort of is, but it doesnt really seem like it. I mean, you have such a long time to prepare, and you just take it day at a time. I’m enjoying the last two months i have here at home, just spending every moment of it with people i love and having fun!

p.s. i actually have no idea why i made this… i guess im just really bored.