Orientation

So, the study abroad preparation process is horrible, almost bad enough to consider not dealing with it at all. Our initial applications were due October 1, so the paperwork and essays for that were due then, then we got accepted through Marquette, then we had to do more paperwork to get accepted through our host institution, and in the mean time prepping the paperwork for our Visa. The Visa application process is one of my worst experiences with Marquette yet. It was very disorganized for a process so minute and specific. You must apply directly at the Italian consulate in Chicago, a task much more difficult for us out of state folk. There were about 30 pieces of paper to gather, get notarized, make photocopies, get signed by parents. We had to wait to get papers from the host school to do most of it as well. Luckily, someone from the consulate came to Marquette for a two hour span so everyone was pressured to have everything ready by then in order to avoid the Chicago trip. Of course, with such a strict deadline, everything possible went wrong: parents had to overnight important papers, forms weren't mailed out and hours were spent on the phone and email, things were lost, and tons of money was spent just rounding out the essentials of the application (a student visa is "free"). All in all, everything got together in time for the lady coming here and I am all applied. Now with my flight, passport, visa in process, and registered for classes, I'm a few pieces of paperwork away from being officially ready to head out! What a relief, I never thought this situation would drag on all semester. I guess hanging out in Europe for 4 months kind of makes up for it though...

We had a mandatory study abroad orientation last saturday, 6 hours of informative over-bearing Marquette administrative seminars. Some was helpful and made me think positively on aspects that I need to consider and prepare before my trip. Others freaked me out, and bureaucratic crap like surveys and goal establishing just dragged the day on longer (stop trying so hard Office of Student Development!). In the end, I realized this is something I'm not ready for. I have no experience in such a travel environment, I try and cut financial corners to save money which makes everything harder, and I've had too busy of a semester to sit down and contemplate what I'm really about to do. After talking to friends and parents, I feel more able to just relax and go for it, take it as it comes and know that everything will work out. The things I don't know, I'll learn, and it'll add to the experience that much more. I met some people in my program, and I'm excited to get to know them better because we will probably be spending a lot of time together. My Italian TA is a sophomore and is going to the other program, John Cabot, and he is organization man and already has trips and events planned out, so I'm fully planning on latching onto him :-).

I fly out January 12th from Syracuse to Chicago where I'll meet up with 2 other kids from the program and then we fly to Heathrow and then Rome and will move into JFRC the night of the 13th and hang around a day before orientation starts the 15th. Semester ends April 29th, but my return flight is booked home for May 15th out of Rome, so I have two unplanned weeks to adventure! Two good friends from Irondequoit, Kristin Bell and Alli Haag, will be studying in France and end at the same time, so we will meet up and backpack and we all fly out the same day.

As it stands now, I simply cant wait. I have no idea what to expect and I have no idea how I'll react. I think I'll freak out originally but I know I'll relax after a week or so. The logistics of cultural differences, packing, booking trips and traveling are the things that worry me most, which I'm more comfortable with adapting to than reservations towards the language or experience as a whole. I'm sitting at work rounding out my 50 hour paycheck period (score!) and realizing how hard it will be to suppress these thoughts and thoughts of Christmas and home in order to focus on finals. Honestly, as I write this, I'm feeling more excited than I have yet, maybe realizing how real this truly is.

In the spirit of the week, I am monumentally grateful that this opportunity is something that I get to take advantage of, and that I have the academic flexibility, financial means, support from all, and general drive to do this. I've been blessed, and thats something I will continuously reflect on. Peace.