Module choices

Today, the University of North Texas informed me that they had processed some of my module choices. I was very excited about the modules that the university offered. There were modules that were not included at Birmingham (including English/French/Italian/German diction and aural training) and others that I could not take at Birmingham (conducting would have meant that I was taking too much performance).

There were some problems with my choices, but so far seven credits have been confirmed (I must take 12-15 this term). Even so, my timetable for next term has more hours on the Monday than my entire week at Birmingham. In second year, my timetable would consist of six to seven hours a week- my Monday starting in August will consist of seven hours SO FAR. I still need to determine an extra five to seven credits!

My whole week is going to revolve around singing and opera. Lame as it may seems, but this has made me so excited. I would never have this opportunity in England and I think this has actually made me realise that going to America is the best possible choice. I have been umm-ing and err-ing over the last couple of weeks. I'm leaving behind my course mates who will graduate when I return and I have never been away from my family for so long and been so far away- I've never even been to America before!!

To make up the extra credits I will need to sign up for the singing lessons (that will be uploaded this week, this will involve departmental meetings every week and recitals each term) and I have the option to do French diction, composition, piano lessons and musical health awareness.

It's all very exciting!!

Visa interview

I had my visa interview today and truth be told, I was rather nervous about it! It was an early start, my coach was due to leave at 6:30am and I couldn't get to sleep until half one, so by the morning I was pretty knackered.

The first major cock-up of the day had to be when I discovered I had booked the wrong coach- the 7:15am. Luckily, the man at the desk was nice enough to change my ticket without charging me any extra. Mister Reception-man, I <3 you.

The coach for the first time EVER arrived early, so I spent half an hour reading in a coffee, trying to estimate the time with no clock. Now normally I am one of these anti-social people, who constantly have their phone or some form of electronics attached to them. This trip to the embassy was hard- you are allowed not allowed to bring any electrical equipment with you into the embassy. I had the choice to leave it in a locker, but because I didn't want to pay £15, my phone was left at home.

The first thing I noticed about the embassy was that there were a lot of guns. If that doesn't shout 'WELCOME TO AMERICA', I don't know what does. I felt mildly intimidated by one of the guards who was loudly demanding several bits of documentation at once.

However, once I was in and realised that I had actually brought all of the right documentation, the interview process ran quite smoothly.

BUT.

At the back of my mind, I was going through every single piece of documentation I had gone through.
Oh gosh.
I had put my middle name on my SEVIS form, but not my other forms.
Omigod, are they going to think I'm another person.
I put student finance as my sponsor. Is it my second cousin?
Am I the sponsor?
Are we all the sponsors?
WHY COULD I ONLY PICK ONE SPONSOR!!!
Oh no. That can't be a cut on my thumb.
IT'S ONLY THE SIZE OF A PIN PRICK BUT IT'S A CUT.

The sweat was actually pouring down my face and I was beginning to get worried about what questions they were going to ask and whether my fingerprints were going to be accepted.
My number was called and I moved to the interview block. The man was very nice and asked which university I was currently studying at and why I was planning on coming back to the UK and lo and behold...

The only downside really was that I was told the interview would be about four hours long. It was two hours at the most. I left the embassy around one and had four hours to blow before my coach was due to leave. Luckily it was quite a nice day, so I spent it around London, visiting Chappell music shop and sitting in the park, sunbathing and reading a novel.

Now my visa has been accepted, I can actually do the BIG THING and book the flights.

The beginning of my third year adventure

Hello!

My name is Bryony and I have just finished my second year at the University of Birmingham, England.

Last November, I rang my Mum and said:
'What would you say if I studied in America for a year?'

To say the least, she wasn't expecting that.

It is the first year in over a decade that they have allowed music students to study abroad as a part of their degree (unless the music student was joint honours with a language). At first I applied on the basis that I was unsure I was going to get a place at all. Safe to say I didn't take it hugely seriously to begin with...

However, in January I discovered that I had indeed been accepted into the University of North Texas and more recently, I had been accepted on to the vocal studies programme and instead of studying musicology, I will have a year to focus on singing and discover what life is like at music college.

I've heard the women in these places can be brutal...

Let's hope for the best. I mean, come on... the American education system can't be like Mean Girls surely? It's like if all people were to base the English on say... Blackadder

or Jeremy Kyle.

All I can say citizens of America, you cannot judge. I have watched Jerry Springer, the Steve Wilkos show and Dr Phil (OMIGOD I'M GOING TO THE SAME UNIVERSITY AS DR PHIL) and the guests are far trashier...

A few of my friends have put together a couple of 'white lies' I should tell on my year abroad (of course I would never do such a thing).
The challenge is to fool someone into believing:

1. In some pubs in England, tea is so popular that they serve it on the tap.
2. Sherlock Holmes is in fact a historical character. 
3. The reason why the Geordie accent is so different and distinct is because Newcastle is in fact an island and as a result they have developed a different dialect. 
4. Every British person will take a pilgrimage to Stonehenge. It is a time-honoured tradition. 

To be honest, I don't believe I could pull this off without laughing, so if you're having a year abroad and feel cruel, take a few off my list. 

Well, from now I'm going to try and keep an updated account of my year abroad experience. I had my visa interview today, now that was fun... 

I am thrilled that I'm going to Dallas though. The city looks bloody incredible and hopefully I'll have the opportunity to get out more and see other states as well!

P.S. Please comment! Would be nice to get some feedback (and it would be nice to see who actually reads my ramblings).