It's been over a month since I wrote an entry and I've missed it a lot! The term became very busy in the past three weeks with the opera and my upcoming jury, but I've found some spare time before I start the next opera, Sweeney Todd.
I've been wanting to write a three-part blog and I want to base these blogs on three different areas:
The things you should before you go on a year abroad, period.
The things you should know about studying in the United States.
The things you should know about studying in Texas.
I have had many surprises on my journey, some have been really wonderful, others could have been avoided... If you're planning on having a year abroad, I hope that I can help reduce the amount of surprises you might have.
So, here goes part one...
Things you should know before you go on a year abroad, period.
1. DO IT
If you have the opportunity and you can (sort of) afford it: do it. The chances are that you will never have this opportunity again, even though you think you might. To study abroad for your postgraduate can be a lot more expensive than the U.K. (especially if you want to go to the U.S). This opportunity means that you have the chance to live in a different country with no real responsibilities or commitments: no job, no bills, no family.
Do it before you're trapped.
Don't question it: do it.
If you have the opportunity and you can (sort of) afford it: do it. The chances are that you will never have this opportunity again, even though you think you might. To study abroad for your postgraduate can be a lot more expensive than the U.K. (especially if you want to go to the U.S). This opportunity means that you have the chance to live in a different country with no real responsibilities or commitments: no job, no bills, no family.
Do it before you're trapped.
Don't question it: do it.
2. Go for a year, not just a semester (if you can)
If I'm honest, three months is not enough time. You're never going to settle in a new country in only three months. However, don't feel alarmed at the prospect of a 'year'. If I'm honest, this experience has made me realise how quickly time does fly. It's nearly three weeks until I'm home and I've already been here for three months. Does it feel like three months? Not at all.
If I'm honest, three months is not enough time. You're never going to settle in a new country in only three months. However, don't feel alarmed at the prospect of a 'year'. If I'm honest, this experience has made me realise how quickly time does fly. It's nearly three weeks until I'm home and I've already been here for three months. Does it feel like three months? Not at all.
3. Travel
This might sound ridiculous, but many people who go on a year abroad plan on travelling, but they never get the chance because life catches up with them. My recommendation is do it, even if you can't afford. Young Brits: extend your overdraft and think about the consequences when you're back in the U.K - work for the rest of the summer if you have to! This might be the only chance you have - seize the moment and do for it.
4. Buy/borrow a decent camera
Whatever you do, don't do what I did and go with a cheap camera. You do not want to go to any wonders of the world and realise that your camera can barely pick up the colour, let alone the landscape. This might be a pricey investment, but if you have a friend who is willing to lend their decent camera to you on a life or death basis, do it. These memories will be captured forever.
Oh the horror.
Whatever you do, don't do what I did and go with a cheap camera. You do not want to go to any wonders of the world and realise that your camera can barely pick up the colour, let alone the landscape. This might be a pricey investment, but if you have a friend who is willing to lend their decent camera to you on a life or death basis, do it. These memories will be captured forever.
5. Try to meet other international students
I have had the opportunity here to make friends with people from different backgrounds. I have made friends with an incredible bunch of American's, but also a number of international exchange students like myself. As harsh as it may seem, I never really had the patience for exchange students when I was a Birmingham, especially if they couldn't speak English very well. However, when you're a foreigner as well, you realise how much of a struggle it can be - that's when you speak the language fluently as well!!!
Besides, it also means that you have a lot of cool places you can visit like Holland, Australia and Finland.
Besides, it also means that you have a lot of cool places you can visit like Holland, Australia and Finland.
6. If you need to get a visa for your year abroad, be advised that it doesn't take six hours
When I went to get my visa, I was under the impression that it would take approximately six hours. It doesn't. It takes around two. SO, if you don't have any plans with anyone in London, waiting for a coach for six hours probably isn't the best idea. Luckily the weather was nice, so I sat in a park near Victoria and read in the sun for a couple of hours.
7. It's not a 24/7 holiday
Although travelling is a must, everyday is not an adventure. Something that I wasn't expecting was the feeling of 'groundhog day'. For a period of three weeks, every day was starting to feel the same - it was like I was repeating the same day. If you're like me and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with public transport can only be described as s***, this feeling is imminent.
8. Homesickness can strike at any moment
Homesickness has caught me surprise here. I'm not the sort of person who would normally feel homesick, but there have been three sudden moments where I have been homesick.
It's okay to feel like that. You'll feel instantly better after a skype with some home friends.
9. Treasure your home food products
9. Treasure your home food products
I cannot begin to explain how much you will miss British food. I came into the country with a lot of teabags, but nothing else. When you go to your new local supermarket, you begin to realise there isn't a lot you recognise from your British supermarket. If you can (I will understand if you can't), try and pack some treats: crisps, biscuits, sweets - try to stock up or get your family to send you some. I bought some digestives the other day and the taste took me straight back to home.
1o. Book a direct flight to your new home
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The last thing you want when you move to a new location is losing your luggage. You have to think that you're entire life is in that suitcase. Although it might be slightly more expensive than a flight with stops, it is simply not worth the risk.
The last thing you want when you move to a new location is losing your luggage. You have to think that you're entire life is in that suitcase. Although it might be slightly more expensive than a flight with stops, it is simply not worth the risk.
11. Think about purchasing an Iphone
Most countries will expect you to get a contract phone and as a result, it is hard to find a decent pay as you go contract. The only reason I advise getting an IPhone is because most people have them and you'll still be able to communicate with people with wifi on IMessage and FaceTime. You'll also be able to download handy apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype to keep in contact with your family.
12. Prepare to change.
You're about to do something life changing and it will change your life forever. You will come to realise what really matters, who you miss and what you miss and who you don't miss at all. You suddenly realise what it is that you want and who you want to be.
You're about to do something life changing and it will change your life forever. You will come to realise what really matters, who you miss and what you miss and who you don't miss at all. You suddenly realise what it is that you want and who you want to be.
Living in a different country by yourself is probably the scariest thing someone can do. For the first time in a while, I feel like I've really started to live every day as if it was my last.
Te Deum.
Te Deum.
