Study in the UK Blog

Down to the two week countdown!  I have been busy everyday that it’s been hard to even think that I won’t be here in two weeks.  I thought quitting my job a month early would give me plenty of time, but I haven’t even started packing yet.  Within the last month I had a going away BBQ hosted by a coworker, took a trip to Oregon to visit my best friend, and helped a friend build a fence for her backyard. 

These next two weeks are going to focus on packing for a year and making a list to help organize everything I have to do when I arrive in Aberdeen.  Studying abroad is not an easy process and there is a lot to do based on the country you are attending.  Making a list will be the only way to assure I don’t forget anything.

Below I posted a few pictures of my last month spending time with my best friend in Oregon and visiting the Coast.   Sorry to be short and sweet, but it’s a beautiful day out and I want to make it to the beach while there is still summer!

Stay Safe Everyone!

Cait 

Only 28 more days until I am in Aberdeen!

 It has already been a crazy month of change.  I put in my notice at my job, which feels weird.  I haven’t been unemployed since I was 15.  It felt strange turning in all of my equipment.  On my last day of work it felt like a normal day, I had to force myself to say goodbye to everyone.  I don’t think it has completely hit me that I will be leaving and not seeing these people for at least a year if not longer.  At least I have a going away party to have fun and enjoy my time with those I care about before I leave. 

I hit one bump in the road regarding a loan this past week.  There was a mistake on my credit report which caused a denial on one of my student loans.  I was in a panic trying to fix the issue this week, but I am so excited to say that it only took two days and an appeal!  I recieved my loan again after showing the issue had been fixed.  I couldn’t believe it was taken care of so fast.  Thank goodness it was because I was extremely stressed out and I didn’t want to have my weekend ruined with worry.  Let me tell you though, I hate dealing with credit card companies. 

Everything else is coming together.  I purchased my plane ticket for a great deal!  I couldn’t believe how cheap it was considering.  Unfortunately I will have to fly out of Seattle, but it’s only 4.5 hours away.  Could be worse.   I also purchased a new digital camera so I will be able to take beautiful photos to show you all. 

For the next few weeks I just plan on hanging out with family and friends and figuring out how to pack for a year. 

I hope all of you are well,

Caitlin

Hello Everyone,

Things have been moving along!  My Visa was issued in just a short week and I have already recieved it in the mail.  I was surprised something so expensive ends up as a sticker inside your passport.   After I found out my Visa was approved I had the strangest feelings.  At first I was super excited, being as the Visa was the last big step in going to school.  I was jumping up and down and smiling…..then it hit.. I thought I was going to be sick!  Everything I have accomplished and worked for and the realization of what I am doing.  Just was too much at one time.  It was the first time that I could allow myself to believe that I was truly going to school in Aberdeen.    Now I am all over it and am truly happy all of this has come together so nicely.  It really is the right time.

I have also purchased my plane ticket!!!!!!  Of course that wasn’t so smooth as I ended up accidentally purchasing it twice.  A quick panicked call to customer service cleared that problem up! 

I am currently packing up and getting ready to store all my belongings.  I am terribly behind schedule and am supposed to be moved out this weekend.. I have only packed one box.  I have been very busy with friends getting married, and camping/rafting trips!  Can you blame me?  Who wants to pack when you can be outside having a blast with your friends.  Except, now I am very stressed and overwhelmed.  After this post I had better get back to it!

Here is a photo of my friend Sandra and I at a friends “Tea Party” themed Bridal shower..  Oh the joys of growing up! 

I do need advice though!  I am looking into how I can stay in touch with family and friends without being tied to a computer.  My first thought was getting an Iphone.  The Iphone allows me to have a phone in case of emergencies but there are a lot of work arounds so I could use my apps and chat with people using skype without getting international data charges.  But, I’d still have to pay for a monthly contract with a service provider.  I am debating if that would be worth it.  My other option would be to get rid of my phone and use an Ipod Touch and through wifi, use skype to stay in touch with family, as I could still call their phones with the Ipod.  The only downside is it is not a phone and could not be used for emergenices.  Is there good wifi in Aberdeen/UK?  Also what would be a cheap phone option to have while in the UK that I would only need to use locally over there?  Any thought, comments, questions?

I could use all the advice I can get!!

Stay Safe!

Caitlin

Countdown to Aberdeen:  69 days

Actual Work Days left:  17 days!!!!!  (Wow that’s crazy)  I love 3-4 day work weeks. 

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.   I had a great time this year for the 4th of July.  A couple of friends and I had a BBQ, set off some fireworks, and then decided to go to the park and watch the professional firework show.  The Coeur d’Alene Firework show was actually quite fantastic this year.  They went all out for the finale.  I wish I had a video to show you.

 I’ve also been working on getting everything finalized for school.  Over the past two weeks I have been working on my Student Visa application.  The whole process was slightly confusing and even now I wonder if I completed it correctly.  Since I live in the United States I started my application online and paid online.  After you do the quick online application you have two more forms to print out and complete and make sure you have all of your support documents.   The fee for the visa was also more than I was expecting.  They must have recently raised the price.  The visa cost over $400.00.  Ouch!

My next step is moving out of my apartment.  I am dreading this.  I’ll have to go through all my documents  and belongings(which needs to get done anyways) and pack everything into storage bins to store at my parent’s house.  I have a friend letting me stay in a small studio apartment for free for the month of August until I leave in September.  HUGE MONEY SAVER.  Which means I need to be out of my apartment by the end of the month.   Wish me luck!

I recieved a Welcome letter from my Professor at Aberdeen going over some details of the Strategic Studies program.  Included in the letter was a recommended reading list.  I have never been so excited to recieve a reading list!  I checked out my local library which did not have one of the books listed.  Instead I purchased several of the books online.  I think they’ll be great references for any papers I’ll need to write.

Stay safe everyone there’s a lot of changes going on in the world!

Caitlin

96 Days to go!  I still have another three weeks before I can apply for my student Visa and I’m also waiting for an offer of accomodation from Aberdeen.  Other than that everything is falling into place.

A friend of mine has a studio apartment I can live in starting in August here so I can save at least one months rent to put towards Scotland.  It’s great to have family and friends be supportive of this huge decision.   I’m going to need all the help I can get.   I started looking around at my apartment and wondering what I’m going to do with all my stuff!  It’s going to take forever to go through papers and other belongings.   The hard part will be organizing everything I’ll need to take with me and what to store.   Especially since I’ll be moving before I even begin the move to Scotland.  Chaos! 

I started informing my coworkers of my grad school plans.  It’s interesting the mixed reactions I am recieving.  Alot of  my coworkers are happy and excited for me, but there are those who are judging my decision to attend grad school overseas.  Some people think I’m crazy for giving up my job to head overseas to a place where I do not know anybody and to put myself in debt.  Before I even applied to Aberdeen I took into consideration the views some of my coworkers have.  I thought how I am thankful to have my job, but it doesn’t pay well and there are no promotions either.  I thought how I want to recieve my graduate degree, but in the US it take two years while in the UK it takes just one.  I also thought of how I love to travel and want to experience different cultures.  I try to explain this to those few people who don’t understand the decision I made.  I’ve decided to call them small town minded.  Don’t get me wrong I love where I live, but where I live there is not much diversity.  Getting a job in government, law enforcement, etc., you have to have years and years of experience.  They hire those who are older making it extremely difficult for young people to enter into a career field.  Most of all where I live very few people are cultured and lack imagination.  Most of the people around here are content to stay put and that is wonderful for them, but I’ve always been curious as to what else is out there in this world.  I’m not letting the small few make me regret or change my decison.  If anything I feel more determined!

Anyways, getting back to Aberdeen.  I do have a question for those of you who live in the UK.  How does currency work over there?  I understand England and Scotland are the British Pound, but should I carry both the Pound and Euros?   

The photo below was taken last year with my best friend… I’m hoping if I post a summer photo then maybe summer here will finally begin!  I miss the sun!!! 

Take care,

Caitlin

Hello Everyone!

I have not forgotten about this blog, I promise!  I was waiting until I had some actual news to tell you all, but I figure I should at least say a quick word.

As of right now I am waiting on the official word from Aberdeen if they will approve my loans.  I have a very good feeling that I will recieve Federal Aid, but I don’t want to get my hopes up if it does not work out.  I had hoped that I would have heard by now.  I’m trying not to drive myself crazy from being too anxious.  After I recieve my loan information and a Joining Pack from Aberdeen then I can begin looking into acquiring a Visa. 

I’ll keep you posted on that process once I begin it!

As for the last month I have just been enjoying my time.  The weather has only now started to get nice.  Yesterday was close to 80 degrees, and then you get to  today and the weather turns on you so fast!  It was pouring rain outside.  Perks of North Idaho you go from hot to cold just like that.  It could be sunny outside and the next thing you know it’s snowing.  I just hope the weather begins to stay nice.  I am ready to hit the beach, go out on a boat, ride with the top down on my friend’s car.   ( :  Summer needs to begin!

I’ve also been working hard.  I’ve been trying to find a second job and a cheaper place to live, but all my options have fallen through so far.  It has been extremely hard to save money and I’m starting to get a little worried.  I hope something works out soon! 

Alot of events have happened the past couple months with the earthquake in Japan, the flooding and storms in the US, fighting in Libya, the death of Osama Bin Laden, and more.  I hope everyone has been staying safe!

On a lighter note one of my friends’ bands was signed to Hydrus Media.  They are called VanMarter Project and will debuting their album in June!!  If you have facebook please check them out and “like” them.  They are a great bunch of guys and I wish them the best.      http://www.facebook.com/#!/VanMarterProject

I hope to be writting some good news soon!!!!!

Caitlin

These last couple weeks I have been keeping busy.  I completed my Fafsa and mailed it to Aberdeen.  I’m hoping in the next few weeks I’ll have the official word on if I’ll recieve enough student aid to attend this fall.  Actually it’s more like i’m crossing my fingers and thinking  “please please please let this happen”  over and over again.  I decided that I needed to get my mind off of those things I have no control over and to just relax and enjoy life.  So, I boarded a plane to Boise, Idaho to visit my best friend.

There’s nothing better than spending a long weekend with my best friend who’ve I’ve known since I was five.  It was great to talk about my goals, plans, fears, hopes, dreams, and just everything to her.  It’s so freeing to have someone understand and root for you!  I was explaining to her, while I was at the airport in Spokane, WA waiting to board my flight to see her, I kept smiling and thinking the next time I’m at the airport I could be on my way to Scotland.  Everything seems to be falling into place and it just feels so right.  So apart from the great conversation with her, we enjoyed fabulous food, a strange ballet called ‘The Piano’, and got tattoos.  Yes, that’s right a tattoo.  I’m still in shock everytime I look in the mirror and see this tattoo on my back.  As my friend said, while she toasted to us and our tattoos,  ”May we never regret it.” 

I was very sad to leave my best friend and return to work and life in Northern Idaho, because I have to keep saving money some how.  The flight back into Spokane wasn’t too bad considering the one hour delay for mechanical issues and the constant threats of being diverted to another city because of the weather. Yet, there is one moment where I’m pretty sure we were very close to having an accident.  We were just about to land in Spokane.  I couldn’t see anything because of the clouds, but the second we cleared cloud cover I saw we were extremely close to the ground.  Directly below us was a residential neighborhood.  Not three seconds after we cleared the clouds and saw how close the ground was the pilot was flying us straight back up into the air and raising the landing gear.   I’m starting to wonder if that computer monitor the pilot said we didn’t need to fly was essential in a proper landing…   But alas, I live to see another day.  We flew around for another 20 mintues before landing on an actual runway.  The experience sure didn’t help my slight fear of flying.  I love to travel, but flying gives me great anxiety.  I can never sleep on planes and I have to have something to occupy my mind or I’ll be focusing on every little bit of turbulence. 

I guess these last couple weeks have been fairly eventful.  I don’t always want to bore you with words so I suppose I can start adding some pictures every now and then ( : 

My life this week: 

1.  Babysitting the most precious baby!  my “nephew” Jeremiah!  Love him!!

2.  Getting a tatto with my best friend..  Keep in mind this picture was taken right after it was completed by Nick at A Minds Eye Tattoo.  The colors are much more vibrant in person, camera phones don’t do it justice. 

When I started this I planned on having more than two photos, but I haven’t uploaded any others to the computer yet.  Guess it’ll have to wait for next time. 

Hope all is well with everyone!

Caitlin

Well it’s official.  I received my Acceptance Letter from the University of Aberdeen by email today!! 

“I am pleased to inform you that your application for admission as a postgraduate student to the University of Aberdeen was approved on behalf of the Senate today.”  *Jumping for joy*

I have to try not to get too excited though.  I still have a long way to go before it’s official official official ( :  My next step is to apply for US Federal Aid called the FAFSA.  My only chance (unless by some miracle I win the lottery) is to get student loans.  The FAFSA has never been my favorite process, but I am hoping to recieve enough aid since I do not have to file my parents financial information this year.  I am considered an independent since I will be starting a Master’s Degree program. 

The FAFSA is a US Federal Financial Aid program that helps give out student loans to those in need to fund their education.  If you are under 24 years old and applying for a degree such as an Associates or a Bachelors you have to include your parents income on the application.  For many people this is more of a hindrance, because for a lot of people, their parents are not able to support/fund their studies.  If the FAFSA shows you and your parents make “too much” money then it limits the amount of student loans you are eligible for.  Unfortunately this only looks at income and not outcome. This is what happened to me and why I had to stay local while going to school.  I’m not saying this was  a bad thing.  I was lucky to recieve my degree where I did and for as little as it cost me.  But I am ready to branch out and experience more of this world!  I really feel that this is going to happen for me. 

I’m remembering to take this one step at a time and to stay positive.  I’ll be very busy this weekend making sure I email back the documents accepting my offer and making sure I fill out the FAFSA right.  This is going to be a time consuming process.  Once I apply for the FAFSA I have to call them and have them mail my results to me so that I can mail them to Aberdeen.  Then of course, wait while Aberdeen reviews the documents and lets me know what I qualify for.  I get so impatient!  I love to plan and it makes it hard when I have no idea if I’ll be in a different country in seven months.

In other news, I have been trying to keep my mind off of school by keeping busy at work and hanging out with friends.  Just yesterday my friends and I went and competed in a karaoke contest.  I have apparently qualified for a chance to compete in a national karaoke contest with a prize of $5000.  I also didn’t read the rules, so I have to wait for an information packet to explain exactly what I have gotten myself into.  It would be awesome to have the chance to win that money though!  I certainly could use it for my studies.  Wish me luck and I’ll keep everyone posted!

Caitlin

I hope everyone is doing well!

I’ve been very busy the last few weeks with work and just life in general, but I wanted to get on here and say hello.   Did anyone else enjoy the Super Bowl?  It was a great game and I was very excited for the Packers, which is funny because I’m a Minnesota Vikings fan (and it almost felt like a sin to root for the rival Packers for the big game).  I love football!  

 I’m still waiting for news on my application.  I’m getting very anxious to get things moving along with filing taxes and applying for financial aid. 

For Christmas my best friend gave me a book called ‘Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette:  Scotland’ by Jamie Grant.  I haven’t read all of it yet, but there were a couple sections which I thought were interesting.  I’m curious to know if this book is fairly acurate.   It’s a weird concept for me to think there can be a book regarding customs and a way of life for people in a specific country.  I’m sure there are books about the US, but in my mind there are so many different cultures and ethnicities in the US, I don’t know how you could make a general concensus on how the culture is in a country. 

Anyways, here’s what Grant had to say about flirting: “Flirting in some ways is a much subtler affair  in Scotland than in many other cultures.  Men in particular tend to be shy when it comes to approaching, or “chatting” up a woman…Alcohol loosens tongues and gives men and women an excuse to relax and flirt.  Scots are much more forward when they are drunk.”  I hope this isn’t always the case.  I guess that means I’ll have a tough time flirting, because I don’t tend to drink very much.  I don’t want it to be off putting, especially because I don’t like beer.  I know it’s shocking!  On a more positive note, Grants says, “There is a strong sense of monogamy within relationships”. 

On Manners, Grant states, “Being polite is very important in Scotland.  The Scots pride themselves on their hospitality and friendliness, and are generally cautious and respectful of their fellow human beings.  ‘Please’, ‘thanks pal’, and ‘sorry’ punctuate most coversations.  If you bump into someone, its likely that they will fire off an apology before you do”.  I can tell you I have never heard anyone say anything negative about Scotland in this regard at all.  In fact I’ve also been told how wonderful the Scottish people are.  I’m very excited to find out for myself and to meet some fantastic people.

Let me know what you think.  I think I will post more excerpts from Jamie Grant’s ’Culture Shock’ book as I read through it.   

Stay safe,

Caitlin

The worst part in applying for grad school is the waiting.  Which is made even worse, because I have to wait twice as long applying for a grad school overseas.  When I mailed my application to Scotland the US Postal Service stated it would take 6-10 days and it cost me $14!  If a few papers cost that much I’m afraid to even think of what shipping any of my belongings over there would cost ( I will definitely be looking into alternative shipping methods when the time comes).   I have to wait 6-10 days for my application to be recieved, another 21 days for them to process the application and make a decision, then another 6- 10 days to recieve those results.  So while I’m here patiently waiting I guess I will talk about the actual application process.

I was surprised how fairly simple it was applying for the University of Aberdeen.  I was required to fill out an application, have one academic reference, certified copies of my diploma certificates, certified transcripts, and a personal statement.  The application was general, most of the questions asked are exactly what you see when applying to US schools.  The biggest difference was format and vocabulary.  I wanted my application to be as perfect as it could be so my research went in to how exactly do I date my application.  The US uses mm/dd/yy on the other hand the UK uses dd/mm/yy.  You would think this would be simple but when you’ve been trained since kindergarten to date a specific way- it is hard to change that.  I didn’t want the date to hinder my application, but luckily that is just a little change. 

There were several other terms used on the application that the US does not use.  Such as instead of asking for First Middle and Last name, they asked for Surname and Forename.  I also believe it was the first time I’ve seen the term outwith instead of outside.  The last and most confusing part of the application was determing the UK undergraduate degree classification.  On the application I was asked what the result of my degree was.  In the example I was give: 1st class/2nd upper class.  I had no idea what that meant.  I still do not fully understand the grading scale, because from what I could find, it appears it is slightly different in Scotland than it is in England.  The US uses a grade point average (GPA)based on a letter grade (A-F) you recieve on a 4.0 scale.  For example if my grade point average for my college career was 3.8 that would be the result I was asked for on my application.  I was able to find a table that converted GPAs to the UK degree classification.  I’m still crossing my fingers I was right because some schools convert your results differently than others.  The whole grading system is very confusing and I really don’t think I know it enough to attempt to explain more than I have ( :  If any of you understand please let me know!

The biggest difference between grad school in the US and Scotland was it doesn’t appear that I have to take a standardized test.  In the US grad students have to take the GRE.  The GRE is a test that evaluates your readiness for post-graduate work.  I do not know what the requirements are for international students coming to the US and if they have to take this test or one similar.

I found the hardest part of the application process was the personal statement.  What exactly does a postgraduate school in Scotland want in a personal statement?  Granted they give you some questions to answer, but I kept doubting myself.  I know what US schools want, but I couldn’t be sure with UK schools.  I don’t know anyone else who has applied to study overseas to ask either.  There were so many questions; how long should it be, are there slang terms I use in the US that I wouldn’t even realize as slang overseas, etc.  I also wanted to find a balance in my statement to show that I’m not cocky but confident.   Overall the process of applying to school was as it always is-STRESSFUL!  I was so relieved to have it done and over with.  Now it’s time for me to go back to (patiently) waiting…

Caitlin