Step one: Decide to study abroad
"I really don't adjust to new situations well, I don't make friends very easily, and I tend to panic a lot, I am probably the last person on earth who belongs in a study abroad program. It literally took me two and a half years to adjust to UW, I'll just stay here..."
"I suppose it's a once in a lifetime opportunity"
"That's the one thing I regret, not studying abroad as an undergrad, all my friends that did it and loved it."
Step two: Choose program
"So how does study abroad work? What's the difference between direct exchange and all the other ones?... okay, I would need a program that gets me back here by December for sure, and I don't really want to go to Paris. These four? Okay, I'll look into them."
"Go to Montpellier, ohmygosh I can tell you all about it if you want. Ahh, I want to go back so bad. I loved it."
"Wait, so it's all going to be in French? I can't do, like, half English half French?"
Fall 2012
Step three: Apply using an essay with just the right amount of fluff
"There are several ways in which this experience would benefit me, both professionally and personally...I believe that...makes me well-qualified for this exchange...I spent roughly five months researching all possible exchanges...help the student grow as a person, and allows the student to gain a more global and holistic point of view..."
Winter 2012/13
Step four: Acceptance
"I was accepted into the study abroad program!...I'm nervous, I can still back out, I don't really want to go anymore, I should stay."
"Okay...I'm officially going, I hit 'accept.'"
Step five: Apply for visa, a process I would only wish upon my enemies
"Hello, you have reached the French consulate in San Francisco, our hours of operation are..."
"Required documents to bring to your visa appointment: one application form, a copy of the student's oficial letter of acceptance, email message from Campus France, receipt for payment issued by Campus France, one recent photograph in U.S. passport format, original and one photocopy of passport, visa applicaiton and processing fee, original and one copy of proof of sufficient means of support, airline ticket or reservation, original and one copy of proof of residence, an express mail envelope."
Step six: Buy ticket
"I guess as long as I'm in Europe I can stop by in Poland"
"Do you guys mind picking me up at the airport? Really, eight hours away?"
"This is so frustrating!! The stupid website can't find a connecting flight like this. The stupid thing isn't even letting me buy the stupid ticket! This is so stupid!"
Summer 2013:
Step Seven: Pick up visa (because apparently it's like adopting a foreign baby)
"Did you actually have to fly to San Francisco to get your visa? You couldn't just, like, fax your papers in or something?"
Step eight: buy things...buy all the things...buy so many things
"My bank account is starting to look anorexic."
Step nine: drown in paperwork, fret, fret, fret a lot more
"I don't understand these words, I've been studying French for six years and I still can't understand this. What are they saying??"
Step ten: goodbye party
