Visas and iphones

Just got my hands on a new iPhone and I'm blogging from it for the
first time. I recently got my visa back in the mail and will be
posting some pictures of it soon. This means I'm really getting close
to leaving. It's really weird to be getting so close to leaving. It's
a strange feeling but I'm getting used to it. Hopefully things will
go better then I think they will right now. Anyways visa pictures
coming soon. Enjoy!

Accepted.

I received the following e-mail today:

Dear Greg Hodges,



I hope all is well. This email is to let you know that your student visa
has been approved and issued by the Spanish Consulate of Chicago.

Your visa is a sticker placed on one of the blank pages of your
passport. Included with your passport/visa will be the original version
of your visa application. You should bring these documents to Spain in
case you lose your passport, as it will make replacing your visa easier.

Best,

Megan

So it's official. I'm heading to Spain.

Why So Serious?

Apprehension. I can say I truly know what this word means at this point. Over the last 6 months I have been caught up in the anticipation that a trip to another country would naturally bring. However, I'm starting to have certain anxiety about my time in Spain. Strangely, it's not about what's going to happen to me while in Spain, but rather what's going to happen here without me. I'm sure so many things will change while I'm gone and I can't help but feel left out of my own life. Although I will miss my friends, family, and girlfriend, I know they will all continue to live life without me. I will continue to do the same. I will find new friends, I will have new experiences which I will treasure throughout my life.

Even though I am sure I will have a great time, I am beginning to become apprehensive about the upcoming semester. Is it worth it? Can I even compare the time I would spend here with my loved ones to the time I would spend discovering a new culture and myself? Only time will tell.

I have only six weeks and one day left until I must board my flight and head to my temporary life as a Spanish student. Things are about to get much more serious than I had originally thought.

We'll see if it's worth it.

Visas and Preparation: An Introduction

This will be the first of what will hopefully be many blog posts while I am preparing for/in Spain. In the last couple months I have begun preparations for my trip to Spain. After my initial application (which I completed on the required due date), I was accepted to the program and began to start the visa application process.

For those who have never applied for a visa to another country, it is quite a process. Each country has its own specific standards and requirements for applying for a student visa. Luckily for me, Spain has some of the most stringent standards for applying for a student visa. I was required to fill out two applications, include 4 passport sized photos, receive a physical, send my passport, 2 copies of my passport, a notarized letter saying that my study abroad company was my legal representative, and a money order for 100$ USD. As a service, my study abroad organization (CIEE) set up a group visa appointment so that each student did not have to travel to their respective consulate. Seeing as the consulate for Detroit is located in Chicago, I thought that this would save me a lot of hassle and expenses. However, this was not exactly the case. The process turned out to be quite stressful seeing as my (now former) bank managed to give me an official check instead of a money order. After returning the check and sending two overnight packages and incurring the charges for two overnight packages, I had spent around 100$ for shipping and other fees. However, all my necessary materials arrived on time to be taken to the visa appointment. As of this point I am waiting to hear back on the status of my visa. As long as my application is accepted I will be enjoying Spain in less than two months. If not I'm going to have to scramble for a back up plan...