Take Two!

Hello!
Sorry you had to wait so long for another post! I've been extremely stressed out with this visa application process. I waited approximately 4 weeks for them to send back my passport. It arrived in Florida in perfect time for Nelson's aunt to bring it up to me here in Maryland. However, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I received a letter along with my passport. In the letter it said "Refusal of Entry Clearance"!!!!! How is this possible!
Turns out that because I claimed being accepted to a University in the U.K. I was supposed to mail my acceptance letter to the British Consulate General, along with my passport. So, I had to pay all the fees all over again, as well as attend yet another biometrics appointment. My application arrived to the Consulate on Saturday 27th December, 2008 so I am basically just waiting for them to begin processing it.
I'm hoping that second times the charm for me because I don't have time to wait for a third time! I will continue to keep you updated on the status of my application as soon as I get any further information!

Wish me Luck!

The Reason It Takes Forever To Get A Visa!

So,  on Saturday I received a large envelope in the mail from the British Consulate regarding my Visa!  I was extremely excited, until I opened it.  Inside was my application that I sent about 2 weeks ago.  I was very confused, and continued to read the attached letter.  Apparently my application was incomplete.  I had not included one of those little Walgreens passport sized photos that make you look like a yeti.  I kept reading.  PASSPORT REQUIRED!  I had to actually mail in my physical passport!  

After freaking out a little, I looked up the hours to the Fedex Kinkos that is right up the street from UCF and realized they are open 24 hours a day.  I got in the car and drove over there.  Paid for overnight shipping and was told it will arrive Tuesday morning, which is the deadline! Talk about good timing!  Although it was stressful, at least i will sleep tonight knowing that my application is OFFICIALLY on its way to being processed!

I will let you know when it has been received!    xoxo

Visas and Biometrics

Hi again!  So, i finally submitted my Student Visa Application to obtain a student visa to be able to remain in England for 5 months.  It was a long and tedious process.  The application was an estimated 24 pages long and they basically want to know your life story.  Upon completing my application I submitted it Online and was told to make a Biometrics appointment!  So, on Tuesday November 4th, 2008,  (voting day!)  I had my appointment.

At the appointment, they took an absolutely hideous picture of me and documented my fingerprints in a weird computer system.  I was in and out very quickly, but it took me forever to find the place!  It was supposed to only be about a 20 minute drive and ended up being a 45 minute drive! ugh!  But I was able to get there on time and do what i had to do!

Next step is to be approved for my student visa and purchase my plane ticket!

I will keep you updated!

Classes!

So, upon receiving my acceptance letter, I was told which classes I will be taking while attending the University of Surrey.  Tourism Leisure & Society, Gastronomy, Tourism Theory in Practice, and Consumer Behavior.  The Descriptions of all these classes is on the Module Website.  

Gastronomy, is the exploration of cuisine!  Fancy sounding huh?!  In this class we will explore a wide range of cuisines as well as do an overview of the changes of Gastronomy in the UK.  I think Gastronomy and Tourism Theory in Practice will be my two favorite classes of the four.  Tourism Theory in Practice is described by the Module website as follows:

"The module is centred on an international field trip with the objective to enable students to experience first hand the complex practices and processes involved in tourist destination marketing, management, planning and development. The module encourages students to adopt a critical approach to analysing a tourist destination, and to draw on insight gained by hands-on experience in researching and addressing tourism marketing, tourism management, tourism planning and sustainability issues."

 This looks exciting considering we will actually be doing some fieldwork!  I'm sure it won't be anything extraordinary but it will definitely be an experience to remember!

I can't wait to give you more pictures and information about England! 

xoxo

Hey Everyone!

So, I have officially began my journey!  On Wednesday October 22, 2009 I received an e-mail confirming my acceptance into the University of Surrey in England!!!! How exciting!  

Anyway, I will be blogging here to let you know what is going on every step of the way.  Plus, doing this will allow me to fully understand my experiences once I am back in the United States.  My guidance counselor on the program suggested we journal every step of the way so when we are back from the U.K. we can look back and trully reflect on our trip!

I will keep you posted!

xoxo