I haven't left the country yet but still the journey began a long time ago, last summer when I started to dream about sandy Californian beaches. I've made a map from Dream to Reality via a long Application Process.
The Time Line has the following stops:
Thinking: California...nice
I have a dream...
Oct: Application (LTH)
Writing study plans that wont hold and a Statement of Purpose with every cliché (expand my horizons and so on) but not the the truth (girls just wanna have fun). When applying to UC the competition is fierce so always have a plan B.
Nov: Application interview
Only UC applicants. Code word "STARS" (= Students' abroad reporting system) and the enemy will love you.
Dec: Nomination
Hopefully not the end station.
Dec: Rewrite application (UC)
Rewrite the application, this time directed to UC officials. The goals is to get them to place you at the campus of your dreams (Santa Barbara off course).
Dec: IELTS / TOEFL
Inglish tests. Raiting, lissning, spiking and riding, jo hav to shåo dat jo kän kåmjonikeit in inglish.
Dec: Results IELTS / TOEFL
Don't fail. The test costs about 2000 SEK.
May: Campus placement
Time is relative here: plus-minus one month.
Jun: Money, money
Apply for CSN.
Jun: Visa
Get started on the visa application, book an appointment at the embassy a few weeks in advance.
Jun: Hotel California
Find housing. I didn't get it on campus but a second look on California Housing Board gave results *Waving to my roomies*.
Jun: Book flight tickets
STA travel had cheap tickets from CPH to Santa Barbara airport. In this case cheap means $1000.
Jul: Course enrollment
You wish. Contact professors, maybe you'll get an approval code so you're able to register for a course, but probably you won't even get an email, or my favorite: "Drop by my office" - yeah, I'll ask my secretary to schedule a transatlantic flight next Tuesday (I'm not bitter!).
Sep: GO!
Next stop...
The Time Line has the following stops:
Thinking: California...nice
I have a dream...
Oct: Application (LTH)
Writing study plans that wont hold and a Statement of Purpose with every cliché (expand my horizons and so on) but not the the truth (girls just wanna have fun). When applying to UC the competition is fierce so always have a plan B.
Nov: Application interview
Only UC applicants. Code word "STARS" (= Students' abroad reporting system) and the enemy will love you.
Dec: Nomination
Hopefully not the end station.
Dec: Rewrite application (UC)
Rewrite the application, this time directed to UC officials. The goals is to get them to place you at the campus of your dreams (Santa Barbara off course).
Dec: IELTS / TOEFL
Inglish tests. Raiting, lissning, spiking and riding, jo hav to shåo dat jo kän kåmjonikeit in inglish.
Dec: Results IELTS / TOEFL
Don't fail. The test costs about 2000 SEK.
May: Campus placement
Time is relative here: plus-minus one month.
Jun: Money, money
Apply for CSN.
Jun: Visa
Get started on the visa application, book an appointment at the embassy a few weeks in advance.
Jun: Hotel California
Find housing. I didn't get it on campus but a second look on California Housing Board gave results *Waving to my roomies*.
Jun: Book flight tickets
STA travel had cheap tickets from CPH to Santa Barbara airport. In this case cheap means $1000.
Jul: Course enrollment
You wish. Contact professors, maybe you'll get an approval code so you're able to register for a course, but probably you won't even get an email, or my favorite: "Drop by my office" - yeah, I'll ask my secretary to schedule a transatlantic flight next Tuesday (I'm not bitter!).
Sep: GO!
Next stop...
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