So today I made the trek to San Francisco to apply for my study visa at the Consolato Generale d'Italia a San Francisco (Italian Consulate). I had all my paperwork in order per the checklist given to me from Pepperdine. I went through the whole process of gathering everything from that checklist. For some reason unknown to me, I decided that was okay. It did not occur to me to check the SF Consulate page. Seems their checklist differed a little bit. I didn't figure that out until I got there. You can say I was a little stressed. More accurately, I was sweating bullets and felt like vomiting. What was comforting me a little is the fact that the SF Consulate does not take appointments so worse case scenario, I'd just go back another day.
Getting into the building, I presented the Consular with my packet and the documents I had. He inspected every single piece of paper I had on there and I was just waiting for the moment where he told me that I was missing something or that he couldn't process my application. Finally, he stopped going though my papers and said, "you're missing a photocopy" (my heart sank) "Just go down two blocks to the UPS store, photocopy this letter and bring it back. You won't have to stand in line and we'll get you out of here as soon as possible." HUGE weight lifted off my shoulders.
Applying for this visa was so stressful but once he stamped my application and said "okay great, we have everything, thank you" I felt so relieved and accomplished. This is just one step closer to Florence! (70 days and counting!)
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Real Purpose
So maybe I should explain this little detail. A couple of years ago when Pepperdine's International Programs Office created an official Media Coordinator position, one of the big duties of the IPMC was to create and manage a blog that would be updated for the school and family/friends to see what the group was up to. This job has been removed and replaced by the monthly Check-In videos and end of the year Photo Collection.
Although I am doing this on my own, I do like the original intent of the IPMC blog. So while this will be partially personal with my own posts, I will include group events, stories, photos, and videos on this blog.
I feel like this is an excellent way for family and friends to stay updated on our activities next year.
Again, this blog is personal and of my own doing. This blog is in no way officially affiliated with Pepperdine University or it's International Programs Office, particularly the Florence, Italy 2012-2013 Program.
Thank you.
Although I am doing this on my own, I do like the original intent of the IPMC blog. So while this will be partially personal with my own posts, I will include group events, stories, photos, and videos on this blog.
I feel like this is an excellent way for family and friends to stay updated on our activities next year.
Again, this blog is personal and of my own doing. This blog is in no way officially affiliated with Pepperdine University or it's International Programs Office, particularly the Florence, Italy 2012-2013 Program.
Thank you.
Just an introduction
So I decided...what the heck? Let me start up this blog to document what's going to happen when I study abroad in Florence during my sophomore year at Pepperdine University.
Of course, this brilliant idea came to me at about 3am and here I am, 3:38 am, writing this first post.
Now, I'm not even sure who the intended audience of this is...or if there even will be one. I mean, this is linked to my Google+ account and God knows I only have like 5 friends in my "circles" or whatever. That being said, I'm going to post on this in hopes that people will read it. And if not, I'm going to pretend they are; just like how I'm doing right about now!
Believe me, this'll be a lot more interesting come September when I, along with 44 (give-or-take) other Pepperdine students, depart LAX and head to Italy for a whole academic year!
Why am I writing this right now, though? All the way in the middle of June? Well, the answer is simple: I'm way too excited to just sit around these next 75 days until we leave (yes, I am counting down the days). Oh man, I've been downloading travel apps to my iPhone like crazy. Can't use them yet, but I have them!
Anyway, I should promote this or something. I can't be the only one reading this (#foreveralone). Shameless Facebook/Twitter self-promoting plugs to come...once this'll actually get interesting, of course. I really don't know how this all works but I guess this is also linked to my YouTube channel, which if you're reading this (but I know you aren't), you should subscribe to that, too. As the Florence 2012-2013 Media Coordinator, I will be posting many MANY videos of our time abroad. It'll be awesome. Trust me.
Well, you're bored already, aren't you? Don't lie to me. I'll end the first post here with the promise that this'll all be so much more interesting in a few short months. Until next time, nobody! Somebody.......?
Of course, this brilliant idea came to me at about 3am and here I am, 3:38 am, writing this first post.
Now, I'm not even sure who the intended audience of this is...or if there even will be one. I mean, this is linked to my Google+ account and God knows I only have like 5 friends in my "circles" or whatever. That being said, I'm going to post on this in hopes that people will read it. And if not, I'm going to pretend they are; just like how I'm doing right about now!
Believe me, this'll be a lot more interesting come September when I, along with 44 (give-or-take) other Pepperdine students, depart LAX and head to Italy for a whole academic year!
Why am I writing this right now, though? All the way in the middle of June? Well, the answer is simple: I'm way too excited to just sit around these next 75 days until we leave (yes, I am counting down the days). Oh man, I've been downloading travel apps to my iPhone like crazy. Can't use them yet, but I have them!
Anyway, I should promote this or something. I can't be the only one reading this (#foreveralone). Shameless Facebook/Twitter self-promoting plugs to come...once this'll actually get interesting, of course. I really don't know how this all works but I guess this is also linked to my YouTube channel, which if you're reading this (but I know you aren't), you should subscribe to that, too. As the Florence 2012-2013 Media Coordinator, I will be posting many MANY videos of our time abroad. It'll be awesome. Trust me.
Well, you're bored already, aren't you? Don't lie to me. I'll end the first post here with the promise that this'll all be so much more interesting in a few short months. Until next time, nobody! Somebody.......?
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