After one year in Osaka, Japan, I have returned to Sunny South Florida.

So much has happened over the last year. From August 22, 2014 to August 18, 2015 I lived in Osaka, Japan and attend college at Kansai Gaidai. I also had the chance while there to visit other countries in Asia; Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and India. Unfortunately I ended up being too busy to post the way I had hoped to on this blog.

As I have now returned to South Florida I will slowly be posting all of the amazing experiences I had while abroad as well as my new experiences that are about to begin.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

One step closer...

The process just to have the opportunity to study abroad has had a lot more steps than I first anticipated. I thought you just filled out a form, kept your GPA up and received a few signatures from the department. Nope...there were many steps involved and it has taken almost a year to get to this point.
  
  • Step 1 - Get general information on the program (July/ August 2013)
  • Step 2 - Have individual meeting with study abroad staff to determine the best program for me. (August 14 & 16, 2013)
  • Step 3 - August 28, 2013 found out I was approved by my department to study abroad for two semesters.
  • Step 4 - Meet with the Asian Studies Department to figure out how to set up my class schedule in order to fulfill all necessary classes on the home campus and abroad in order to graduate on time.
  • Step 5 - October 2, 2013 attend a study abroad welcome back reception. Here is where I had a chance to meet other students who recently returned from their specific study abroad programs.
  • Step 6 - Apply with FIU's Study Abroad department for the specific program desired. (write an essay, receive recommendations and have a medical physical done). (December 2013)
  • Step 7 - Keep grades up, as a 3.0 GPA is necessary in order to study abroad.
  • Step 8 - Apply for study abroad specified scholarships (write essays and request recommendations) all while classes are still in session. (December 2013/January 2014)
  • Step 9 - Meet with Study Abroad advisor to discuss my scholarship application. (January 2014)
  • Step 10 - Have an interview session with the FIU study Abroad Department (4 people).
  • Step 11 - Once accepted by FIU, wait for an invitation email to apply to Kansai Gaidai University (KGU).
  • Step 12 - Attend FIU's acceptance meeting. (March 25, 2014)
  • Step 13 - Wait super impatiently for acceptance to KGU.
  • Step 14 - Pre-Departure meeting with all study abroad students at FIU. (April 25, 2014)
  • Step 15 - Apply to KGU (write an essay, receive recommendations and have a medical physical done). (April/May 2014)
  • Step 16 - Once accepted, May 23, 2014, purchase a plane ticket and send information on travel to both schools. (May 29, 2014)
  • Step 17 - Find a place to live, since I was not interested in living in the dorm. I found a share house that I will be staying in less than 10 minutes from the school; private rooms and cheap rent. (May/June 2014)
  • Step 18 - Wait impatiently again for the Certificate of Eligibility from the Ministry of Japan allowing me to apply for my student visa. I was checking the KGU site almost everyday for it to say the letter had been sent. Here is where I am finally at...it arrived today via DHL delivery service. WooHoo!!! Now I have one thing left to do before I can get on the plane. (Aug. 21, 2014)
 
  • Step 19 - Apply for my student visa from the Japanese Consulate of Miami. They say it should only take 4 or 5 days. Here is hoping that is what happens. I will visit them next Monday as this week is filled with Japanese finals and the writing of a 10 page paper on my internship. Wish me luck.
  • Step 20 - Receive my student visa.
  • Step 21 - Pack and say goodbye to friends and family.
  • Step 22 - Hop on my initial flight with two other girls from FIU and head to Japan August 21st.
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