Chicago Excursion #1

On Today's Menu: The Spanish Consulate, The Visa, and Me

"Next day new steps were to be taken: my plans could no longer be confined to my own breast; I must impart them in order to achieve their success."

--excerpt from Jane Eyre

I have discovered first hand that obtaining a visa takes a lot out of a person. Monumental amounts of paperwork must be filled out, fees paid, proof of admission to your chosen school provided, insurance details taken care of, yadda, yadda, ya. What's more is that the Spanish Consulate requires all applicants to apply in person and then, upon approval, return to the consulate to pick up their visa, again in person. Doesn't really sound like a big deal, but when I live in Kentucky and the Spanish Consulate is located in downtown Chicago...kinda becomes a big deal. I wonder if a personal appearance is required by other country's consulates...or is this just Spain's policy? Hm.

Anyway, after spending the past month gathering all the necessary information to make said visa approval possible, I traveled this weekend to Chicago to make my first appearance at the Spanish Consulate. Fortunately, I didn't have to go it alone on this one--thankfully my dad came along for this particular part of the journey. His accompaniment was most appreciated, especially since I was overwrought with anxiety and the fact that Chicago is a rather large city where I had absolutely no idea as to how to get anywhere with much ease. And so, despite my apprehension, together we tromped through the miserable cold and rain, admittedly made a couple wrong turns, but eventually found the consulate, and ahead of our scheduled appointment time!

I don't know, really, what I was expecting...maybe an interview, maybe I would be required to fill out more paperwork...not sure. What happened was: I walked into this small waiting room with about ten chairs seated right in the middle of the room, walls totally bare, about four students and one Spaniard lingering around, and one women seated at a desk behind three sliding glass windows...you know, like the ones you see in doctor's offices? There was no where to sign in, no numbers taken...it was weird. Dad told me to go to the window and tell the lady I was here for my appointment and she very abruptly told me to go sit down...didn't take my name...nada...very weird. Anyway, she worked with a few of the other students and when she finally looked at me said, "Well, you're next. Get up here." Hmmm. I walked up there. "Get out your paperwork." So I got out the paperwork. She didn't read a thing or ask me any questions, but proceeded to make numerous stamps and markings on each of the papers. "Where is your police report?" Police report? What police report? I need a police report? I told her this. "I can't approve your application without a police report." Okay...aaaaaaand panic attack. Apparently, since the program I am entering lasts two years, there are other documents needed to go along with my application. I was completely unaware. Fortunately, she said I had enough documentation to be approved for six months, after which I will have to return to the states to do this entire lovely process aaallll over again. Imagine my excitement. But, I guess that is better than the alternative, though. She could have not approved me at all and then I wouldn't be able to begin the program until next fall. Also, this way I will get to come home and see my family...see how I am choosing to focus on the positive here?

So. When it comes to the visa thing all I have to do at this point is sit and wait. I will have to write to the consulate via email in six weeks to "check my status" and see about getting an appointment to come and pick it up. This means another trip to Chicago...in the dead of winter...for a five minute "appointment." Oh well...so be it! No one said it would be easy! And it's one more thing I can check off the To-Do-List!

I'm A Nerd

On Today's Menu: I Love School!

It's officially official. I have officially been accepted by the Universidad de San Luis in Madrid, officially declared my confirmation of attendance to the school, and am now an official student of SLU. Yeehaw!

The past month has been an absolute whirlwind of pragmatism, anticipation, and interminable anxiety. But I assure you, faithful reader, things are steadily coming together. My advisors at SLU have been nothing but helpful and so far, every administrator I have been in contact with has actually made me feel that they would be pleased if I did, in fact, attend their institution. I'm sad to say it, but I think somewhere in the previous years I became too conditioned to UK's perspective on academia...they don't give a crap if you attend their school in hopes of actually learning something useful, they are just happy to see your tuition paid. No offense UK lovers; this is just one lowly graduate's scrupulous observation.

Anyway. The past two weeks have been spent emailing back and forth with my academic advisor (who is in Madrid) and together we have formulated a master academic plan! According to this plan I should be able to complete the program in two years...which is great news to me because, well, this little endeavor is gonna cost me one pretty penny. I figure two years is definitely enough time for me to get a firm grasp on the language and culture, but it is also short enough that it won't send me into the deepest and darkest of debt abysses.

My first semester I will have fifteen hours, which isn't bad since I will not be working. Here's my plan for Spring '10:

✏ Spanish Written Communication (3hrs)

✏ Spanish Oral Communication (3hrs)

✏ International Culture and Ethics (3hrs)

✏ Religion and Culture (3hrs)

✏ Intercultural Communications (3hrs) -- subject to change.

I will have to complete these basic courses before jumping into the real meat of the study program. It's just like any other school: "standard education requirements must be fulfilled by every permanent student prior to disciplinary studies." You can read all about it in the fine print. Still, in looking ahead, the classes my advisor has lined up for me in future semesters sound most intriguing...I'm pretty excited. Just call me Nerd.