The World in Britain

It’s wonderful to have my passport back with the visa sticker in it. My application arrived at the consulate on Monday (the 14th) and I received my visa a week later (the 21st). My financial information, acceptance letter, and both transcripts were also returned… the transcripts unopened. I found that slightly bizarre. Why ask for it if you’re not going to read it…? Oh well. Now I have two official transcripts handy in case I need them!

I’m trying to go through my clothing and separate things into “need to have” “would like to have” “don’t really need” and “definitely leaving at home.” I know rationally that I could get by fine with two pairs of jeans, three t-shirts, three long-sleeved shirts, a jacket, a scarf, a dress, and underclothes. But what fun is that? And so the quest continues. I’ve looked through photos that ‘07-’08 Readingites took (thanks Megan S!) to see what they’re wearing… I see a lot of long sleeves and scarves. I see very few t-shirts - they’re probably too casual? I wonder how many clothes I’ll buy there, how many I’ll never wear once I get there, and how many pairs of shoes can possibly fit into one suitcase. Rain boots, sneakers, sandals, slip-ons, boots… and I need a pair of pumps, as my old ones died. Hm.

I also find myself wondering what everyone else is going to bring in terms of music and movies - there’d be no sense in having three copies of Pirates of the Caribbean in the same house (I’m not bringing mine)! I have so many questions… I sent a list of them to five of my friends who just returned from Reading… I’ll probably post some of the more vital tidbits here or on Facebook once they reply… So excited! Another day closer.

This summer has been a whirlwind between getting everything together for my entry clearance, driving an hour to get my biometric data taken, and trying to plan what to pack.  I finally sent off my entry clearance application on Tuesday and it feels great to have it finished.  Now I’m waiting to get my stamped passport back and I’m making plans for everything I want to do over in England.

I’ve been reading a lot about England, including the hilarious book that Dr. Irwin recommended, Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson.  It is a great look at British culture and each page I read makes me more and more excited! I’m planning all the places that I want to go to and all the things I want to do.  I cannot wait to get on that Virgin Atlantic plane on August 29th!

However, with all the excitement comes nerves.  It almost feels like starting college all over again, but with more excitement.  I don’t really know exactly what to expect, but the unknown is what makes this venture so appealing.  Now what is really nerve-wracking is the prospect of packing! I can’t believe Elysia’s already packed! I have a panic attack each time I think about how little space I have and how much stuff I want to take along.  Maybe I should start thinking about it so that leaving shoes behind isn’t so traumatic when the time comes to pack up the suitcase…

As I get closer and closer to that departure date, I am experiencing such a conglomerate of emotions, I can’t even begin to piece them together! I am excited, and anxious, terrified,  stressed out, happy, scared, nervous - and thats just the tip of the iceburg. I have bought my plane ticket, finished my visa application, and am waiting solely on my biometrics appt to be completely in the clear for my trip. Once approved for entry clearance, I am ready to go! I am even already packed, which is sort of pathetic, but I am so excited to get there, I can hardly wait! I have a list of all the things I MUST see, a list of all the things I would like to see given the opportunity, and a list of things that, if not seen, would not crush my spirit. Thinking about being in England, studying British Literature and psychology there, and soaking up the culture is making me anxious with anticipation.

 This past week my boyfriend came to vacation with me in Montana, and as I was driving him to the airport in Denver, I realized that in just 5 short weeks, I will be going to an airport, and leaving my friends, family - all I have ever known for a year! It hit me kind of hard, and although I am so excited to experience this amazing opportunity, I realized for the first time just what this trip means. I am leaving. No turning back - and while its scary, its thrilling at the same time. I want this experience to change me forever. I know it will, and for the better!

There’s a month and a half left until we arrive in Reading, and stress levels are high! Some of us have yet to fill out the Visa application, some of us are waiting for our biometric data appointments, and some of us have mailed in our packets and have nothing to do but wait. It’s rather disconcerting to show up at a Homeland Security office for fingerprinting and be met with guns and a metal detector, but such is the world we live in today. That being said, I personally had a positive experience - the guards were amiable and helpful, and the lady who took me through the process was chatty and warm. So far this bodes well for the journey - I can only hope to get my stamped passport back in time to make a brief stop in France before continuing to Reading! It’s a little intimidating to think of getting to Whiteknights on my own, but it seems an appropriate beginning to my stay in England.

I’m really excited to think of being there… I’d love to start packing today, but somehow I think I’ll need a pair of jeans before then. I find myself sitting and gazing around my room, wondering what I *need* versus what I *want*… knowing that you’re supposed to pack everything you think you’ll need and then take out two-thirds! I’m also wondering what my Readingite sisters (and Curran!) will be bringing with them, and how personalised our rooms will become.

For now I suppose I’ll focus on spending time with family and friends (and my kitty!) before I leave… I know I’ll miss them while I’m overseas. But it’s hard to keep that in mind while I’m so eager to set out!

- Rissa

After seeing those students participating in The World of Britain for 2008-2009 through the application process and beyond,  I am as excited to get them to the UK as they are to get there.  Departure date is August 29th and most of them will take a group flight from Dulles Airport in Washington, DC.  Dr. Randolph Ivy, our director in Reading, will meet them at Heathrow and transport them by coach (bus) to their new homes in Reading.

In the past, one of the most popular features of our web site was Tales from Reading - a collection of journals and essays from students who studied abroad with our program at the University of Reading.  The writing was literate, witty and a joy to read.

Now we hope to continue that tradition as a new generation of “Readingites” shares their England experiences with The World in Britain Blog.

 Enjoy!