Hello Kansas! - The Powers Family (Part 1)

So the 8th of August came and I flew into Kansas City International Airport. What happened next?

I met the lovely Cheryl Powers.

I had been told by the Office of Study Abroad at KU that I was supposed to arrive on August 9th to check in and participate in the International Orientation week. With the time difference and flights and everything I thought I'd be best arriving the day before, deciding to book a shuttle bus from the airport to Lawrence and booking a hotel room for a night.

Me (looking rough) at 2am

Luckily, I didn't have to do either of those things because I signed up for the Family Transportation programme that KU organise and the family that I was assigned to offered me an overnight stay! I couldn't believe it - it saved me a lot of cash and I managed to get in contact with an American family before I even got there! I'm so grateful that KU organised that for me as an International Exchange Student and that the Power's family were so kind to offer that kind of help...

So I met Cheryl as soon as I got off the plane. I was really tired because I hadn't had much sleep but also so excited when I finally landed in Kansas. She seemed to recognise me right away which was great because I was worried I wouldn't be able to recognise her. I remember she picked up another international student from China and since his plane hadn't landed yet, we decided to get a Starbucks.

The first cultural confusion came at this point when I ordered a Caramel Creme Frapauccino and the lady at the counter had no idea what I was saying...and then paying for it because I wasn't used to American money yet. I think Cheryl ended up ordering for me in the end.

So we were sitting with our drinks and Cheryl told me all about her family, which was fascinating - until we heard a scream. We looked around wondering what was going on, until we realised there was a bat flapping about the airport! I was really shocked because I'd never seen one before and Cheryl was really shocked because it was flapping about in broad daylight.

Then we met Simon, who was a nice boy but was rather shy...I think it was a bit harder for him to chat with us because he couldn't speak a lot of english. We got our cases and then Cheryl picked us up at the entrance.

The heat hit me like I'd stepped into a sauna. I really didn't expect Kansas to be that hot, I thought it was more like Scotland in terms of weather but man was I wrong. I was wearing jeans and a vest top and I was sweating. It was over 100 degrees farenheit (that's a big deal when you come from Scotland).

On the drive back to Cheryl's we spoke a bit more and I just couldn't believe I was there. Finally after all that time, I was actually gona be studying in the States!

Then we got to hers and I met her daughter Cara who had studied abroad in London. After we introduced ourselves she asked us what we wanted to do. Shower and sleep...by then I realised how tired I was...I was so excited I forgot about being tired. 

I went to Caleb's old room and got ready for bed...the whole time I kept thinking I can't I'm actually here. Cheryl's house was so beautiful. It was a great way to start off my year abroad, with a family. 

The next day would be my first full day in the United States, and my first day at KU! Read about it this Friday and become a follower of the blog! Comments/questions are always welcome!

See ya in a year!

It wasn't until my last week in Glasgow that it hit me that I was really leaving.

Before that the feeling came and went, the feeling that it was all real that is. Like how I felt when I had been accepted for a visa, then when it came through the post and then when my acceptance letter came through from KU. At all these times I got really excited about moving...

The last week was the time to make plans with all my family and friends seeing as I wouldn't see them again...for a year.

Near the beginning of that week I went out for dinner with my mum, sister, uncle and childhood friends in a more intimate setting. We went to our local Chinese restaurant, the I Chai. The food was delicious and the banter was great. Naturally, because I was leaving we started talking about childhood memories including funny ones, happy ones and even sad and embarrassing ones. It was good to reflect but the sad/embarrassing ones put me in a weird mood. They're the ones you would rather forget and I kinda wish they hadn't brought them up because they made me feel insecure - not the best state to be in when you're planning to start a new life for yourself.

Our matching bracelets (my arm's the weird shaped one)

The next day I met up with my school friends who I'm very close to, even now. We went to a local pub and had a couple of drinks which put us in the mood for going out...so we went clubbing afterwards. It was a really good night and they gave me leaving presents which was a nice surprise. They gave me a photo album with pictures of us all and friendly messages, plus a friendship bracelet and American dollars. I remember how we thought it looked like Monopoly money! I also remember the fire alarm went off in the club and drinking more than what I should've...so I spent all of the next day being hungover.

The day after hangover day I felt really weird. I had a lot of stuff to get sorted but couldn't be arsed with it, everything just felt like an effort. That night I had my leaving night out and so invited everyone including my childhood friends, school friends, cousins, uni friends and friends from Homebase, where I worked. I should have been excited but for some reason I felt sick...I thought it could've been the after-effects of drinking and was suffering from a 2-day hangover but I hadn't felt sick earlier that day. I don't know why but I couldn't enjoy myself at the beginning of the night. I had to go to the toilet at the bar (Firewater) because I felt like I was gonna throw up. My sister and cousin checked to see if I was okay...the more I explained it, the more I realised I was just feeling really sad. Seeing everyone there on my leaving night had just confirmed that I was really leaving...and that it was the last time I would see them again. I knew I would miss them all. It had finally hit me.

The next day I felt really really sad and didn't feel like doing anything. Which was pretty bad because I still had to pack my suitcase and write out thank you cards to everyone who had given me money and gifts. My mum ended up doing most of it (she's way better organised than me!). I decided to give my friends one last call to thank them for their gifts and support, but broke down on the phone. I couldn't stop crying and then my mum started and things got all emotional! It wasn't like I was crying because I didn't want to go, but more because the nerves had finally hit and I was a bit anxious about leaving my safe secure life in Scotland.

Then the leaving day finally came. I was still a little nervous, but more excited - even though it was 2 am. I was surprised I didn't cry at the airport but I think I had done enough the night before I wasn't scared anymore. My mum and sister cried a little bit but I kept telling them, "You'll be glad to get rid of me!"

Then I left.

And eventually landed in Kansas! To hear about my experiences in Kansas become a follower of the blog or check it out next Monday! Comments and questions are always welcome.

Rule Britannia! Britannia Rule the Waves...

Before I could even go to the States I had to get a visa. But did you know that you can't get a visa in Scotland? Nope, you either have to go to London or Belfast...so I decided to make a weekend of it and go to London!

It took me a full day before I eventually got the visa...but it was worth the wait! I spent the whole day being nervous that I would be rejected for some reason, that I would miss the interview or mess it up. But I didn't - woo!

I remember I had to wait in three lines before I could even get inside the American Embassy building. There was one outside, then one for the security checkpoint and then one to actually get in the building...quite tight about their security you see. I waited an hour before Stage 1 which involved me getting my fingerprints taken. This was fine except I walked to the wrong window and then had to go to the right one. It was pretty obvious and pretty embarrasing as I clacked away in my heels. It didn't help that everyone was all tense and quiet, waiting for their own numbers to be called.

Then there was Stage 2...the actual interview. I  was so nervous. I brought a magazine with me so I could distract myself but I was worried that I might miss my number being called, so I barely read it. There were hundreds of faces in the room - people from all different kinds of backgrounds and different ages. I was surprised to see entire families there, waiting around for hours...

I spoke to a couple of people while I was there. It was fascinating to hear their stories, why they were moving and what they did for a living. There was a young woman around 27 who was moving to New York City to become an actress, she had already lived there for a while and was back to renew her visa. Then there was a young guy around 18 who was moving to Rhode Island to become an undergraduate at universtiy there and study zoology. I felt like this was the beginning - when I get to America I will meet people like these, people with different interests from different places.

After about four hours my number finally was called. The interview was fine! The guy was really friendly and asked me all the questions I had been expecting, but it was almost conversational. I think I was lucky to get a really nice guy for the interview. He told me there and then that I had been accepted. My stomach leapt when he told me...the moment had came and finally it was all real. I really was moving to America!

How was your visa experience?? Want to find out more about the visa process? Leave a comment and share your story with us or as a question, I'd be happy to give tips!

Check out the blog next Monday and/or become a follower to find out how I spent my last week in Scotland, before I moved!

Making the financial arrangements...

When I told people about me studying abroad, a question I was often asked was how I managed to afford it. It's understandable to be curious about this and I'm surprised at how I managed to afford it myself, coming from a poorer (but not impoverished) area of Glasgow.

My parents split up when I was younger and I receive no financial support from my father. Living with a single parent with low income, I was entitled to a bursary from the age of sixteen for continuing my education at school.

Although I would spend the £30 a week now and again, I saved my money as much as I could and opened up a savings account. Then, when I got my first part-time job at  17, I saved some more. I decided that I would save as much money as possible and put it towards something useful when I was older.

Also, if you are a Scottish student who studies at a Scottish university, then the (Scottish) government will pay for your education. I was also entitled to a Young Student's Bursary as I couldn't afford all the expenses and my parents can't afford to pay for my education. So I was able save some of this money also.

I also worked a part-time job, working as much overtime as I could in the holidays before the recession hit. The summer before I left, my overtime hours were limited. I had to make compromises to save as much as possible, which meant going out with my friends less.

Working part-time and saving up money from my bursary meant that I had saved over £2000 over four years. Although to study in the exchange - I had to pay my university £6000. Luckily I was able to make payments in several installments which gave me more time to make more money and I was still able to receive a bursary whilst on exchange. Also, because I was on an exchange programme, I had to pay my usual tuition fees back to Stirling and this was done by the government. To cover other charges, I took out a student loan and ensured I could have an overdraft in my bank account.

It also helped that I had amazing support from my family and friends, who gave me money before I left. I had to work hard and make compromises. Also, my university gave us time to pay them back for the interest-free loan they had given us so I was very lucky in that respect and I was lucky to be able to continue receiving a bursary whilst on exchange. Although I have taken a loan which I will now have to pay back, I believe that being in debt for an experience like this was worth it! 

(Also, I have to have a full-time job before I need to pay it back!)

To find out how I got a Visa and my trip to London, become a follower and check out the blog next week!

How did I get here?

As I lay outside my apartment soaking up the hot California sun by the pool, I think to myself...ah, paradise. I can't believe I'm here...and to think that if I hadn't decided to go to university, then I wouldn't be here! Maybe it was for the best that I didn't pursue a career in performing instead.

Stirling Castle

My university in Scotland offers students the opportunity to study abroad for a year or semester. It was something I had always planned to do, but when I was clearing out my room one day, I found a booklet about it and decided to find out more about it. Luckily, I hadn't missed the information session held by the Study Abroad Office.

I remember sitting in a large lecture theatre, where a vast amount of other second-year students were also sitting. Older students, who had studied abroad the year before, told us about their experiences and that they all had an amazing time. Some of them mentioned that in America there are more opportunities to take film production courses as film is taken more seriously as an academic area of study. This immediately gained my interest as this was the reason I had chosen to study at the University of Stirling. 

The previous exchange students also mentioned that it there were only limited spaces available and that it had been expensive - but worth it. I remember thinking I have no chance. I only worked part-time in Homebase, a DIY store and had competition with hundreds of other students also.

Even so, I thought it's better filling out an application form with a chance of being considered for an interview, than doing nothing at all. And I was right. I got an interview, only to find out weeks later that I had been accepted and was given a place at the University of California! 

It goes to show that you are best trying to achieve something and being rejected than not trying at all. You really never know, you might be lucky!

To find out how I managed to arrange my finances to go abroad, become a follower and check out the blog next week!