France Update

Hello everyone,

I am so excited to tell you that I will be leaving for France in just 50 days! I can't even believe how fast time has flown by since I left Canada this past August - already 99 days ago.

Though I have been planning extensively, I still have a lot to do before I can pack my bags.

First, I need to finish my WIU online study abroad forms and attend the mandatory pre-departure meeting. More pressingly, though, I still have to apply for my French Visa now that I have gotten my CEA Packet in the mail. Unfortunately, I have to visit the French Consulate in Chicago for an in-person meeting first, and that takes time, of which I have a short supply.

My semester, though only 29 days from being finished, still consists of 2 full-length novels, 5 papers, a presentation, 2 précis, and 2 final exams. Plus scholarship essays and my still unfinished grad school application, which has been festering on the back burner for the last few months.

Also, I need to design my capsule wardrobe to avoid overpacking, as I did for my trip to Canada. I just feel like I'm running out of time... Still worst of all, I have had no time for naps. How will I even go on?!

Fortunately, I have an amazing goal to work towards so I will continue to go go go until I can meet up with my new classmates in Paris before our program starts. I just cannot even wait, and will keep you updated on what is happening until then!

For a more in-depth look at what goes into the pre-departure hustle, check out my Real Advice for Study Abroad column on just that, here.

Thanks for reading!