Have I participated in a genocide or the operations of Nazi Germany? That's what they wanted to know when I filled out my visa application... Well, I've arranged an interview, the first available time is in mid-July, so I honestly don't think I'm too early with this one... Well, anyway, that one's on its way and actually I think I've taken care of all the major issues now!! (Oops. Except I haven't registered for the courses yet - will have to do that today!)

Apart from practical matters, I'm suffering from severe "traveling fever" :) I totally can't wait. I'm reading all kinds of books and Internet articles about New York (where we will be heading first), the Pacific Northwest and lately also California (we're planning a little trip there with my parents after the semester). I'm already dreaming about Au Bon Pain in New York. Our flight will land at Newark at around 1pm. so the only thing I probably manage to do that day is go and have a raisin&cinnamon bagle there, and get adjusted to the time difference. This time round I want to explore more the area around Central Park and also head out to Brooklyn etc. (Last time we went to New York we only had a few days so we concentrated on the "must-see tourist attractions mostly Midtown and Downtown.) I really, honestly feel the time should be going a bit faster. 54 more days ;)

What language do you speak when you call/visit the U.S. embassy in Finland? Their website is all in English (!) and I haven't got a clue. I'm trying to prepare my documents for the visa application and now I'm just waiting to get proof that I can support myself next fall >:) Thank goodness for exhange programs, I only need to prove funds of $850 for the whole semester.

Another thing: I was trying to figure out the fees for the visa, and it appears I need to pay two different ones (the other apparently solely for the purpose of keeping people employed??) and I can't even find out the amount I'm supposed to pay... And this time, now that I finally have my own Visa credit card, this fee must be paid through the bank, not with the card... :/

Otherwise, I'm excited. I'm virtually counting days for my summer job to end and for the flight to take off. I really feel I need this change of environment!! (And no, I'm not counting on the exchange to solve my problems - except that my only problem at the moment seems to be that everything is too familiar and monotonous, which will certainly change when I go to a new place, so...)

Getting started

This blog will be my "travelogue" for the coming fall semester, which I'll be spending at the University of Idaho.

When you start thinking about a semester abroad, you think you just apply and that's about it. The closer it gets, the more you start to feel that it actually really would be easier to just stay home :) Well, by now, with a bit over two months left here in Finland, I'm really excited about seeing something new for a change.

So far I've managed this:
- made two sets of applications (first for my own university and then for the host university)
- filled in medical forms etc. when I got accepted
- renewed my passport (now I've got the EU passport that's stupid red instead of blue, and it has one plastic page, which makes it difficult to close)
- bought health insurance
- bought plane tickets
- applied for housing and paid the fee for that (have now received a single room in a 5-person apartment)

A major thing not completed: visa application. I haven't even received the papers yet. I'm going to be in trouble if I don't get the visa for the same date with my flight... As for the Visa with a capital V, I've proudly received a student Visa credit card after completing 60 credits at the university. Haven't had the courage to use it yet :)

Next, I'm going to meet with my home university coordinator and hopefully get those visa forms and then I'll have to start thinking, which courses to take. As easy as it is to find info in the Internet these days, course descriptions aren't that readily available at least before the semester starts. So I'm relying fully on course names, which probably isn't such a good idea.