London Calling

I am going to London. I will be studying and working in London for 4 months. This is amazing. It all happened so quickly. I can barely keep up. Everything is spinning around my head; so much to do. I need to not worry about it. So far, it has come so easy. This is God's plan for me.

I will bring you up to speed. A few weeks ago, I was all set to be done with school come May. I am weeks away from earning my college degree. The problem was I did not know what was to come in June: continue working in retail, move to another city, another state, try to get a job in the entertainment industry, sports industry? I had no clue and it was scary. Then a flyer was mailed to me from the International Studies Center about the CSULB London Semester. I have gone to their offices from time to time throughout my college career to see if there was a program for me. Nothing ever went past looking through the multitude of brochures. But this time was different. The CSULB London is a joint program with CSU Fullerton and a professor from each school is sent. In the past when I would peruse brochures, the disciplines would include communications, political science, etc... I could not use any of the credits toward my degree in film studies. I would have to spend at least an extra semester at school. Also the courses never interested me very much. What changed my mind was the inclusion of a film professor from CSU Fullerton. He will be teaching a World Cinema and an introductory film class with a photography project. I was hooked. I had to go. This is my chance. There was only one problem.

This program is for Fall 2008 and I am graduating at the end of Spring 2008. Come Fall I will no longer be a student at CSULB and because of the nature of the program I must be an enrolled student. I verified this with the International Studies Office and was slightly upset that I may have missed an awesome opportunity. They suggested I speak to an Academic Adviser who may have some ideas to continue my enrollment through Fall but still be able to walk at the Commencement Ceremony in the Spring. My appointment was a few days after and I tried not to think about it in case they did not have a solution.

I tried to go into the appointment with an open mind and little expectations that they could fix my problem. I explained that I was about to graduate but wanted to take part in the study abroad program the following semester. She said I should be able to change my graduation date to the Fall and still walk (because I had turned in the paperwork already). She double checked with a colleague. It was all correct. It is not uncommon for students to move back their graduation date: either they feel they may fail a class or since there is no ceremony in the Fall, they will walk in the Spring only to return in the Fall to finish the remaining units. I marched over to Enrollment Services, filled out a simple form and turned it in. Then I proceeded to the International Studies Office to pick up my information form. I did most of this without thinking of what I was doing; I did not consider how I was going to pay for it, nor the details of how it would all work out. So far everything was falling into place and I am trusting God that this is his plan for me. If it is meant to happen, it will happen.

I will use this blog to record my pre-departure activities and as a way to share my experiences with all of you while I live for a short time in Europa.

Stay tuned for the next chapter where I begin to realize what I have gotten myself into.

Until next time.

-Maggie the traveler