I'm Flying

I bought my airplane tickets today.

This is super exciting, but also scary. There is no backing down now.

I am a little nervous to fly international by myself. I recently flew alone coming home from Walt Disney World and I have flown internationally to and from Ireland. But this is the first where it is combined. Though I am confident I will be able to do it.

The excitement is building everyday.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler

Will You Take My Picture?

While in London, I will be taking 12 units, which works out to 4 classes.

1. British Life and Culture - This class, every Monday, continues through both sessions. Most days it includes a field trip to a London landmark like Parliament or the Natural History Museum. Basically we will be learning everything that home-grown Brits already know.
   
2. World Cinema - I am very excited about this class. I enjoy world cinema as it is a snapshot of the state of the world/nation at the time the film was made. The style, narrative, tone of a film are very telling.
   
3. Internship - This should be super cool. At the moment, it seems I will be able to work at a small production company in London. This should be excellent and juxtapose nicely with my experience at HBO.
   
4. Independent Study - I talked with my sponsor professor today and am looking forward to my project. I will be doing a photo essay of London , ultimately creating a still photo "movie". I do not want to ruin the surprise of the end result, but it is going to be very awesome. I can't wait to start working on it. I already have some ideas of what I am going to do.

I eagerly look forward to London. My excitement changes to fear and back again every time I think about it. Going to London will be a scary, new, exciting adventure for me and having an end goal (my course work) will help me focus on why I am there when the fear creeps in.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie

Step 2

So Friday I went to the Pre-Departure meeting. It seems a little early to me since I don't leave for another 4 months. I guess it is easier while school is still in session. I learned many thing that should prove useful for my adventure. I also met some of my fellow adventurers.

I learned:

1. Pack light. There is little storage space in each room for each person. Instead of two large suitcases, they recommended one medium size suitcase and a knapsack. Basically bring two weeks of clothing. Everything I can buy. Especially things like toiletries and a hairdryer. I hope I can fit all my clothes (including work attire) along with shoes and bags in a medium bag. I have put 5 days worth of clothes in a carry on size with extra room, so I have faith.
2. Use a debit card. Credit card companies charge a 3% finance fee to every purchase. Ouch!
3. I am a resident of London, not a tourist. This will be my city for 4 months. Especially when I am interning, I will be commuting 3 days a week.
   
4. More girls want to study abroad than guys. At the meeting, 15 out of 20 present were female. Drama could ensue, but I am Switzerland and I will not let some other's disagreement affect me.
   
5. I am quick to (mis)judge people. I hope this adventure teaches me to not judge people. I am quick to make a decision. Sometimes I am right (being a film student I can usually spot an ego) but many times I am wrong and pleasantly surprised.
   

I left the meeting very excited. Everyday closer, it feels a little more real. This meeting answer many of my questions and changed some of my thoughts. But I still have more question, which I will share when I have more answers.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler

Step 1

I turned in my application yesterday. I am going. I think this makes it official.

Today is the meeting where I learn everything, all the details.
- Excursion schedule
- What to bring/what not to bring
- What to expect
- How the classes will work
- Etc...

This should be exciting!

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler