Since being accepted, there seems to be a never-ending list of things to do. To begin with there is a vast amount of paper work needed for going to school abroad. Parental consent forms need to be completed in two languages, forms need to be stamped by a public notary and to top it all off an Apostille stamp is required. Then you have to prove that your not a criminal! As well as several medical checks. You get stabbed with needles endlessly and both arms are subject to this torture not just one poor victim. You have to be weighed, measured, prodded, poked and generally pulled about to ensure you are healthy. It's surprising how much monetary value is given to these pieces of paper! Also needing to be done is the setting up of a bank account, or two in my case. Another pile of forms needs to be filled out.
It doesn't finish there. Of course there's the planning of transport to get there. Plane tickets need to be bought, but worried parents don't want you travelling alone so you have to coordinate with your co-years. Even that's not simple as your co-year may live on the other side of Britain or there may be no direct flights. You also have to get to the airport and know what your doing once you land. In short it is a difficult, expensive and complicated process!! Thankfully, that's all over with...for now!
Now I face the challenge of packing. Trying to fit everything you want to take into a suitcase is impossible!! You force items into every gap and sit on top but still it does not fit. I seem to be taking only a fraction of what I need. However the opinion of what I need is very different in my mother's eyes. Unfortunately, she will probably win this battle as I am not even close to getting everything in! It doesn't help that Bosnia has very diverse seasons. Hot summers and cold winters result in nightmare packing. And you can't just have a suitcase full of clothes! You need toiletries and stationary. Packing truly takes determination!
Another completed mission of the week was having an article on me in the South Wales Echo. (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2010/07/29/jessica-aims-to-be-first-welsh-girl-at-college-91466-26952505/) I approached Media Wales as I hoped getting some publicity would help me to raise funds. It was easier than expected, providing you a nag a little. Firstly, I sent Media Wales an email outlining my story. I then received a phone call. I had a quick over the phone interview and then the next day a photographer came to take a picture. It was very bizarre. Posing for a picture amongst the flowers in Roath Park. Then the next day I appeared in the paper. Hopefully someone will see it and offer some help.
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