False Alarm?

So today I got an e-mail from Mara with the layout of how everything is going to be paid for on the trip. The side of the form with all the information on it says Spring 2012...now what? I am left with so many questions but Mara directed me to a financial aid advisor at SIUe who will hopefully answer my questions. I e-mailed him and I will be anxiously awaiting his reply. I hope I didn't speak too soon about this trip being paid for!
Also, I just realized I'm going to be gone for Andrew and my 2 year anniversary :( I'm supposed to leave May 25th and our anniversary is the 29th. I guess we'll just have to celebrate before I leave and skype 4 days later.
This isn't a good news kind of day...but maybe I'll have good news after a few days and an e-mail.

I hope everyone has a very happy new year! 2012 will be a year for adventures :D Be safe and have fun!

Financial Aid Accepted!!

I found out today that my trip is officially paid for! I turned in the Financial Aid Disbursement Form and they said that nothing could be done until much later, and I thought I would have to come up with over $7000 by February 2012. Now, my site specialist Mara has called me and clarified that the form was received before Christmas and I am receiving over $8000! So it looks like all my worries about paying for the trip were for nothing, as usual. I could not be more excited and I am so relieved that this trip is actually going to happen :) Only 5 more months to go!

Finalized and Accepted

Hello All!


I'm not sure if anyone will want to read my blog, but I figured I would start one considering others in the future may need assistance or advice on studying abroad. So here it is, my first blog :)


Today I found out that I am officially accepted into CEA's study abroad program in Argentina. YAY! All of the steps were kind of a hassle and getting C. Rocha to approve my courses was definitely a pain. It's a good thing I have Joao as a resource to help me with all my Spanish needs. Don't be intimidated by all the steps, it's mostly just filling out simple forms and getting them to the right people. I think it took me about 2 months to get everything finalized, but if necessary it could be done in one month.


I could not be more excited to go to Argentina. I realize my trip is 5 months away, but I am already getting nervous. To help me stay sane, here is a list of things I am nervous about:


1. Coming up with the money for the trip..it is pretty expensive :/
2. Financial Aid working in my favor
3. Scholarships! (I didn't think I'd ever have to worry about these again..booo)
4. leaving everyone for 2 months..
5. getting shots and staying healthy
6. being a vegetarian when people are cooking for me
7. letting other people do things for me
8. who will take care of my animals?!


I have a few others but they can probably wait until later. As of right now, I need to just enjoy Christmas break and start saving $$$! Let's do it!