Getting a Degree Abroad | Before You Go

Welcome to Part 2 of my new series, Getting a Degree Abroad! If you missed Part 1, where I discussed the first steps you should take before actually applying to a school abroad, check it out here! This one is a little more information heavy, so be prepared! There are lots of things you need to do in-between your acceptance and your initial arrival!

THE TO-DO LIST

Housing | As a student, you will always have the option of living in student housing. For some, the idea of going back to dorm style living arrangements may not be ideal, however university housing will save you a lot of trouble! I personally went with student housing when I first arrived, however I decided to rent from an outside leasing company after one year. Living arrangements will vary depending on country. Research research research! While student housing in some countries may be the most reliable option, in others it may cause a lot of stress and anxiety.

Phone | It is worth looking into whether or not you will want to pay for an international plan from your home country. I personally did this, as it made it easier for me to keep in touch with friends and family abroad. I bought a T9 phone in the UK to make UK calls, but used my US iPhone on wifi and to stay connected with the US. This is not necessary! While it worked for me, you can also cut your home phone bill by buying a smart phone in your new country. There are so many free ways to stay in touch with people back home if you have a smart phone!

Notify Your Home Bank | If you are getting a degree abroad, chances are you have plans to eventually move back home. Do not close your home bank accounts! These are your lifelines. However, you will have to notify your bank that you will be spending significant time abroad. The reason? If you start making a whole bunch of international purchases, your bank WILL lock your account. Even if you DO notify your home bank, this may happen! That is why you will need….

Starter Cash | Keep a couple hundred dollars/pounds/or whatever your new currency is, tucked away somewhere safe. You never know what could happen (ex: your bank locking your account because of international charges). During your entire time abroad, I highly recommend keeping cash stashed away… Just in case.

Research a Bank Abroad | While it is not completely necessary to open a bank account in your new country, I highly suggest you do. If you plan on working, leasing, or making a big purchase, you are going to want to have a bank account in the country you are actually living in now. Your university will provide you a letter for whatever bank you chose, proving you are in fact a student and will be living in the country for X amount of time. Just ask the international office! Many will provide this letter within the first week of moving in.

Know Where Your Home County's Embassy is Located | This is really only a precaution, but better safe than sorry!

Print All Documents | There are a LOT of documents you'll need to have with you before you enter customs. I've created a list of these documents below, and I highly suggest creating a binder to keep everything organized. You will need three sections: Customs Documents, University Registration, and Just In Case. Some of these documents will overlap into multiple sections. 

DOCUMENTS YOU'LL NEED
Passport and Visa | Duh.

University Acceptance Letter | It goes without saying, but when you are at customs the officer is going to want to know you are actually attending school. The acceptance letter is the most important document at customs other than your actual passport and visa.

Letter from Your Home Bank | Since you will be a student, you will have to prove to the government of your new country that you have sufficient funds to last your entire program. You will need to provide a letter from your bank upon your arrival at customs. Make sure you've had these funds in your account for the required amount of time. Most countries require that you have had these fund available to you for at least six months or more.

Visa Application Receipt | You are going to have to pay for your visa application. Keep that receipt handy, as you may need to provide proof you did in fact pay for your application.

Immunization Record | Some countries may require proof of your previous immunizations. It is also worth looking into whether or not there are some shots required by your new country that you have not received already.
_________

Certification of Registration from Your University | Most universities will allow you to begin the check in process online before you leave home. Once you arrive, you will be required to check in personally along with all other international students. Each university's process is different, however most will require you print out a "Certification of Registration" and bring it to your first check in. This will prove to them that you are in fact a new student. They will check this document, along with your passport and a few other documents (university specific) and then stamp this document. Keep this document safe. You never know if your new country will require you to provide this document at any given time.

Any Transcripts from Home | Most universities would have already required you to provide your transcript online in the original application process. However, the may also require it at the check in discussed above.

Proof of Housing | If you have decided to live in university housing, there will be a whole set of other documents you will need to provide upon moving in. However, it's best to keep the receipt from you original downpayment handy just in case something happens.
_________

Copy of Your Passport | This falls under the just in case category. Why keep a photocopy of your passport? In the event you do loose your passport while living abroad, providing your embassy with a photocopy of your passport information page, as well as your visa page, will speed up the process tremendously.

WHAT TO PACK
Bare Necessities | Okay, let's be real. You don't need to pack pillows, sheets, towels or any of that. Get it when you arrive! You are going to want to pack a million and one things, but trust me when I say you will not need it. Pack clothes, shoes, medication, whatever you consider the bare necessities. Everything else is expendable and will just take up space in your already limited suitcase. Research types of stores you will want to buy these things before hand. In England, my go to for everything was Wilkinson. It was my "Target" so to speak.

I am so excited to be sharing this series with y'all. As I stated before, I have received numerous emails about getting a degree abroad. Instead of one general overview, I want to try and hit all the major points over several weeks! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below!

xoxo

Getting a Degree Abroad | The First Steps

You may have seen slightly less of me these last few weeks. I always find this time of year extremely hard. There is so much to do for the holidays that I barely have any time for myself. The bright side? I am very excited to share with y'all a new series: Getting a Degree Abroad!

Over the last couple of years I have received numerous emails from readers with questions about studying and living abroad. Getting my Masters degree abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I want to share with you a little insight on how I went about the entire process.

A little background on me: I studied abroad at Kingston University in London for a summer during my undergraduate degree. Knowing I wanted to go back, I made the decision to get my masters in England, verses getting my masters at home. I received my Masters of Arts Degree in History at the University of Bristol in early 2015. 

I do want to point out these posts will be geared towards people who want to spend a significant time abroad. While I highly suggest studying abroad for a semester, the advice given here is more for people looking to obtain a degree (rather than taking a course or two) from a university abroad. So let's get right to it, shall we?

THE BEGINNING RESEARCH

IS UNIVERSITY ABROAD RIGHT FOR YOU?
Studying abroad is something I strongly believe everyone should do while in college. There is so much to explore outside of your home country, and the best way to open that door is by diving head first into a study abroad program. However, getting a degree abroad is something else entirely. If you are independent, love immersing yourself in other cultures, and don't mind giving up your favorite home foods, you might want to look into getting your degree abroad. Here is a quick list to help you determine if you should study abroad or get a degree abroad:

You are looking to party = Study Abroad
You are willing to dedicate the majority of your time studying = Degree Abroad
You only want to live in a foreign country for 1 month to 6 months = Study Abroad
You are looking to move to a country for more than a year = Degree Abroad
"I have to actually take classes?" = Study Abroad
"I can't go out tonight, I to read 8 articles before tomorrow"  = Degree Abroad
You want to experience life abroad with your friends = Study Abroad
You are VERY independent = Degree Abroad
You want to see all the sights = Study Abroad and Degree Abroad
You want to learn more about the world = Study Abroad and Degree Abroad
You are eager to learn a new style of teaching = Study Abroad and Degree Abroad
You love to travel = Study Abroad and Degree Abroad

If you are iterated in studying abroad, visit the international affairs office at your home university. They have the information for numerous programs you can apply to and will provide the best advice in the whole process.

Getting a degree abroad means you will be applying directly through that particular university. The next step? Figuring out where you actually want to study!

WHAT COUNTRY SHOULD YOU STUDY IN?
Picking a country can be either the easiest or hardest part, depending on what type of person you are. For me, I always knew I wanted to study in the UK. The universities are world ranked, the culture is amazing, and it is a country where I didn't have to learn a foreign language. It was easy as pie. For others, there are so many options it's hard to make up your mind! When picking a country, whether you have your mind made up or not, here are some things to consider: visa restrictions, cost, time, and language. 

Visa Restrictions | Every country has their own rules and requirements upon entering. For example, as an American citizen I was required to apply and pay for a visa if I was going study in the UK. This visa allowed me to live in the UK during my study time, but restricted me from working more than 20 hours a week. Research every countries visa restrictions. You may save yourself time and money by doing so.

Cost | Lets face it, cost is going to be a major factor in picking a country. Some countries may be expensive, some slightly less. Decide on how much money you are will to spend of cost of living, as well as how you will continue to pay for that lifestyle during your course (remember, most student visas WILL restrict how much you can work, so you may have to think of other means as well).

Time | University course are different in every country. Your home country may require you to take a year of basics before you can even begin your degree classes, while some countries offer shorter degree programs. Think about the time you are willing to spend on getting your degree, and remember! Time = Money.

Language | If you are willing to learn a foreign language, great! If you already know one, super! But not everyone will know how to speak fluently in their new country. That's okay. A lot of countries will allow you to get by with English (I assume if you are reading this you know English pretty well). However, some countries that may be a massive barrier. Expat bloggers are a great resource for finding out how well you should know a language before packing up and moving there.

PICKING A UNIVERSITY

THE PROGRAM
Picking what kind of degree you want is a hard process to begin with, however once your degree has been chosen you want to make sure you are choosing a quality department. University departments range in quality, and it can be extremely difficult to figure out whether you are going to have the help you need or be left to fend for yourself. The easiest way to figure this out is by contacting current or former students through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Nowadays, it's pretty easy to locate a group of people through the internet, and most people will be willing to provide you with feedback from their experiences.

REPUTATION
There are only so many resources out there to help you determine whether the school you are researching is actually worth it. Reach out to bloggers! To this day I continue to receive emails with questions about my time at the University of Bristol. It's how I actually met one of my very best friends!

Not only do you want to know if this school is worth it, reputation will help you determine how you can "sell" that university to employers back home. Many people in your home country may not know your foreign university's name, however, with one quick Google search they can access the best (and worst) parts of the foreign school you have decided to attend.

LOCATION
So you've already picked a country to study in. That's awesome! Now it's time to actually pick where in that country you want to live. While you may have your mind set on a particular university, I highly suggest researching the city it is located in as well. Your location will make or break you life abroad. Not only will you be paying rent in this place, you will have to figure out transportation, pay for groceries, and determine the type of social life you can afford/have access to.

HELPFUL TOOLS 
Studying Abroad vs. Grad School Abroad, What the Elle
The Pros and Cons of Earning a Graduate Degree Abroad
Student Visas (UK only)
Student Visa Process Step by Step

If you have any questions about the first steps of getting a degree abroad, please feel free to leave a comment below. This series will cover lots of things including how to get visas, what to pack, and so much more! If you want me to address any particular questions in future posts, please let me know!

xoxo

Essay Deadlines

BLOG EVERY DAY IN MAY | DAY 6

Working hard on my essays at Boston Tea Party.
Desktop background by Bobbi.

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo

Life of a Graduate Student

I came to the realization the other day that I have never dedicated a post to my student life.

Yes, I mention school and dissertation stuff from time to time, but I have never sat down to tell y'all about my day to day life as a graduate student. 

So here we go!

The biggest misconception about being a graduate student is you have a lot of free time. 

Yes, I only have class twice a week.

Yes, I spend a lot of time on the internet.

No, I do not have all that much free time.

As a history masters student, I spend most of my free time reading, writing, or researching. If I'm not volunteering at the museum, I usually wake up and head straight to a cafe (it's so much easier to concentrate with food and coffee in your belly). On a typical day, I'll spend about 3-4 hours sitting in a cafe reading or writing.

So what am I reading or writing? At the moment I'm writing two 5,000 word essays and preparing for a dissertation presentation. I try to force myself to write everyday, even if it's crap. Editing will come later. As far as reading goes, I've buried myself under a ridiculous amount of books on Henry VII (my dissertation topic). Seriously, I know this guy better than I know myself at this point.

Once term is over (May 19th), I will be spending the entire summer writing my dissertation. It sounds like plenty of time, but it's not. I'll be spending most of my time either researching in archives or reading secondary literature.

Moral of this post?
There aren't enough hours in the day.

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

Book Love | Winter King

Henry VII is my thing. 

When I picked Henry VII as the focus of my dissertation, I immediately ordered every book I could find on him. 

Some, I have to admit, are pretty dull. 

Others, pretty fascinating.

Winter King by Thomas Penn falls into the 'fascinating' category. 

Non-fiction books have a tendency to state dates and facts, allowing little interpretation for the reader. I never considered the possibility that a non-fiction book could be suspenseful and thrilling. Thomas Penn's writing creates a fuller and deeper story to the life of Henry VII. He captivates the reader with the drama of early Tudor history without creating fiction.
I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys real life soap operas or Tudor history.

Other titles similar to this book include:
Hilary Mantel Wolf Hall
Philippa Gregory The Red Queen and The White Princess

There will be no Thought's From Abroad post tomorrow as I just got back from Ireland. Expect lots of amazing Irish posts soon!

Happy Thursday!
xoxo

Queen Square | Bristol, England

In the past few weeks I've spent countless hours reading about Henry VII. 

I practically breathe early Tudor history. 

Becoming familiar with secondary sources on the topic you plan to write your dissertation on is essential.

Although my love for Henry VII and Elizabeth of York grows with every book, I do find myself occasionally reading a page only to realize I hadn't really paid any attention to the words. 

I've discovered the environment in which you read is almost as important as the reading itself. Changing the scenery every now and then helps you focus and, well, keeps you sane. 

The weather is slightly warming up, meaning reading outside is an option. I find myself on Brandon Hill or College Green often, but never really ventured far from Park Street for my afternoon reading. 

Growing bored of my regular spots, I decided to finally give Queen Square a go. 

Stepping into Queen Square is like stepping into 18th century England. I had walked through Queen Square on many occasions, but never really stopped to sit on one of it's many benches. It's beautiful, green, and most importantly, quiet. The perfect reading spot. 

Needless to say, I had a very productive afternoon. 

Happy Saturday!

xoxo

Wells Cathedral | Wells, England

Like my visit to Hereford, I went to Wells for a class trip to transcribe medieval manuscripts.
After about two hours of straining our eyes looking at medieval letters and charters in the Wells Cathedral archive, we were treated with an exclusive tour.

Wells Cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490. It was the first Gothic cathedral in England, and is located in England's smallest city.

Our tour allowed us access to the chained library, the upper balconies, and the roof. Although getting to the roof was no easy task (try climbing 250 spiraling steps in the dark) the view was absolutely amazing. 

"Started from the bottom now we're here" was obviously the theme of our climb to the roof.

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo

Ps. It's that time of the year again! Go check out and donate to Project For Awesome!

Hereford Cathedral | Hereford, England

Yesterday one of my classes had the opportunity to go to Hereford, England to look at medieval manuscripts. Thinking we'd be in an archive all day, I didn't bring my good camera. 

Silly me. 

The archive was a part of Hereford Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches I have ever stepped foot in. Luckily, I did bring my iPhone and was able to snap a few pics. We spent most of the day handling medieval books and documents as well as exploring the cathedral. I even had the opportunity to transcribe a document signed by Elizabeth I! 

As a history major, it's a dream to have opportunities such as this. I've been feeling extremely blessed lately! 

Sorry I haven't been blogging as much this week! I've been crazy busy as well as a little but ill. I don't even know if this post makes any sense, seeing as my brain is not functioning properly at the moment. Yay for colds!

Happy Tuesday! 

xoxo

Apple Heritage Day | Somerset

“What can your eye desire to see, your ear to hear, your mouth to take, your nose to smell, that is not to be had in an orchard, with abundance of variety?” 

(William Lawson, 1618, A New Orchard and Garden)

Common Ground, Orchards: A Guide to Local Conservation (Common Ground: London 1989)

This Saturday I sacrificed sleep to spend the day volunteering at the Quantock Apple Heritage Day in Somerset. Seeing as I hadn't been out of Bristol much since arriving, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to see the English countryside. 

Along with a fellow American in the history department, our job was to record local stories of orchards and  apples. These oral histories will be used by the university to discover lost orchards and preserve the few that survive today. Some people were more than willing to tell stories of orchards they grew up near, while others avoided the American girls carrying the iPads like the plague.

Over 600 people stopped by the first ever Quantock Apple Heritage Day, making it a pleasantly surprising success. I even managed to come back with a bottle of Somerset's finest Chaider (chai + apple cider = Chaider).

Enjoy the rest of National Apple Heritage weekend!
xoxo

Texas Tech

Seeing as it is my last week in Lubbock, I decided to walk around campus one last time. And guess what! I actually managed to bring my camera! Yay me!

Welcome to Texas Tech University.

Holden Hall

During my three years at Tech, the majority of my classes were held in Holden Hall. This building is notorious for being either Antarctica or Hades. 

Holden Hall

The Administration Building

The Administration Building is the oldest building on campus. It houses offices for the President, Chancellor, and other important people. 

Memorial Circle

Murray Hall

My first year at Tech I lived in Murrary Hall, a upper classmen dorm. I lived in a 'Transfer Student Hallway', which allowed me to make friends with other transfers such as myself. 

Murray Hall

Garden

One of my favorite things about Tech is the opportunity to discover something new. On my walk I discovered a secret garden, hidden next to the Experimental Sciences Building. In the three years I had been here, never once had I noticed the garden tucked away. 

Garden

Education Fountain

One of my favorite places on campus is the Education Building fountain. Besides Holden Hall, the Education building was my second home. Being an education minor was pretty fun. We did a lot of coloring. 

Education Building

The Barn

When walking on campus, it's easy to forget you are still in West Texas. The Barn, located in the center of campus, is a reminder of Tech's Western roots. When Texas Tech first opened, the Barn was used to collect cattle and livestock in exchange for tuition. If you ask me, that sounds like a pretty damn good deal. 

Four Sixes Barn

Texas Tech is also home to the National Ranching Heritage Center. This center is focused on the preservation of over 40 structures, all moved from their original place to the Texas Tech campus. Some of these structures include one of the oldest schoolhouses in Texas, as well as my personal favorite, the Four Sixes Barn. 6666 Ranch was founded in 1868, and soon became the largest cattle ranch in all of Texas. It is still in existence today, however, one of their barns was donated to Texas Tech, and is now used for ranching education.

The International Culture Building

And lastly, the International Building. This is where I first learned about studying abroad. Props to Texas Tech for caring so much about other cultures. Without them, I wouldn't be the crazy Texas girl obsessed with everything British. How depressing would my life be?

46 days until I move to England!

xoxo