When opportunity knocks, open the door.

When an opportunity just falls onto your lap what do you do? Do you throw it away, check it out, maybe take a dive and see if you can make it work? This was my thought process for the past two days.  I got a call from the CIS study abroad group and they said that I have the opportunity to go study next semester in either England or Italy! At first I was a bit skeptical about this, I wanted to have time to prepare and get my passport for the fall. I recently discovered that I would not be able to study abroad next fall because of required classes for my music minor I have to take at LR. So study in England or Italy? That's the first choice I had. The second one was should I even bother with the application process. I have had many friends try for study abroad and have failed to make it a possibility. Even Gretchen, my friend who's in India, had troubles getting to where she is now. Do I really want to risk failing at this?

I had to ask the opinion of people I knew. I put a status up on Facebook explaining my dilemma, I talked to my advisors on campus, I talked with my parents and I called the advising department of CIS. Almost immediately I had comments from Facebook friends in college, out of college and others all telling me to do it. Over ten comments on how this is an opportunity I cannot pass out on. I skyped with my mother and we discussed my options on if I did this. My mom said that I should at least fill out the application and if I am accepted she will help me in any way she can. My grandparents who travel frequently said I should, my boyfriend said if I didn't he would be angry at me, my roommates said go for it and finally I told myself why not? If I am not accepted any money I give them will be refunded and I can tell myself I at least tried. 

I went online and filled out the application. Once I got the payment issues situated (the website was not receiving my card information so I had to use a check) I was put into the system and told to wait until I got an acceptance email. I have been working on filling out other applications that are required and looking at scholarship opportunities. All of the ones I asked for require me to blog about my experiences (which I was going to do anyways if I got into the program) and keeping a diary. I am going to speak with financial aid and begin to discuss possible classes I would take at Westminster.

Wow. The chance to study at Westminster University is incredible. Not something that would happen every day. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that I hope I can experience. I could take day excursions to Stonehenge, Oxford, The Globe Theatre, Big Ben, Liverpool, Windsor Castle and much more! I could even take weekend excursions to Paris or even Italy! How magnificent! We are allowed two weekends for no extra cost! If I wanted to travel more I could but I would have to pay for myself, which in all honesty I would not mind at all.

All I can do now is wait for an answer to see if I got accepted into the program. The anticipation is endless and I will be checking my emails every day.

If anyone is interested here is the link to the program that I have applied for. 

http://www.cisabroad.com/study-abroad/england/semester-at-university-of-westminster--london

I hope you have a fantastic day!

Hugs and kisses

Anna xoxo