Things I have learned About Studying Abroad: Part I

By Danielle Wirsansky on December 29, 2014

Getting to study abroad was always a dream of mine: and now it’s finally coming true! Next semester, Spring of 2015, I will be a lucky student studying in London, England at FSU’s top notch study center. But of course, since I’ve been accepted to study abroad, my ideas  have been simultaneously dashed and raised and my expectations of what is to come shaken up. I am, of course, no expert as I have not yet begun my travels. HOWEVER– I thought I’d share the tidbits I have learned so far if they can be of any use to you.

1. London is Rainy Not Snowy

“I’m leaving because the weather is too good. I hate London when it’s not raining.” ~ Groucho Marx

In my mind, I’ve always imagined London in winter to be a snowy paradise. This must have been wishful thinking on the part of this lifelong Florida Girl. But alas, instead of snow, there is rain. Lots and lots of rain. It will be wet and cold instead of just cold. Waterproof shoes and rain jackets are necessary additions to your wardrobe.

2. UK Internship Visas are Hard to Get

London is busy, busy, busy.

What I mean by this is, if you are not in FSU’s (or any other schools) enrolled internship program, it will be impossible for you to study in the UK for the spring semester and get an internship visa to work in the UK for over the summer without returning home to the United States in between (if you were hoping to get straight to work and save airfare). You must be in the United States when you apply for the internship visa and then send off your passport for twenty business days to be approved and get the visa. By then, the whole summer will have passed before you can even return to the UK. You CANNOT remain in the country on your student visa and work, or remain there more than 90 days after your schooling has ended.

3. Walking Shoes vs. Sneakers

SO. MANY. SHOES.

This is one I have been having trouble with. Perhaps because we live in a state of perpetual sunshine and flip flops, I am not as familiar with closed toed shoes. My closed toed shoes consist of my handy dandy sneakers I use for working out and other athletic activities. However, there is apparently a difference between every day walking shoes (which must be comfortable and match your everyday clothes) and sneakers (which are reserved for working out in, have gaudy colors, and automatically mark you as a tourist).

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