From Gainesville

To London

Lauren WilliamsonAmbassadorial Scholar District 5790

The Road to Studying Abroad

April 2008 – won District 5790 award– Process started LONG before that (’06)!– 1 year application; 1 year to departure

Jan 2009 – ASETS training – www.rotaryasets.org

Sept 2009 – leave for

District 1130, London

Checklist

Acceptance to School UK Bank Account Medical OK International Health

Insurance Federal student loans to

supplement year Flight to London Learning the

language….blimey!

The dreaded VISA!!!!!!

Transcripts 6 months bank statements Proof of loans/scholarships $ to sustain length of stay $ conversions Acceptance letter Visa letter from school Biometrics – 14 day deadline POINTS BASED SYSTEM $235 + shipping packet

Housing

Research – flats, apartments, student housing, rooms, “en suite” rooms, catered halls, landlords, “tea kitchens”, kitchenettes

Cost Analysis Preliminary Trip March

2009

Paul Robeson House 25 min walk, security Post grad, SOAS students “en suite”, shared kitchen with

6 others Room size is 4 x 2.5 meters or

roughly 12 x 8 feet

OUTREACH

10-15 presentations during + 8 after

Business cards Power Point, photos Banners Rotaract, service

projects

web + log = BLOG

Online diary or journal with pictures– www.laurenatuniversityoflondon.blogspot.com

My first DIGITAL camera, THANK YOU Gainesville Rotary Club

Learning web, technical

things, power point, slide shows… Connecting with other scholars

Countdown 3…2…1

Sept 9 leave US, Sept 10 arrive UK Sept 16 move into Paul Robeson House Sept 25-27 RIBI LINK wknd Leicester Sept 28 classes begin Oct 16-18 Rotary District Conference

Rotary is a small world!