All year I’ve been having meetings at university about my impending year abroad – I’ve seen countless PowerPoints filled with information, been sent links to websites giving tips, and done my own research… but none of it has prepared me for how much there is to sort out before and once I arrive at my year abroad destination.
First of all I had to choose whether I wanted to study, work, or do a British council assistantship. I chose study… so then I had to choose which university I wanted to study at, which meant lots of research about the possible destinations. Once I’d chosen my top 3, I had to send these to the Erasmus coordinator and wait to find out where I would be going. I got my top choice of Rostock, which meant I then had to fill out an application form and a learning agreement, as well as supply proof of my language skills and other documentation. (The learning agreement had to be signed by me, then my Erasmus coordinator, then the receiving institution and then sent back to the Erasmus office at my university so that I can get my grant! It sounds complicated right?) And there’s still even more forms to fill out before I go.
Then, of course, I had to think of the practicalities. The first big question I had to figure out was “where am I going to live?” and so I applied for student accommodation in Rostock, which meant even more forms, even more research, and endless communication. I’ve finally got that all sorted. But what about flights, insurance, a bank account, a phone contract that won’t cost the earth to use abroad? Well, I was difficult and chose a town in Germany that doesn’t have an airport that flies to and from the UK so I’m having to fly to Berlin and then get the bus or train to Rostock – it took a long time to figure out how I was going to get there but I just need to book it now. I’m not having much luck with finding a decent phone contract – 3 does one that can be used at no extra cost in 18 EU countries but for some bizarre reason Germany isn’t one of them!? I’ve been to my bank to find out about all the different charges for transactions and transferring money, but setting up an account is another thing that will have to wait until I’m out there.
Getting all the little things sorted is a lot easier and lot more fun than all the complicated and essential things. I’ve got a new suitcase for all my travelling, bought myself a new coat as Rostock is very cold and rainy in winter, and got a new camera to document my time there. All that’s left is some good shoes, a pocket dictionary, and a little book for writing new vocab in.
I’m getting there slowly but surely, and it doesn’t feel quite real yet – I don’t know whether to be excited or nervous. I’ve got just over two months to get everything sorted before I go, so I best make sure I do some grammar practice, learn some odd vocab, and watch some German TV to keep my language up to scratch.
Auslandsjahr der Bethany 