Visa Application

At last, this ominous visa application is complete--the paper version at least. All that is left is to take some photos with a white background to pass for "passport" photos, paperclip it all together, and toss it in an envelope with my blessed passport and MCU acceptance letter and the OIP acceptance I received and wait.

*cue Jeopardy music*

[Another Update]

After meeting with 林老师 yesterday and discussing the trip, a few things have changed. First off, my placement exam will be handwritten. This is a bit of a problem for the writing challenged me, therefore, as I've been wanting to do, I've started from lesson one and am learning to write! (cheers) Secondly, after bringing up the living arrangements to 林老师, she emailed Ivy, our Ming Chuan contact. She replied today with this message:

Dear Hannah,

Based on our inquiry, we double checked with the housing department.

It's true that 2-person rooms have been remodeled into 4-person and 6-person room in Taipei campus due to the increasing number of student population and the difficulty of renting private apartment in the city.

As for Taoyuan campus, 4-person room type remains the same.

We will communicate with the housing department and try to place the students in 4-person room with private bathroom and shower setup.

Thanks for your understanding.

ivy

[Update]

Turned in my Pre-Departure Packet today to Semoa. Looks like I'm okay for not attending the Orientation as long as I read the packet and email her saying I have no questions. Also purchased my International Health Insurance. I really hope money starts to grow on trees...

In other news, I met with Lin laoshi today to discuss Ming Chuan. She is going to call and see if she can move Ke Wei Wei and I to the other dorm (2 person rooms) since that is what the lucky Ming Chuan Exchang Students will be comfortably staying in in our stead. I am very much hoping this works out as then I will not have a community bathroom and will have more personal space. Cross your fingers, kids.

Left to Complete:
Purchase Airline Tickets
Apply for Visa

[58 days to departure]

Home Sweet Home

[Predeparture Orientation]

I missed it. Uh oh.

YES!

Your acceptance packet from MCU is here. Please come and get it.

Semoa

Semoa De Sousa-Brown, Ph.D.
Study Abroad Program Coordinator
Office of International Programs
339 Stansbury Hall - PO Box 6214
Morgantown, WV 26506-6214
Phone: 304-293-6955, ext. 33162
Fax: 304-293-6957
e-mail: Semoa.Desousa-Brown@mail.wvu.edu
web site: http://internationalprograms.wvu.edu/

銘傳大學地圖

[Exciting Email]

Hello, I'm a writer for the College of Business and Economics and I'm interested in doing an article for our January newsletter about your studies in Taiwan.

I was wondering if it would be possible to contact you while you are there to find out about your experience, what you are learning, etc.?

That is, if you don't object to an article....

----------------------------
Tim Terman
College of Business and Economics
West Virginia University
Phone: (304) 293-7760

Room 340 B&E Building

Money!

Dear Elizabeth,

I am pleased to inform you that the College of Business and Economics will provide you financial support in the amount of $300 toward the cost of your study abroad program to Ming Chuan University for the Spring 2011 semester. Dean Jose V. Sartarelli has committed financial resources to assist undergraduate students in the pursuit of an international learning experience.

To receive your $300 allocation, you will need to provide Michelle Paugh with confirmation of your enrollment at Ming Chuan University and a copy of your airfare receipt/itinerary. Mrs. Paugh is located in Room 437, Business and Economics Building.

Please claim your travel support allocation by January 31, 2011. If you have changed your plans for the spring semester and do not intend to study abroad, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Your allocation will be placed back into the pool of funds available for other Business and Economics majors.

Sincerely

Joseph P. Seiaman

Director of Undergraduate Programs & Advising
WVU College of Business and Economics
PO Box 6025

Morgantown, WV 26506

(304) 293-4959

At Last!

Dear MCU applicants,

Your WVU exchange packet to MCU is ready to be picked up. Come by the OIP office room 338 to pick it up as soon as you can.

Semoa

Semoa De Sousa-Brown, Ph.D.
Study Abroad Program Coordinator
Office of International Programs
339 Stansbury Hall - PO Box 6214
Morgantown, WV 26506-6214
Phone: 304-293-6955, ext. 33162
Fax: 304-293-6957

Interesting

The World in Words 15: China's mad about English and everyone is mad about Chinglish. Check out the podcast on iTunes.

If you're interested in languages, I'm sure you're going to get addicted just like I am.

In Other News...

Check this out.

Dear Office of International Programs:

Get it together.

[Three More Months]

Friday marked the completion of my GEO Grant Application--hopefully it is the last of the major applications needed for my Spring Semester in Taiwan. I'm so excited to finally experience the culture I've been learning so much about.

Three months to go.

Left to complete:
Visa Application
Application to MCU