Abridged Checklist

Doha, Days Until Departure: 54
Istanbul, Days Until Departure: 86

One highly mistaken assumption I held when I began applying for these study abroad programs was that the big hurdle to participating in the programs was acceptance to them. Or, at least, I assumed that once accepted, the rest of the process was mostly formality. Wrong. That is not how it feels right now. Unfortunately, I think that assumption has still been emotionally guiding the process over the last week or so. That is to say: I'm kinda slacking on important next-steps.

The pre-departure checklists for both programs is pretty overwhelming. To help me a long, I'm going to post a short checklist of the most immediate to-do's for me right now.

_ Apply to Koc University. This is the Istanbul institution at which I'll be studying. One hurdle for me to complete related to this step:
-Call CIEE (operator of the whole study abroad program) and find out if I need to submit my entire college transcript (4 schools) or just my U of MN transcript when I apply. The answer to that question will determine how I proceed.

Complete by: November 7th.


_ Set an appointment for a physical. Complete by: ASAP.

_ Ask CIEE if I can expect an SACE (Study Abroad Cost Estimate), will need this for my November 9 financial aid meeting. Complete by: ASAP.

_ Complete all 5 "To-Do" items on my CIEE online checklist, some of the checklist items I'm posting here are part of this to-do list. Other items include, basically, signing an agreement to terms or acceptance of participation rules, so on so forth.

Getting these things done will sorta get the ball rolling again. Still SO much more beyond all this, notice I didn't even cover applying for my student visas. ::Deep Breath:: ... ::Exhale:: ...