Since I was in elementary school, all I ever wanted to do was travel. Actually, that wasn't everything I wanted to do. I also wanted to be a lawyer, a senator, a global journalist, an artist, a singer, a fashion designer, a best-selling author and a marine biologist, a research psychologist, and an archeologist. (Quite a list, I know.) However, one of the common threads throughout these fabulous career opportunities is travel. I was determined that whatever occupation I chose would keep me on the road or in the air.
Speed forward through time and I still want nothing more than to travel. Through some brain seizure or some masochistic urge within, I decided on the frustrating and gratifying major of History: International Studies (with a minor in English, of course!). Speed forward again and through one other moment of masochistic desires (or intense restlessness.) I decide to graduate a year early. I am a college sophomore/junior who just decided that she only had one more year left before she entered into the "real world." Scary thought. So, I surfed and surfed the internet for a type of job that would take me overseas. I searched resorts, schools, internships, archeology, etc.
The frustrating thing about the "real world" is that most jobs of significance, money and adventure require experience and or more money. I have neither. So, I switch to looking for PAYING internships overseas. If you ever want to experience the feeling of running into a wall without doing damage to the wall, look for PAYING internships in History or English. It doesn't feel pleasant. But then...I clicked on a link...and there it was.
A paying internship in RUSSIA!! Teaching English as a Second Language. No experience necessary. AND... a TEFL Certification given at the end of the program (which is required to teach and intern in most Western European countries). It was perfect. Not only could I go to Russia, but the certification could open up doors both in the US and abroad. But wait...there is MORE!
Throughout this same semester, I had been taking both Russian History AND a Dostoevsky class. And I had found my passion. Having always been slightly attracted to the morbid and strange, Russia's dark history and their cultural folk traditions and manners fascinated me. The psychological depth of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy drew me in and, weird as it is, Stalin fascinated me. And now, I may actually have a chance for a payed internship in Russia, homeland of the Russian Ballet, Tchaikovsky and the Nut Cracker, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy (Stalin was born in Georgia). Russia, home to some of the most splendiferous and opulent palaces, could be my home for a whole year. So, I applied. And I have been accepted. And...
IT'S RUSSIA!!!!
Sincerely,
---Your hopefully soon-to-be Russian traveler---
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Co-Signer Applicants Now Accepted
So...for the latest update. I think I have found a way to get my diploma in time for the VISA process. Basically, instead of taking two 16 wk online classes, I will take two 4 wk classes on campus at the beginning of summer. Actually, one would be at Liberty University (my current school) and the other would be at the Central Virginia Community College. However, it would not be my life if this wonderful solution did not have a snag. So, for the snag.
In order to take these two classes, I need to take out two loans (one for each school). And due to the fact that I am a full-time student working for minimum wage when I can, making less than $12,000/year, I need a cosigner. Unfortunately, due to a large amount of medical bills, previous school loans for two children and other bills, my parents no longer qualify to cosign. Which, for right now, puts me back at square one. All-in-all, I guess square one is better than no square, but it sure is frustrating.
As for other news, I am currently waiting for a copy of my birth certificate to arrive so that I can apply for my passport.
Would anyone like to volunteer as cosigner? I'm not picky. Really. Seriously.
As usual, advice and comments are welcome.
---Hopefully your soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
In order to take these two classes, I need to take out two loans (one for each school). And due to the fact that I am a full-time student working for minimum wage when I can, making less than $12,000/year, I need a cosigner. Unfortunately, due to a large amount of medical bills, previous school loans for two children and other bills, my parents no longer qualify to cosign. Which, for right now, puts me back at square one. All-in-all, I guess square one is better than no square, but it sure is frustrating.
As for other news, I am currently waiting for a copy of my birth certificate to arrive so that I can apply for my passport.
Would anyone like to volunteer as cosigner? I'm not picky. Really. Seriously.
As usual, advice and comments are welcome.
---Hopefully your soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Travel Paper Anxieties
SO, I am four months away from my sojourn to Russia and am currently trying to get my papers going...so far, to no avail. Let me begin by saying that this is my first trip to any country other than the Mexican border. I have never needed to deal with gaining passports or VISAS and am learning everything as I go along.
Russia recently changed its foreign workers' policy and now requires a degree from every foreign worker. In order to comply with Russian regulations, my employing agency is requiring an apostilled diploma before they begin the VISA process. I am a current senior at Liberty University and will be graduating in May. However, in addition I will be taking two final classes this summer and will not be receiving my diploma until six weeks after my final class. So technically, by the time I receive my diploma and begin the VISA process I should already be packed and ready for Russia. I asked the company and am hoping that they will satisfy the degree check by working with my university transcripts, etc.
Now, for the passport. The only thing I knew about getting a passport (at least until yesterday and this morning) was that they could be obtained at the Post Office. In order to rectify this, I went searching online. I ended up at a couple of websites, one being the government website with the needed forms. I filled out the DS-11 form and printed it out as instructed. I also looked online to find the nearest passport location that would take photos. I found one and was all set to get everything settled this morning. When I arrived I was greeted by a sign that said passports were by appointments only.
I may be new to this thing, but it seems that if all the postmasters have to do is take the already-completed paperwork and take two quick pictures, then they should be able to squeeze one person in -- especially if the post office is completely empty! To top of my frustration, they said they are booked for the next month. REALLY?!?
In addition to all of this, I just found out my parents cannot find my birth certificate which is needed to obtain my passport. It will take approx. 15 days plus mail time for me to get it.
I realize that I am probably overreacting, but all I have wanted to do since I was like 12 is travel. Whatever occupation I imagined myself doing, I was traveling. To think that anything could mess up my dream when I am so close is really disheartening.
What do you think? Any tips or suggestions?
---Your Soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Russia recently changed its foreign workers' policy and now requires a degree from every foreign worker. In order to comply with Russian regulations, my employing agency is requiring an apostilled diploma before they begin the VISA process. I am a current senior at Liberty University and will be graduating in May. However, in addition I will be taking two final classes this summer and will not be receiving my diploma until six weeks after my final class. So technically, by the time I receive my diploma and begin the VISA process I should already be packed and ready for Russia. I asked the company and am hoping that they will satisfy the degree check by working with my university transcripts, etc.
Now, for the passport. The only thing I knew about getting a passport (at least until yesterday and this morning) was that they could be obtained at the Post Office. In order to rectify this, I went searching online. I ended up at a couple of websites, one being the government website with the needed forms. I filled out the DS-11 form and printed it out as instructed. I also looked online to find the nearest passport location that would take photos. I found one and was all set to get everything settled this morning. When I arrived I was greeted by a sign that said passports were by appointments only.
I may be new to this thing, but it seems that if all the postmasters have to do is take the already-completed paperwork and take two quick pictures, then they should be able to squeeze one person in -- especially if the post office is completely empty! To top of my frustration, they said they are booked for the next month. REALLY?!?
In addition to all of this, I just found out my parents cannot find my birth certificate which is needed to obtain my passport. It will take approx. 15 days plus mail time for me to get it.
I realize that I am probably overreacting, but all I have wanted to do since I was like 12 is travel. Whatever occupation I imagined myself doing, I was traveling. To think that anything could mess up my dream when I am so close is really disheartening.
What do you think? Any tips or suggestions?
---Your Soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)