Hi everybody!

I finally got my acceptance package in the mail Friday. So that means I was ready to apply for the D-2 student visa. The closest place for me to appy was in Chicago at the Korean Consulate, website:http://usa-chicago.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/usa-chicago/consular/visas/index.jsp. All I needed to do was send my passport, passport copy, certificate of enrollment (this was what I needed from the acceptance package), passport picture, a money order of $45, a visa application, and a self addressed return envelope so that I can get my passport back!

Yay, one more thing that I can check off my list. By the way, a tip from me is to get a few passport pictures before you leave, because you will need them for your student ID, alien registration card, and some other forms. It will be easier to have some to spare rather than try to find a place which supplies passport pictures. Also. I plan to convert a couple hundred dollars into Korean Won before I go so that I can buy myself some dinner and breakfast the next day! I am sure they will have some places to exchange your money in the Incheon International Airport in Korea, but as I am going to meet a Korea University shuttle I do not want to hassle with that when I arrive.

I am also going to spend some time looking at the course list offered for this Fall so that I can have a list of classes I want and need to take for my major. We can only register for classes in person, not online and I want to be prepared. I remember Freshman year of signing up for classes, where everything is sort of haphazard and you look more at the times of the classes rather than the content...Is it after 10 am? Is is before 3 pm? that is my ideal time for classes hehe.

I am still looking for a place to live. I have exactly 3 weeks before I leave and I am very excited. Right now I am shopping for some last minute things, some gifts for a couple of friends I have there and some essentials. But mostly I am trying to spend time with family and friends here as well as working at my job.

In addition to the list of housing options I posted before, I might suggest emailing the person in charge of incoming international students as it is under their duties to help you, so you may have more luck with getting a response. I would also suggest trying to email the housing department and see what they have to suggest or who they may refer you to. Perhaps talking to anyone you know there would greatly help. In any case, don't worry too much because you won't be stranded on the street! They won't leave you without somewhere to spend the night. Also, find a couple of places which don't look to bad and email/call the manager to see if you can reserve a room. You may have to wire over a deposit or pay the first month's rent. If you have someone you know in Korea maybe they can go and check out the place for you to make sure it is safe.

That's all for now, I'll update soon.