Paperwork up my EARS

So this morning i woke up to a lovely email from the EAP coordinator with the Keio application packet attached. Long does not even begin to describe this process. I already knew i had to get health clearance done so I was getting on that, but after looking at the packet, there was much to be finished. I ordered a transcript of my grades as instructed, called to schedule a health exam (but you have to turn in papers to the office first <.<) and printed out allll the paperwork at Rescomp. Along with the actual application to the school, there was another Japanese placement sheet, eligibility requirements (for the visa later), course plans (what you think you'll take for each semester), an online profile to create, and about SIX-EIGHT more passport pictures to take (and they have to be official). I did what I could so far...messed up on some and now I have to reprint/redo them. I'm going to try and get a majority done by next weekend, however, most of this isn't even due til the beginning of March. And luckily, my extra letter of recommendation came in handy since it's required for this new 'application.' But since my professor spelled my name wrong ('ch' instead of 'k'), I have to have her revise it. Shot her an email and she replied saying she'd do it, yay! Not that it's really her fault...even my grandmother still gets my name wrong.

All in all, this shit better be worth it. Not to use profanity, but seriously, it's a lot of time, effort, and money going in to this already, so I'd better get in, stay in and be able to make it to Japan.

Scholarships

So with our economy in the gutter, money is suuuuper tight these days. Arg. I have less than 8 months to save up as much money possible, pay for school, AND pay for all the expenses pre-study abroad FOR study abroad. So I started looking into scholarships to see what was available to help me out financially. There is one in particular that I'm going to apply to, the 'Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan.' They award about 15-20 students scholarships of $4,000 a year (if you meet all requirements and all that jazz). Another one i looked into was the David L. Boren scholarships. Now, this may seem like a great deal first off, but if you don't read through the entire site, you may not see that this scholarships requires you to work in the federal government FOR A YEAR after you graduate. Sure, they pay for nearly all your study abroad, but in up to three years after graduating, you have to go work for the fed as stated. So nevermind that one. I was almost done with the application before I found that bit of information. <.< Glad I didn't turn that one in. I might apply for a scholarship through the Japanese American Community League (JACL) but I haven't been an active member in years and their priority would probably go to more active members. Also, they require proof of membership, letters of rec and all these lists of awards and crap. <.< I did an application for it two years ago before i started college but it got lost when our computer crashed. Hell if I'm going to do a new one!

I already contacted my boss about working more hours next semester (well, the max) and I'm thinking of staying there for a month or so into summer to keep working. At least then I'll have some money to set aside since I make a good $800 a month. I want to work while in Japan but I probably won't be able to til at least after the first couple months of adjustment. And you have to get a bunch of work permits released by your school, the program etc to do it. Maybe getting a scholarship would be easier than that. >< We'll probably apply for another loan if we can unless the economy suddenly makes a surprise recovery.