Yesterday, Catherine and I went up to Chicago to the Italian Consulate to turn in our applications for a study visa. After waiting for about half an hour, our name was called and we stepped up to the counter to make sure that everything was in order. During the wait, my nerves were increasing, mostly because the amount of paperwork required is intimidating and has to be in the exact order...or else! It could also have to do with the fact that the four people in front of us were having some issues and had to keep going back to fill stuff out.
Apparently the study abroad students know how to apply for a visa though, we met a girl from the University of Illinois who was going to be studying in Verona the same semester that we are going to be in Florence and she stepped right up to the window and was finished turning in her application within minutes.
Catherine and I were the same way, we had to fill out a couple of things but it was all done at the window in a couple of minutes. We were even told that we were very organized and had everything that they needed (what a relief...five days of checking it several times must have payed off).
Looking back on it now, it doesn't sound all that scary but considering that the visa is one of the last big steps to take before leaving, it seems pretty important...and nerve racking. Now that the application is turned in all I have to do is hope the passport makes it back to me in one piece, then I am basically good to go.
Now I guess it is time to clean my room so that I can figure out what to pack. I am really trying not to over-think or over-pack, but I probably will....as usual. My nerves and excitement increase with each day, there are still enough days that I am not completely freaking out yet but in about a month I will really be starting to feel the reality that I am going to be in Italy for 3 and a half months! Just typing it is making my stomach churn with anticipation.
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