The First Three Weeks !

My first day was spent exploring Boston, trying to get to know my surroundings. I decided the best way was getting on a T (the Boston transport system which is a train, tram and subway all in one!) and getting off at any random stop and exploring. I sorted my bank account and my mobile phone the first day, and went to see Northeastern University for a quick chat with my boss. By the end of my first day I was very proud of myself! That night I went back to Ketty’s to dinner sitting on the table and the three other foreign students round the table. It was nice to meet others from different cultures who were in the same situation as me having jetted off to a foreign country by theirselves also. The next day was an exploring one too then that evening I headed for the airport to pick up Diane. Even though Ketty’s family were making me feel right at home it as so good seeing a friendly face, Although it she was tired and jet lagged she still had a massive smile on her face coming through the gate!

The next few days were spent getting Diane sorted with a bank account etc. and the two of us sorting our Visa, SSN and exploring Boston together. As well as finally meeting the three Scottish interns in person; Katie, Nicole and Molly and dining out A LOT ! Chinese, Thai, Boston Burger Company and Cheesecake factory, with the girls which meant getting to know their friends too! As well as Ketty’s family and tasting her husbands delicious hamburgers.

I experienced my first: froyo, dipped cone (an ice cream cone dipped in chocolate, phenomenal!), Dunkin Doughnut, Gay marriage and Ketty’s Zumba … the BEST Zumba you will ever go to!

Throughout these weeks living with Ketty and her family was one of the best decisions I’ve made, they were so welcoming, kind and really treated me like part of the family. Going to the beach with Tanya and having long chats with John made me feel so at home here in Boston and I couldn’t be more grateful to them for that. I would have happily stayed for the year, the only down side being  the 40 minute walk to the nearest T stop, which I had to do many times!

Ketty's motivational door -

 

My first day on the job… I travelled my long journey into Northeastern feeling a little nervous, but once I got there everyone was so friendly and I had Nicole to show me the ropes for the first week, the hardest part was trying to remember everyones names! The first week flew by quickly trying to learning as much as I could from Nicole whilst she was still there. Trying to learn everything about Northeastern so I am able to answer any question a student may ask me, proved to be quite a difficult task but I'm learning something new everyday and finding out what an amazing university I am getting to work for.

The next two weeks were filled with food, food and more food! As well as exploring Boston, seeing Faniuel Hall, Quincy Market, Harvard, the harbour, the Institute of Contemporary Art and much more! Going to a leaving party for Nicole at what would soon by my apartment, and going for dinner to The Haven (a Scottish Restaurant) with work colleagues for Nicole and experiencing my first deep fried battered mars bar – amazing! I am aiming to try as many new things over here as possible to make the most of my time here (even if a deep fried mars bar is a Scottish thing!)

These first three weeks flew by and it was time for Nicole to head back to Scotland, and time for me to move to my new apartment. It was bitter sweet, as excited as I was for moving to my new home for the next two months, but it was really hard leaving Ketty’s home, having become like a little family to me over such a short space of time. After hugging it out Ketty drove me to Kinross road, my new AMERICAN home!

I'm leaving on a jet plane.

The weekend before I left ...

This was spent picking up the last few bits and bobs I needed before going, as well as trying to fit a years full of stuff into 2 suitcases (not the easiest task!!) but eventually by Saturday evening the suitcases were - with a struggle - closed!
So on Saturday evening, as it was a beautiful day, which you don't get often in Scotland, my family decided to have a BBQ. Which was a great way to say 'see you later'. We stuffed ourselves full, then ended up having a water fight with the hose!

On Sunday morning I got up early so I wasn't panicking about forgetting anything. We headed to the airport at 11 o'clock, the journey there was a quiet one, I think the reality of me being away for a year had sunk in with everyone, but we had my sisters little dog lexi with us so she provided a few smiles.

Once we were at the airport it was a long wait in the check in queue but I got checked in and my bags too (just a little over weight!!) then we headed up stairs, had a few drinks then, went to security.
This is where I had to say 'see you later' to everyone, a few tears were shed but I wasn't as bad as I thought I would be. Once I turned around to go, I couldn't look back, I had to just kept walking through.

Security was quick and I only had about 20 minutes to waste then before going to the gate, boarding began when I realised I didn't have my jumper, I hurried back to where I was sitting but couldnt see it, at this point my name was called over the tannoy as a final call, I panicked and sprinted back to the gate. I got there in time and rushed on to the plane, my heart racing. Not something I will do again in the future !!

I settled into my seat and prepared for my journey to Iceland / Boston.
The flight was okay, I don't particularly like flying but the seats were comfy and there was plenty movies and tv programmes to choose from.
I arrived in Iceland and had  two hours to waste as my flight was delayed 30minutes.
As the flight didn't provide food, I stopped at the only cafe there was (the airport was so small) and picked up a sandwich and juice, unfortunately my sandwich was less than appealing so went in the bin.
My flight from Iceland to Boston was much longer so I did get a bit fed up but managed to sleep for a while so wasn't to bad.
Once I landed in Boston I was feeling to great as I hadn't eat since the morning (Scotland time) but got through customs and got my bags fairly quickly.
Then headed out to meet Nicole.
Greeted with a beaming smile I felt so welcomed by her, she helped me with my bags then we headed on our journey via bus and T to Kettys house (my temporary accommodation before moving to Nicole's room when she leaves) with only a minor blip of me not feeling well and having to get some food in me!
Once we arrived at Newton centre I was greeted by another huge smile of Ketty and a shy Korean student, we jumped in her car on a quick journey to her house.
I was shown my room and left me suitcases then welcomed up stairs where I met her husband John and was fed beef kebab after a long day travelling, food and a family were just what I needed.
I was tucked up in bed shortly after, tired from such a long day. 

Almost there.

It was getting closer and closer to me moving to Boston, yet I wasn't getting nervous!

Two weeks before I was due to fly I left my job as a restaurant manager at the Park Bistro, which I had worked at for 4 years, this made reality begin to sink it a bit, it was hard leaving some of my colleagues which had become great friends over the years. However the reality of moving was becoming more exciting.

Over the two weeks I tried to see as many of my friends and family as possible to say 'see you later' (I refused to do goodbyes as I'm not leaving forever !!) 

My birthday celebrations were also within those two weeks. So my boyfriend Scott decided to take me up to Aviemore to spend some time with him before leaving as well as seeing the bonnie highlands of Scotland! We had an amazing time seeing the scenery and spending time together. I also had the wonderful surprise of my sister and her boyfriend coming up to stay for a night and bringing the dogs up with them. So spent two days walking the dogs in the fresh air and dinning at night. 

It was just one week to go now and I still wasn't feeling nervous, it didn't feel real that I would be moving across to America in just one week.

This week I lunched and dinned out every night, it was amazing!

I went out for afternoon tea with my gran and mum one day, which was lovely, freshly made sandwiches and baked warm scones accompanied with a glass of proseco with a little raspberry in it.

I also lunched with my granny and papa which was great to see them, and I was treated to some dollars for my Boston fund.

My university girls were next, I went through to Glasgow to see them, two of them being Amy and Diane, so we were very excited and spent most of the night chatting about what amazing things we wanted to do in the states, whilst enjoying pizzas and cocktails. 

I also had a few nights out with my friends, one at shanghai shuffle in Glasgow (a karaoke bar), a night out at dusk nightclub and one final leaving night which we attempted to dress 'American themed' but it didn't go so well, however we still had an amazing night chatting and laughing and then pulling some terrible dance moves towards the end.

As it came to the Friday before I left, I realised that I really do have amazing friends and family, and I couldn't have asked for a better send off! 

Just touched down in London Town.

We had booked our Visa appointments at the London American Embassy for Thursday the 9th of April. So the other girls and I decided to have an extra day to do some sightseeing. We booked the 'Mega Bus' to take us down through the night to arrive on the wednesday morning.

Tuesday the 7th came and we all headed to Buchanan bus station for 11pm, after boarding the bus we discovered that we had booked the sleeper, so we had mini beds, although they were a bit cramped it was great getting to lie down and get some sleep.

We arrived on the Wednesday morning in London at 6.30am, even so early in the morning London was all hussle and bussle, discovering throughout the day, most Londoners are in a rush! We spent the day seeing the sights of London: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament along with others, as well as trying to master the tube system. We also made a stop at the Natural History Museum, which I loved, its a gorgeous building and I particularly enjoyed the Dinosaur section, very interesting! We then headed for some dinner, near the tower of London, as we were staying with Amy's cousin Victoria and she was taking part in a 10km for Charity there.

After meeting up with Victoria we headed for her home, after a very long day of sightseeing and walking round London we were ready for a shower and bed. Arriving in Kew Gardens, it was a short walk to Victorias gorgeous 7 bed town house, complete luxury after sleeping in a bus the night before.

We got up early on the Thursday to make sure we weren't late for our appointments, we also had to meet up with Bunty outside the embassy. After putting our electricals in lockers we arrived at the Embassy, our documents were checked outside, we went through the security checks then were directed to the waiting area. After 3 hours and 2 interviews each, we had our visas approved! They would be sent to us the following week.
The rest of the day was spent hiding from the rain, inside cafes and restaurants getting some food in us for the long journey home.
At 8pm we piled on the bus home, this time not the sleeper, and had a rather uncomfortable very long journey home. Finally arriving back in Glasgow at 5am. 


After a successful trip we were all delighted to be one step closer to Boston ! 

Fantastic Five !

Finding out that my other good friend Diane had been offered the chance of another interview for an intern post at Northeastern University was so exciting, but we had to try not to get our hopes up until we knew she had the job. The three of us had wanted these placements since the first time Declan had mentioned them in our lecture.

Over the moon is an understatement, she has been offered the job !
I dont think she'll hesitate to take it.

And so it becomes five: Myself, Amy, Murray, Bunty and Diane!
I cant wait until June/July when we will all be over in Boston starting our new intern roles at Northeastern University.

For now though, we will have had to contain our excitement, and stay on top of our university studies as it is coming to the end of semester and assignment due dates are looming.
As well as working away at my part time job as I will need to save as much as I can from now until June, as my savings account has taken a mighty hit after paying accommodation deposits and booking my ONE WAY flight to Boston for the 9th of June.

Organisation is key!

The last month has flown by!

I found out another two of the boys in our course got a job as well, so out of all the students in our class we were the successful four! As a group we came to the decision to take over an apartment which the three scottish interns over there currently live. For various reasons even though it means two of us will have to share a room. Its a gorgeous little place, and i'm look forward to it becoming my new home for the year. We have even successfully put down the deposit for it, I am now just waiting on a final copy of the lease coming through from the lovely landlord!

We have also received our contracts and filled them all out and sent them back to the US! Hopefully arriving to them soon.

Now we are just awaiting final documents to be able to get an appointment with the American Embassy to get my Visa, a little trip to London with Amy will be getting organised soon! Currently looking at getting the mega bus down, £22.50 return is peachy - even if its a little uncomfortable!
Which is also an excuse to spend the cash we saved on travel on a bit of shopping on Oxford Street!

Who knew moving to another country was so easy ?!

Getting the job!

I'm a second year student at Glasgow Caledonian University, completing a Business Studies degree. As part of my course I was required to find a 48 week placement, which would enhance my real life business knowledge, skills and put my theoretical knowledge I had been learning from my course to use.
My placement officer - Declan Jones - had told us about a placement opportunity in Northeastern University, in Boston, Massachusetts. When I heard this I thought 'what an amazing opportunity - a once in a life time'. So I had to go for it!

January came and we could now start applying. After 3 interviews, a lot of nerves and a LOT of work. I was told I had been successful for the international admission intern post.
I was over the moon and to make it even better one of my friends had been successful for one of the other posts, so we would be going together !

After all the excitement it hit me the fact I would be moving to another country ! I did get a little nervous for the fact I have never been away from home or my family for more than a week!
Never the less I am looking forward to such an amazing experience, and with the technology these days I know I will be able to keep in touch very easily!