Visa

Ok, so I told everyone that I was going to write a long time ago but then I got so busy doing preparations that I didn't have time. Here is a little update:

I have finally collected all of the necessary documents to get my visa. I had to fill out an application, get statements from both the U of M and the Erasmus program saying when I was/am enrolled and all of the school info, get statements from my bank account and my mother's stating that we have enough money to cover the cost of my stay, get a note from the program showing the amount of my scholarship, get all the information about the health insurance provided by the program and a statement from my insurance here saying they will cover me there too, a notarized statement saying I will get the insurance when I get there, my passport, passport photos, my flight itinerary, return envelope, a notarized copy of my drivers license saying that I live in the jurisdiction of the consulate, and copies of just about all of these forms! I guess I have a reason for being busy trying to collect all of these things. Finally, I had to take all of these forms to the Honorary Consulate in St. Paul so that he could check them and sign the application stating that I was the one who was presenting these documents. Now all I have to do is send it all of Chicago and wait 4-6 weeks for them to return my passport with the visa inside. They should approve it, at least, because they already have my name in their system. The program sent them a message, I think, stating that I will be enrolled in the program. Once I get this sent I will feel like a big weight has been lifted off of me!