Finally in Edinburgh!

So my sister, my mom and I arrived in Edinburgh about 3:00pm UK time yesterday. It was a long flight but not terrible. Our flight out of LAX was supposed to be at 4:30 pm on Monday but it left closer to 5. We got to London at about 10:45 am UK time and then our flight to Edinburgh was at 1:20 pm. Going through immigration was surprisingly quick. We didn't have to wait in any lines! I'm glad I didn't have to show the immigration officer anything more than my visa, because I was extremely tired and didn't want to dig through my papers.

We flew Air New Zealand for the long flight from LA to London. It was really clean and new looking. Unfortunately we were in the middle aisle so no window views but it was ok because we pretty much just watched the in-flight entertainment the whole time. The flight was fine except for a) a crying baby that was noisy on-and-off b) airplanes are stuffy and c) airplanes are too uncomfortable to sleep in. I might have gotten an hour or 2 of light sleep at best. I pretty much watched TV shows the whole time and one movie, Limitless. It was pretty good. The meals were ok, except I got eggs for breakfast and I don't like eggs. But I wasn't hungry anyway so I didn't care.

When we got to Edinburgh it was overcast but fairly warm. Today it was slightly cloudy and still warm. No rain yet! We are lucky because apparently it has been raining a lot lately. Yesterday we walked around Princes Street, which is the main shopping area in town. I bought a cheap cell phone for the time being but plan to get a better one at some point. Then we had dinner at Hendersons, a vegetarian restaurant. I had a vegetable curry which was really good! Then we went back to our room and slept a really long time.

Today we checked out the vet school and the dorms. We got really lost trying to find the dorms, but eventually we did. I get to move in on Saturday and am looking forward to that. The building are all new and modern and look really nice. I am excited to move in and get my own room! I haven't met any classmates yet but hopefully I will before school starts. A lot of people aren't arriving until Saturday, but there are a few people here now so maybe I can meet them soon.

Tomorrow I am hoping to buy some school supplies like a backpack, notebook, etc. I also need to open a bank account. My mom and sister want to do some more touristy stuff like visit Edinburgh Castle and the palace so maybe we will do that too. So much to do!

Visa applications are a drag!

So I am trying to get my UK Student Visa application all done...there are several parts to the process. First I have to complete an on-line application which is all done and was pretty straightforward. I also have to complete a paper application which is probably 80% done except for a few vaguely worded questions which are baffling me. I e-mailed my school's immigration office and am waiting to hear back from them. I also have to go to an appointment at a local visa application office to get fingerprinted and have my photo taken. Last I have to send in all the "supporting documents" to prove I am qualified to study on the vet program. I think these documents include proof of my previous degree (college transcript plus the degree itself), proof that I can finance my education (financial aid letter showing my approved loans), proof I have actually been accepted to vet school (my offer letter) and proof I am who I say I am (my passport). I am not 100% sure that these are all the documents I need to send because it is not explicitly listed anywhere. Aaahhh!!!

EDIT: The school's immigration officer just e-mailed me back and answered all of my questions (I think). Yay! 2 parts down...my fingerprinting appointment is in a few days. I'm gonna feel like a criminal!

Hello & Welcome

Hello friends and family! I have created this blog so I can keep you all updated on my life once I move to Edinburgh, Scotland for vet school. Makes it much easier than e-mailing everyone! Please leave comments!

Carla