International Flights

Boy, the price goes up and down on almost a daily basis... and it's really expensive in the summer months! When I was looking at average flights a few months ago, it was around $900-$1200 for flights to Europe... now, I'm going to have to cough up about $1,700 for my flight to Greece. Does anyone know of any cheaper methods? I've heard of mixing and matching flights/airports to sometimes get a better deal, but so far with the hassle of catching different flights on my own and getting transportation to the airports that are farther away, it still ends up costing about the same with a LOT more hassle involved.

If anyone knows of a concrete way of getting cheaper travel, please share! I have to say though, I'm tired of being called lazy in the travel forums... I have spent a LOT of time looking at different methods and all these people offer are vague suggestions like, "There's cheaper ways to travel, you just have to look for them..." Well, DUH! I've been looking...

Keeping my chin up in the meantime... wish me luck!

Orientation for my Trip to Greece

The final stages of my trip are being put into place and all of my paper work is turned in. All I have left to do is pay! The Orientation was very informational... I learned a lot about what to expect and how to survive while abroad.

I'm feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness about the whole thing. I'm still worried that I might not get to go because of finances, but I'm really working hard to come up with the funds from various outlets. I'm also still waiting to hear about a few large scholarships that I may get, so wish me luck on that.

I feel very confident that I will get to go.... the hope is that I will only add a minimal amount of debt in the process. I'm looking at a private educational loan as a backup incase I don't make enough before the deadline, but I'm really hoping that I don't have to take it. The interest on that loan is ridiculous!

What I'm really hoping for is that my friends and family will sponsor my trip by purchasing the photos and other artwork I'm selling... I understand that finances are tight, so that's why I'm selling 4" x 6" prints for only $2... so it's very cheap and easy to swing.... I mean, come on, $2... that's not even a cup of daily coffee.

Okay, I'll stop ranting about money now. I already feel bad enough for spamming Facebook every day! I'll keep you updated if anything else interesting comes up about my trip.

Sorry!

I forgot to add Meaghan to the list of Donors! Even though she was struggling with her new business, she was kind enough to make a donation for my trip a loooooong time ago. Thank you Meaghan!

And if you happen to be in Monmouth, she serves up some delicious ice cream at the:

Monmouth Main Street Ice Cream Parlor
Check her out on Facebook.

Only 16 days left to fundraise...

Passport Advice

Silly me, thinking I could just walk-in and buy a passport.... no.... Passports take 3-6 weeks to process!! Plus, you gotta have your birth certificate. I don't know how many times I've seen that stupid piece of paper laying around the house, waiting to be filed in the proper place... and of course the moment I need it... It's NOWHERE to be found. So, $50 dollars later (after having my birth certificate expedited) I went and got my passport paperwork filed today. FINALLY! :D

I'm not too worried though, if it's not here in three weeks (plenty of time before my trip), I can call and have it expedited for another $60... CROSS YOUR FINGERS THAT THEY GET IT DONE QUICKLY!

Things are starting to happen

I had my initial appointment with the Study Abroad office today. It was just an entrance interview type thing... and I learned some more detailed stuff about my trip. But, I'll talk more about that later. Oh, but one interesting tidbit I learned... Apparently, you can't flush toilet paper in Greece! You gotta throw it away after you... well... you know... It will be an interesting trip to say the least, but I am so excited to go! I can't wait!

I also got my award letter for Summer Session. I'm only getting about $1,900 - and it's not even guaranteed because of all this BS happening with the Government regarding the Pell Grant. The good ol' Republicans want to cut $1,000 off everyone's grant and make it even less accessible to people who need it. Grr! So, cross your fingers that some of those scholarships go through for me!! I'm really going to need them to make this trip happen... if not, I guess I'll just have to work that much harder. But, I'm sure I can do it!

If you haven't already, do please consider a donation! I know that times are tough, but really a $5 donation is not too little. Every little bit counts. And I'm not below taking bottles and cans either!

To those who already donated... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! You're amazing and I love ya!

In review...

All of my applications regarding my trip to Athens are in review right now... even my financial aid! I'm super stressed out about all this. Cross your fingers for me and wish me luck! I need it...