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Preparing for my Study Abroad journey to Minnesota
My nerves got the best of me
After receiving the news in December 2018 that I had been accepted to study abroad at Minnesota State University, Mankato, the initial wave of excitement was soon followed by the realization of the many preparation that needed to be made. The period from January 2019 until my flight in August was filled with anticipation, challenges, and moments of doubt as I embarked on this new chapter of my life.
The paperwork — Navigating bureaucracy and financial planning
The first hurdle was ensuring that all necessary documents were in order. this included proving that I was financially capable of making the trip, which, fortunately, wasn’t too problematic. However, the sheer amount of paperwork involved was time-consuming and required meticulous attention to detail. I had to provide various forms of documentation, such as bank statements and financial affidavits, to show that I could afford tuition, living expenses, and unforeseen costs. My family’s support was invaluable in helping me navigate this process and ensuring that everything was accurate and submitted on time.
Another crucial task was selecting courses that would align with my degree program back home. In the Netherlands, I was studying Construction Engineering, often categorized as…
