Baby, it's cold

I take being cold very seriously; I still dream of moving to Texas and forsaking these mild Virginia winters. I think that explains why I bought this puffy coat during Spring Break- which was waaay back in March. It cost a little under $100 from Lands End, but I'm sure it will prove to be a good investment this fall. It also smooshes into a tiny little bundle so it won't take up valuable space in my suitcase. Always a good thing!

Basically it's my goal to not get any kind of respiratory problems while abroad (curse you, asthma) and wearing this coat should help. My brother and sister-in-law bought me some amazing bright blue snowboots which takes care of the potential cold feet problem. I'll never get lost in a snowstorm now!

 I have an overabundance of hats, gloves and scarves and I'll just pack a few of my favorites. And fuzzy socks! I bought two pairs specifically for this fall.

 Simply put: I refuse to be cold. Ever.

Lady Catherine /will never know/

Ah, the packing of clothes. There is almost too much info floating around the internet about how to pack and what to pack. It can get overwhelming quickly. The good news is that I don't have a Lady Catherine telling me how to pack my dresses. But if you are curious, I'll be rolling all my clothes to save space. I want to be able to fit everything!

I've actually found some really great tips on Pinterest, I pinned several on my travel board. 

 

(I love this idea! I have several sunglass cases floating around my room, it will be nice to actually use them.)

As for clothes, I'm going to try to keep it simple when packing. I think I'm going to pick three coordinating colors and go from there. (Probably green, blue, black/gray.) I also intend on layering everything so I don't have to pack for both a summer and winter climate. I also have to save room for my puffy coat (which is fairly smooshable) and my snow boots. I want to take my peacoat but it's not necessary, I should really leave it behind. Right?!

And now Pinterest has me wishing I had a versatile trench coat. Curses!

I'm going to be packing a carry-on and a checked bag. I am not one of those super travelers who can live out of a carry-on. Not happening. I like clothes and choices, mmkay? And I do need to pack a few sweaters. I've heard that Quebec gets cold quickly in the fall. I bought one of those vacuum sealed bags to keep my sweaters from overtaking my entire suitcase. Gotta have room for some fun clothes!

So far I've bought new pjs, jeans and a few tops (thanks mom and dad!) From a wardrobe perspective, I'm pretty well taken care of. I do need to buy more underwear and socks, but those boring items can wait until the very last second.

The best packing list I've come across is on the blog I Who Wander. Their packing list for a semester abroad is comprehensive and appropriate for other college students. I'll be printing out a copy to help me stay on track while packing!

The College Tourist also offers solid advice for students traveling abroad. This post stood out to me in particular, especially the bit about buying scarves as souvenirs. I love a good scarf.

My mom and I are thinking about checking out the luggage sales at local department stores this week- none of the suitcases we have at home are quite appropriate. And none of them pink. (Okay, okay. I know that that is the least of my worries, BUT. Wouldn't pink luggage be so much fun?)

I'll keep y'all updated on this riveting chapter of my travels. 

Flying Air Canada

(photo via Google, edited by moi) 

The last time I flew to live in a new place was when my family and I moved back from Hawaii to Virginia. Since it's been nearly 14 years (right, dad?) I felt it would be wise to review the rules for flying. This may be a boring post unless you too want an update on the 3-1-1 rule. 

What is the 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons? 

Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container; must be in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. The bag limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring.

Be prepared. Each time a TSA officer stops to physically screen a carry-on bag, it slows down the line. Practicing the 3-1-1 rule will facilitate the checkpoint experience. (via the TSA website)

What about transporting prescription medications? 

It is recommended that documents and medication be packed in your carry-on baggage. All prescription medications must be properly labelled with the names of the patient, the medication, and the issuing medical office or pharmacy. (via Air Canada's website)


What size limits are there for carry on baggage?  

You are allowed one standard article and one personal article for any/all destinations. Your standard article must be 9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in. and no more than 22 pounds. Your personal article must be 6 in x 13 in x 17 in. and no more than 22 pounds.

(I'll be bringing my DSLR camera and laptop in my carry ons, as Air Canada recommends.) 

What size limits are there for checked bags? 

via Air Canada 

Worried about losing your luggage? 

In addition to luggage tags, consider adding a baggage identification card that goes inside your bag. Air Canada has one for free, which I will definitely be adding to my bags! However, I will be packing a set of clothes in my carry on just in case my luggage gets delayed or lost. I can't show up to my first day of classes looking like a dirty traveler. 

Any check-in deadlines?

Glad you asked, because: yes. I get to check-in two hours before my flight leaves. I'm really glad I got a noon flight! 

Travel	Recommended Check-in Time	Check-in Deadline	Boarding Gate Deadline
Within Canada	90 minutes	45 minutes*	20 minutes
To/From the US	120 minutes	60 minutes	20 minutes
International (including Mexico and the Caribbean)	120 minutes	60 minutes	30 minutes
Caracas, Venezuela	180 minutes	90 minutes	60 minutes
Tel-Aviv, Israel	180 minutes	75 minutes	60 minutes

via Air Canada 

Do you have luggage?

Err, well, you see...a few months ago my dad said I could borrow his. But now I need to see how heavy it is and if he'll still let me borrow it. I'm crossing my fingers I don't have to purchase any!

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Later this week I'll share a post full of packing tips and ideas I've found through other study abroad blogs.  What would I do without the internet and Google? 

Let's Fly Away

This is what happens when you ask your sister to take pictures of you. "I need to look excited!" I said, so I busted out jazz hands and peace signs. You're welcome.

I really just wanted pictures to capture the excitement I felt upon buying my tickets for Canada on the fourth of July. (Hilariously ironic, in my opinion). I've never done something like this on my own before- arranging all the details, educational and travel alike.

It was a bit terrifying to take such a big step towards my trip. It's starting to feel so real! And it should, because I leave in a little over a month. !!!!!

My plane departs from Dulles on August 16 and it's about a four hour ride to Quebec with one stop in Toronto. I'll be living in Quebec until December 16! (With a quick trip to North Carolina in October to see my new nephew who is due October 1.)

Bonus: I get to fly Air Canada and not Southwest. Haha! 

Next up I need to pay my BLI bill this week and schedule an appointment with my allergist so I can get a supply of my allergy and asthma medications. I'm really hoping that all my allergies magically disappear in Quebec, but since it's basically a forest I'm not getting my hopes too high. 

Le processus

I actually started the process of choosing a program back in November of last year. By the time that semester ended I knew where I wanted to go: the French speaking city of Quebec. However, it turned out that my college didn't have an established program up there, which meant I had to create a petition.

Many, many phone calls and stack of forms (in triplicate, please!) later and I was able to turn in a completed petition in early March of this year. After turning it in I was euphoric. So much worry and angst had gone into its completion. I spent so much time running across campus between classes to get forms signed three different department heads. 

During this time I also applied for my passport (I didn't know they were that expensive!) As the post lady signed my forms she exclaimed "now you can go anywhere!" That was pretty awesome.

Then came the waiting. But so did midterms and Spring Break.

On one very uneventful evening, I opened up my email and saw it: your program has been approved. And this was after a lady assured me I wouldn't earn approval, so take that, pessimistic lady! 

Now I was officially going to Canada to learn more about the beautiful and difficult language that is French.

After all this excitement, I had to actually pass French 102 (I did, B+!) and attend a boring, but necessary, financial aid appointment.

I also signed up for an intensive five week French immersion class. "I never do things the easy way," my life motto apparently. 

I received an A- in my latest French class! I've never been more thrilled. Especially because my final was an essay written in French. Majorly terrifying. But I managed to write a somewhat coherent essay of 930 words. It is nice to see evidence of improvement, especially since the class was so rigorous. 

Now all that's left is to keep studying (I bought a thousand French flashcards off Amazon!), research, pack and try to prepare myself for this new adventure.  

Progress

This list cracks me up. It's a pretty good indicator of how much I think I can accomplish, but isn't actually possible.

All four of those items are major things, especially considering that I tend to freeze when having to make big decisions.

I did manage to accomplish my financial aid meetings and French class in June.

But I just managed to take my placement exams and buy my plane tickets on the fourth of July. A little ironic, non?

My July list isn't actually written (the horror!) but I know what's on it: finish my last month of work, research Quebec, pay my BLI bill, research how to pack. Not very thrilling, but very important.

And of course, I'm trying to build this blog. I've almost decided on the schedule of content for this fall and I've almost caught up on posts I needed to write. Keep an eye for new posts coming later this week!

My Story

Bonjour! I don't think I've ever been quite this excited to write a post before.

My name is Della, I'm a college student with simple goals: to graduate college and explore the word. Since I've still got a few more semesters to go until I receive my diploma, I decided to work on my other goal: traveling this beautiful world.

Growing up my six siblings and I frequently played with the big blue atlas and spinning globe, putting to use the knowledge we had previously acquired after devouring the latest issue of National Geographic.

We would daydream about faraway places with unusual names. We would spin the globe, close our eyes and randomly pick out a country that we wanted to live in. Who needed geography lessons after this?

Having a father in the military who has traveled to nearly every country only furthered my longing to see more of the world. I remember when I was about eight I asked him to list all the countries he had visited- I was enthralled and curious.

I like to think that I am well suited to living and traveling abroad. I like to be alone when discovering and processing new things. As one of seven kids, I'm used to and enjoy chaos, as well as having learned to be flexible as plans change and unravel. (A trait I inherited from my mother.) As a novice writer, I believe these experiences to be necessary not only in broadening my world views, but also in developing and refining my voice as a writer.

My writing heros are Ernest Hemingway, Anthony Bourdain and Gerald Durrell. Bold, courageous and daring writers each with a unique perspective on life and humanity. Just the type of writer and person I want to be.

A global perspective is essential for a writer and I'm determined to gain one. I've decided to go about this using my French studies as my compass.

I picked French not because of a previous affection or attachment, but because I did not want to take Spanish or Chinese. I figured I would fulfill my four semester requirements and quickly say au revoir to language studies. But French presented itself as my ticket to the outside world.

After a few weeks of French, I was already googling study abroad programs in French speaking countries.

Somehow I stumbled upon programs in Quebec- the French speaking neighbor to my north. A quick examination showed that studying there for an entire semester would cost no more than a semester at my current college. The dream was realized and the process of applying embarked upon. (For more info on this process, click on the Study Abroad Timeline above.)

For these next few fall months, I will be attending Bouchereau Lingua International, a language school based in Quebec. I will be studying and speaking French while exploring this historical city.

I'm so incredibly excited to document my new adventure on this blog, and please, if you have any advice about traveling abroad or living in Quebec, leave a comment or send me an email. I need all the advice you can give! I'm just a baby when it comes to exploring this world.