Summer Update

Hey guys,

So its been a while since I've posted anything because I haven't had anything to update you guys on, but now I finally do. After about a month and a half wait I finally have my CAS to I can start the visa process. Its such a stress relief that I finally have that so I can start the process so I can finally buy a plane ticket. I guess it took so long because there was a computer issue in the UK so I had to wait a bit longer. But now I will start the process for a visa and I will eventually need to head down to the British consulate in Boston to finish up the process so I can get my visa. So I will be doing that in the coming weeks and I will also need to get some loans, which I will also start looking for next week.

But the summer is flying right by and before I know it I will be on the flight to head over to heathrow, and on a bus down to plymouth. I have also found out that I will be in London for the holidays, because my grandmother and father are going to be coming to see me well I'm in the UK. Maybe I can get them to see a football match when were there. I'm going to try and see a Fulham game, but we'll see. So as things keep progressing I will be able to keep you guys updated on my progress to finally get to Plymouth. I hope you have a good one, and seize the day.

-Tucker

Link to the go fund me- gofund.me/s5nrtq8

Peace Out PSU

Hey guys,

So this is a bit late due to the fact that I've been super sick the past several days. I fell like its been months since I've felt normal and not sick, but maybe because I'm home I'll feel better.

So things are going great. Finals are done and over with, and I've finished my sophomore year at Plymouth State University. It was a super busy year with classes, organizations, and this whole study abroad thing going on, but it will be missed I think. This year was a lot of fun, and I really don't know the proper way to describe it, because I had no idea that this year was going to turn out the way it did.

I mean I moved into Langdon Woods last summer (building above) not thinking this year would be anything different from last year, but I was wrong. I realized that I have made some great friends that would do almost anything for me at the drop of a hat, and that I became a huge part of programs on campus over the year that they wish they could keep me for next year. If I had to do it all again I wouldn't change a thing about it.

But the thing that I think got me the most during the final week I was at PSU this year was that I was saying goodbye to people that I wont see for a year. That really didn't hit me till I started to drive home, but I won't see these people next year, the organizations will keep growing well I'm away, and someone is taking my job at the HUB when I'm gone. I mean it's weird in the sense that I won't be there, but then I realize that I am going on a trip of a lifetime, and to be honest life here can go on here and I'm perfectly fine with that.

So I'm sitting here thinking what has PSU taught me this year and I would like to think that there is a list of things. But one thing that I think that has to stand out to me that I've learned over the course of the year is due the things in life that make you happy because no one will do it for you. This year I've done so much for myself and to make myself happy, and its been a long time since I've focused on myself like that and I've learned from it. But there is still one thing that I am going to be doing for myself, and it starts in September. PSU thank you for the past two years, I'll be back in a year, but I'll be heading to Plymouth, UK in the fall and going on a whole new journey.

-Tucker

The GoFundMe is still going so if you want to donate fell free at the link below:

gofund.me/s5nrtq8 

Pre-departure Orientation

Hey guys,

Its been a while since I've had a chance to write, but things have finally slowed down class and work wise so I wanted to update you all on whats going on.

First I just want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to help me get over to Plymouth. Whether it was just a share or it was was a donation it means a ton and I can't thank you enough.

But on to some good news. Over the past few weeks I had the opportunity to figure out what classes I want to take well I'm abroad, as well as the online classes that I will be taking from PSU when I'm abroad. We figured out that I will need to take a online class over the summer in order to graduate on time because of my study abroad. Other than that its just a matter of hearing back from Plymouth, taking care of housing, a visa, and a flight then I'm ready and set to go.

Last night how ever I got the opportunity to meet several students from both Plymouth, and Middlesex Universities, as well as go through my pre-departure orientation where I meet the other two PSU students that will be in Plymouth with me next fall.

First things first we all sat through a powerpoint that filled all of us in on things like culture shock, what and how to act when getting off the plan, dealing with money the whole nine yards. I asked a few questions, and some of my key questions got answered last night which is helping me to prepare. I got a chance to meet both James and Josie who are going to Plymouth with me which was really great to put faces to names.

After the powerpoint we had a chance to speak with Josh, who is a student here from Plymouth University. He filled us in on what the first two weeks are like, and what life in Plymouth really is like. But one thing he said really kinda stood out. He had just finished talking about what life in Plymouth is like and he told us rarely to say no to doing something. Whether your extremely tired, little bit sick or just want to relax, try your best to go and do as much things that you could do. That stuck out to me because I really want to do as much as I can theres, so it makes me thing that I will follow that philosophy when I'm there.

The chance to meet the people that I will be studying abroad with, and the fact that its so close to heading over there is crazy. They asked how we feel now that we had gone through the pre-departure I was the first to say pumped and ready to head abroad.

-Tucker

Gofundme link: gofund.me/s5nrtq8

I Need a Little Help from My Friends

Hey everyone,

I wanted to take a quick minute of your time if you have stopped on my page to ask for your help, and really what the main goal of this page is.

First I want to talk to you all about my go fund me account that I started. I was told recently that I am currently going to need to find the money to cover my flight and my housing when I study at the University of Plymouth. Due to my fathers G.I. benefits only going so far, and that my family can not assist me monetarily its up to me to find the money. And that's one of the reasons I'm turning to you my family, friends, readers, and supporters. I need as much help as I can in reaching my goal and ultimately my dream of studying abroad. I am doing all that I can to get as much money that I can to achieve my goal, but I will still need your help. I will leave the link to my GoFundMe at the bottom of this post so you can take a look at how you would donate. If you can't donate please share it if you can, but above all anything that you can do to help would be massive.

Now my goal of this page is to show other students the process of studying abroad, and how it can be an eye opening experience. I am going to posting at least once a week to keep, all of my readers informed about what I'm experiencing well I am studying abroad, and keep you all up to date with what I'm doing. I want people to have an idea of what to expect when they go to study abroad.

I want to thank everyone of you that have been reading this since I started writing it, and for those of you that are about to join me on this great adventure. I want to give back to my school and to any students that want to know what the experience is like studying abroad, and with your help I can make that possible.

Thank you all,
Tucker  

Link to my GoFundMe:  gofund.me/s5nrtq8

Update #1 Still Waiting

Hey guys!

I know it feels like forever since I've last posted, but we are still playing the waiting game with hearing back from Plymouth University. I am sure that we will be hearing something soon, and then I can focus on planning and fundraising for this trip. I also will be working with the VA to try and see how they will deal with my VA benefits when I am studying over in England.

But overall everything is moving really smoothly as of right now, and just waiting for things to get processed. I also got a chance to make a logo for this blog, and if you like it let me know in the comments below and if you guys would like it on a shirt.

But I will keep you all posted on what else is going on next I hope all of you have a great day and I'll take to you then.

-Tucker

The waiting game

Hey guys,

So I have been out of state for a while and I haven't had a chance to update you guys. Will all of the paperwork that was needed for the application have been done and has been sent over to Plymouth University for them to look at and to tell me I'm going there next year. So now its just waiting so its a bit of a pain, but I'm looking forward to hear some good news from them soon.

I just got a summer job to start getting money together for this trip. I will by a camp councilor which will be a great summer job. And I've been talking to a friend of mine who is going to be going to plymouth in the spring semester to backpack Europe which would be nice, but with that there is a lot of planning, but we can get it done.

I'll let you guys know when I get total conformation from Plymouth and then I will be getting all the pre departure stuff done. So until then you guys have a good one.

-Tucker

Paper Cuts from Paper work

Hey guys,

So from last time I talked to you guys I was filling out paper work and applications for study abroad but now I finally have a good chunk of it done, but there is still a ton more to do and take are of. Really the only things that are left to take care of is the Plymouth Uni application, which all thats left is dealing with the passport. I have to go home to photocopy that so that will happen soon, whenever I end up going home. But other than that its just pre-departure paper work and transfer credit paper work so its almost done and the trips almost a reality.

I did get a chance to talk to a current Plymouth student here at Plymouth State which was great. I met  with Laura last week who is a business student from plymouth here for the year. She filled me in on which housing to get, what its like in the city, thats the social atmosphere is like the whole nine yards. I'm totally going to follow her advice and try and get into Francis Drake hall which is right in the middle of campus so it would be a short walk to my classes. After talking to her I'm super pumped to get the final paper work in so I can get over there.

I will keep you guys posted on whats going on, on this end. But if you guys think of anything that you think I should go check out when I go over let me know by leaving a comment below.

-Tucker