Since this is my first entry, I would like to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Ana and I am a sophomore majoring in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and International Business. I am leaving on February 26th for South Korea, where I will be attending Seoul National University (SNU) for the Spring 2009 term. Since SNU starts at the beginning of March, I am leaving my co-op a month early. This is my last week at work and the anticipation is definitely building up. I have been planning this trip since last winter, and now that it is almost time to pack up and leave, I'm just overcome with excitement! Planning for this study abroad program was, at times, really frustrating because there were so many steps involved. To give you an idea of what the planning process looks like (in case you’re thinking about applying), here are a few steps I had to take:

1. Apply through Drexel University and SNU simultaneously. This step included several other items such as: recommendations, course approvals, co-op coordinator approval, etc.
2. Apply for scholarships to help me afford this program (optional)
3. Take Korean language courses during the summer and while on co-op in order to satisfy the language requirement
4. Anxiously awaiting the acceptance letter from SNU and jumping up and down when I finally received it!
5. Providing SNU with all the documentations they have requested
6. Apply for a student visa
7. Buy the plane tickets
8. Find a place to live before we can move into the dormitory

It may look like a lot of work (and it is!), but it was so worth it. I’ve been chatting with many other students from all over the world who will also be attending SNU with me as exchange students. It is so amazing to be talking to people from Finland, Australia, South Africa, etc. and I am even more excited to meet them all when I arrive. Last week I made reservations at a little guesthouse in Hongdae, Seoul where many of the other students will be staying until we can move into the dormitories. Everything is set to go except my visa, which I will have to pick up at the Korean Consulate in New York City. I have not packed anything yet and am contemplating what I should bring with me. From what I heard, Korea’s climate is very similar to our climate here. Since I will be staying from February to June, I think I may have to bring both winter and summer clothes. I hope I can fit everything into my suitcases…