Beaucoup To Do

So I had my first official meeting on Monday the 18th to discuss some important issues. We went through the itinerary for the first few days as well as a general itinerary for the semester. I am scheduled to fly out of Charlotte Saturday, January 8 and arrive in Belgium the following day, Sunday, January 9. We will spend the first few days in Brussels and then head to Louvain-la-Neuve on the 12th. Classes will begin on January 14.

During the meeting we also decided our class schedules. As for me, in January I will be taking French 398- an intermediate French "crash" course. The from January 31- June 30 I will be taking:

• French 312- Writing and French I
• French 317- Contemporary Francophone Civilization (Which is only available to Clemson students)
• French 398- Intermediate Oral Practice

I am planning on taking one more class but am not really sure of my options. I emailed Kelly Peebles, the program director, some of my class interests and she is going to contact UCL and see what they have available. I am a marketing major with a minor in French and textiles so i would love if they offered something that could some what tie together all 3, or just something that Clemson does not offer. I requested a marketing or management retail class and/or international marketing. So we shall see what Madame Peebles finds out...

During the meeting we also went through the process of obtaining a Belgian visa. I am really not looking forward to applying for a visa, it sounds like a complete pain in the ass, but of course it will be worth it. Thankfully I am not going to be 21 before my departure which means I do not have to get the FBI background check. Applying for a visa hopefully will not be too bad but I just need to set aside the time to do it. For the visa I must:

1. Submit my passport along with a copy of the photo page
2. Complete, sign and date the visa application form
3. Get 2 identification photos made
4. Get a UCL admission letter
5. Get a medical certificate (go to Redfern get a physical and also get it notarized by the study abroad office)
6. Fill out the Financial Support Declaration and get parents signature
7. And finally.... write a money order to the Consulate of Belgium

I have to do all that by Wednesday November 3. So I am planning on completing it over fall break.