23 June 2009

Visa

I finally got my passport with visa in it this morning! I've heard lots of different things about visas. Some people say to start the process as soon as possible and others say to wait until arriving in Germany. I'd advise anyone who needs a visa to start early! My mom and I began filling out the paperwork and everything in April and I just got my passport with visa inside back today! So it definitely takes a long time...longer than you would expect.
The nearest consulate is in San Francisco, so that's where I had to send my passport and paperwork. It really helped that we went to an honorary consulate on Mercer Island who helped expedite the process by stamping and signing the papers.
One thing I have to say about the visa is that it is really cool looking. It has rainbow coloring and this shiny stamp of the world on it. Also, there are so many little designs on it that keep people from trying to produce counterfeit visas. My visa lasts for 90 days...obviously I am going to be in Germany longer than that! Once I get to Germany, I have to go to an Auslander office where they can give me the permanent residence visa or whatever I need to stay for the entire year.

On another note, I only have 1 day of school left!!!!! And only 40 more days until Washington D.C. and 44 more days until I arrive in Germany!!!!

It's really happening...:)

02 June 2009

Pictures of St. Michael Gymnasium, Monschau

Hopefully these aren't all too small! I had to get them off the internet so maybe they aren't very good.

I think this is the courtyard of St. Michael

Another part of the school.


Ein Klassenzimmer...class room. No inspirational posters like in American classrooms :)haha


Another part of the courtyard maybe??

Biologiezimmer...some sort of Biology/lab room
I don't think I am going to be able to put pictures of my host family up because I can't figure out how to save the pictures off the documents they send me and attach them to these posts. But once I get some pictures that I can post, I'll put them up as soon as I can. Exactly 2 months from today I'll be leaving for Washington D.C. and then Germany!
Dang the pics are kinda small. Sorry...




Some Pictures

My school is here in Monschau!
This is another picture of Monschau. It is about a 15 minute bus ride from Lammersdorf/Simmerath. It's so pretty there!
Next I'm uploading host family pictures so keep checking for new posts :)