Applying to Graduate School from a Foreign Country and the Hilarity that Ensues….

*A big thanks to my parents who helped me apply by doing team viewer on my computer at home to help me get the files I needed and looking through binders I left at home to scan me old lessons and projects.  I couldn’t have done it without your help…

The first thoughts after reading the email that UT Austin wanted me to come interview:

1.  Wow.  They want ME!!!!! I was one of 8 out of who knows how many applicants. 

2.  That is going to be an expensive plane ticket.

3.  What am I going to wear?! I only have sandals and one pair of pants!

4.  Where am I going to stay and how am I going to get there?

The initial excitement of reading the email was quickly pushed out of the way by my random fears. 

What is a better way to deal with fears than facing them, right?  So… I scheduled a skype interview to ask questions about the different programs I applied to. 

The conversation was going wonderfully – I was getting a lot of questions answered and the director of the program was so thorough and intelligent with her responses.  Just as she was explaining one of my most important questions….

The POWER GOES OUT!

Yep…. True Costa Rican fashion.  I couldn’t believe it… but there was also absolutely nothing I could do about it.  No phone, no internet, no connection to the rest of the world. 

I just sat there in the laundry area (the only place I get good enough internet to skype) and stared at the computer, hoping the internet would suddenly work again.  It could be hours, I thought… or it could just be a minute. 

Absolutely powerless, I somewhat calmly waited for communication to return to my world.  I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at the ridiculousness of the situation – It’s not like the power goes off that often.

When life returned to my computer and the internet breathed its first revitalizing breath, there was an email patiently awaiting me from the director.  She had typed out the rest of her thoughts on my question as thoroughly as if she was writing an academic essay.  She ended the email by saying, “I imagine the internet is being a little cranky—I appreciate your efforts to get on the call. Let's keep brainstorming around the best fit for you. I am going to send you this quick message and then try to Skype you again.”

When we reconnected on skype, she was so understanding and patient and ready to continue, although I imagine she must have been very busy.  I could not have asked for a kinder and more supportive director of a program. 

Number 2 Issue – The Plane Ticket

Buying a plane ticket two weeks ahead of time from a foreign country is really expensive!!!! Luckily, I had frequent flyer miles from years of using a credit card that covered much of the ticket :]  Support all around.

Number 3 Issue – The Clothing

When I moved to a tropical climate, I was not imagining I would apply to and visit grad school during the winter.  I only had one pair of pants and the only closed toed shoes I had were tennis shoes.  That was not going to suffice for an interview in 32 degree weather. 

What did I do…?  Well, first… I went to the Ropa Americana!!! That is like a crazy thrift store full of second hand clothing shipped from the US.  I got these dress pants that were way to big in the legs but fit well otherwise.  They were $4.  Then, I went to the tailor and got them taken in.  That was $3.  Off to interviews with $7 dress pants from the Ropa Americana!  Ay, Dios. 

Next, my own personal styling team in Quepos raided their closets for any and all suitable clothing choices.  One friend just happened to have several pieces of clothing for cold weather and my other friend went as far as lending me her favorite bag because it looked elegant and I couldn’t possibly show up with a backpack.  I love that it was so important that she lent it to me even though she uses it every day.  I also giggle because everyone else there had backpacks – that’s what universities in the US are like :] 

Even her “suegra” mother in law busted out the clothing and dressed me up like I was a fashion model headed to the runway.  They all made me promise that I would fix my hair nicely because they wouldn’t be there to do it.  I love them.  My friend even gave me earrings to wear for good luck. 

Issue number 4 – The Housing and Transportation

This, also just took care of itself…. The department set me up with a current student who turned out to be one of my new favorite people.  As soon as I got off the plane and we greeted each other, it was like we had known each other for a very long time.  By the end of the day, we had inside jokes and were laughing so hard I would crumple to the floor. 

She even had scarves and jackets and socks to give me each day.  We laughed about how people would notice that I was always wearing her clothes, but nobody ever said anything.

She and the other grad students took such care of us that we never even had a chance to feel lost or alone.  I felt so taken care of by so much of the world.  

So much so, that when I got back home to Quepos – my friend and her boyfriend were at the bus to welcome me and help me get my suitcase home. 

Thank you to all of my old friends, new friends, and family for supporting me and making me feel so loved and cared for.  

A good story always has challenges… otherwise it is not interesting… and an even better story is one in which things line up and flow through those challenges in a way that helps you to see that you are on your path.  When you are following your personal legend, the whole universe conspires in your favor. 

And that is what I’m doing…  I don’t know where the path may lead, but 

“making a decision is only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.”

― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist  

So, as one of my English students says… “Letting go!”*

 *(let’s go is what she means to say)

 This picture was my homework after the interview - we were asked to email a photo that represented "what remains" of our time spent on campus.  The title is Illuminating Inspiration through Collaboration.  I think it represents my experience perfectly :]  If you can't tell, I liked it there. 

Now I wait to hear if I'm one of the 4 they want.