Blog 52 - Trip.

I would have to say that the trip to come over here to study was probably one of the most important trips I have ever taken. In high school, after carefully considering the academic situation in my country, My parents and I decided that it would be best for me to pursue my higher education somewhere outside the country. Since my older siblings also came to the same conclusion and ended up going to college in America, it was an instant option.

So I began to prepare to take the necessary tests to be able to apply to schools over here. I began to prepare to take the SAT’s and also the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). I had been speaking English all my life, so there wasn’t really that much reading for the TOEFL. The format of the SAT’s however, took some time to get used to. I especially hated how most of the math questions on the test weren’t really math: they just seemed to be elaborate word problems, which was quite annoying. I took the test after studying for it for quite a while, and by that time I was used to this.

Another thing that made the process of getting admissions to college here were the lengthy application forms I had to fill out. In addition to writing essays, I had to send my transcripts and letters of recommendation, which was quite expensive because of the distance. However, the process as a whole helped me get more used to deadlines, and writing in general. I must have over a dozen essays on different topics on my hard drive right now.

So, after going through the whole process and selecting Ohio State, it was finally time to come over here to begin college. I remember getting on the plane, and feeling nervous, asking myself different questions like “Will I fit in?” and “Is leaving my family behind really the best option?” Two quarters in, I can answer those questions confidently. I have been able to adapt quickly, largely thanks to the fact that almost everybody here at Ohio State is so open and willing to help. I can confidently say that I made right choice.