After our backpacking adventures during our month long 'spring break',

we had a weekend group trip to Scotland.

We were so exhausted from three weeks through Europe, that we were not looking forward to the visit at all.

I know. What kind of snobbish travel gods did we think we were? 'ughhh, Scotland. I'm like, SO tired from prancing through Europe already, but I guess we'll go...'

Anyways, like you've probably predicted, it was an amazing trip.

One of my favorites.

You can read more about what we did in this old ramble of a post here.

There are few moments when you really get that time to sit down and think about who you are,

and reflect on your life a bit.

But put me on top of the highest mountains and place me in front of an incredible view,

and you got it.

The Highlands in Scotland have some of the most amazing views I'll ever be able to see in my life.

They've got some incredible history as well.

I was able to look at some of the oldest mountains in the world and the newest mountains in the world,

right in the same view,

I was also able to stick my face in a pool of water that was supposed to give me eternal youth.

I'm still wondering why I'm getting older...

I like take pride in my amateur photography skills from this trip too.

Some may say it was the incredible views, but I say it's my natural-born camera skills...

1) Time,
because I'm coming up on ONE MONTH until I move to London,
and I've only been looking forward to this day for, oh, well, the past two years.
IT'S FINALLY COMING UP.

2) Total Blog Move, from Helene In Between.

It's all way too relatable, and just a little bit embarrassing,

but you know you all do it, so whatever. #TBM

3) Everyone Says I'm Running Away, from Nomadic Matt.

This was quite possibly the first travel blog I ever stumbled on, years ago.  And I was hooked.

This article is everything I've felt since I had the opportunity to see more of the world.

I don't want to be normal - I want to find what's different, and I want to experience it.

4) Thoughts From Abroad, from Sara at Bristol In My Pocket.

It's my favorite series, and I totally want to copy her when I finally get to London.

AND she's just added a new travel guide page to her site, which I know I'm going to love.

5) Travel Moments that's actually written by Marielle, but on one of my favorites, Rhyme & Ribbons,
because she hiked a mountain in China that looks terrifying and incredible,
and because I want to ride a camel - but preferably one that's not trying to dine on my leg though..

The other day I found out that the folks I nanny for
have a harpsichord function on their keyboard, and I freaked.
It is such a haunting but cool sound, and made me think of this song right away.
You can see a short version on my Instagram if you're interested in hearing how awesome it sounds.

Because

The song is so simple, but so complex in it's creation.

It's pretty amazing to think about how they approached this in the studio,
and how they probably felt after the finished product.

Getting an actual visa to enter a country is much different than a simple visitor's visa.
It's a lot more than just landing in a country and explaining to immigration your plans.
Unfortunately, they care a little more about their country to just let it be that easy.

There are a few steps to this, and it is a few week process,
but if you have your details organized and all together, it'll be smooth sailing ... or flying.


The first thing you'll have to do is receive your CAS. This is a 'Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies,' and comes in a long number that will be required on your visa application.

As an international, one of two things must be done:

1) Pay your student deposit, which will be anywhere from £1000+.

This is apart of your tuition, so freak out and think that your £4000 deposit is an additional converted mess to run you broke with your school fees (like I did).

2) You are exempt from paying your deposit if you are getting some type of financial aid.

I'm assuming most everyone reading this will be receiving FAFSA or some type of student loan,

so you will likely fall into this category.

Because you are able to pass through the required payment, all you need to do is email your student admissions and request the form to fill out for your CAS number.

This process took me about a week - you'll need to receive the form to apply for the CAS, apply - which takes no time at all, and once finished, the application goes out to the school to process.

After your CAS is administered to you, you're ready to go - time for the application!

For the application, you'll need a few things:

Passport - duh

Information on any previous visas you have received

Where you have travelled to in the past 10 year - even just for a vacation

I know .. a little unnecessary, yea?

Parent details (DOB, place of birth, etc.)

Your course tuition fees

How much money you have to cover yourself (seen as Maintenance Charges)

University information (don't feel lost on these - they should all be listed together either emailed to you with your CAS or on your applicant portal):

University sponsor license number - a number that the University is identified with

CAS number - the number you applied for

Course title - whatever degree you are receiving

Course level - I don't understand these UK levels much, but as an example for you, my course level is "QCF / NQF 7"

Start/End date - official dates of your course beginning and ending - on the website or given to you

And your university's address

At the end of this, you will have to fill in the points-based-system that the UK follows.

For a student visa, the total will be 40 points - made up of:

CAS number = 30 points

Maintenance = 10 points

Total = 40 points

If some of this sounds foreign to you, well, that's because it actually is.

I don't quite understand it all either, but this is more of a guideline on how to fill it out, not why you're filling these things out - ask a Brit for those answers when you arrive.

Those are the major items you will need for your application - if you have all of those together before you begin, the process will be easy.

Heather and I dealt with impulsive applying and having to figure out what everything means/search for whatever we didn't know we had to find. And trust me - not fun.

Don't worry, the fun isn't over yet! That's just the first part.

After you finish your application, you'll need to submit and pay.

Applying for the visa outside of the UK is the 'cheapest' option,

but don't feel so lucky - it's still £310.

Convert that and you'll see you're paying over $500.

I recommend filling your mind with the excitement of your adventures starting a life abroad,

and overpower your exchange rate rage.

Once you submit and make the payment, you're on to the NEXT step.

Nope, we're not done just yet!

After this, you'll need to make an appointment at your local immigration office.

You'll need to bring:

a printout of your visa application (signed)

A printout of your immigration appointment confirmation email

A printout of your visa payment receipt

Your passport

That was all that I was asked for, but the requirements ask for any other supporting documents, so to be safe I also brought:

My university acceptance letter

My acceptance of enrollment letter

My loans acceptance letter

etc. etc. etc.

 The appointment is not as extravagant as you may think.

Basically, they put a stamp on your appointment confirmation email,

take a photograph of you,

and fingerprint you over and over again.

Then you're done!

Oh, not with the visa process. Is that what you thought I meant?

No no, you're done with the immigration appointment.

There is still another step.

Lastly, you'll need to send in all of these documents with your passport.

Yes, physically mail your passport - I mailed mine through DHL, in which I've got a shipping number and details to know where my passport is at all times.

The visa office also sends a confirmation email once they have received your package.

So once it's in the mail, then you're on the waiting game.

Let the UK do the work, and sit and wait for your passport to come back.

And not just your passport,

your passport with a new shiny visa stamp inside of it!

More of a tedious process than a complicated one, if you have all the details organized.

And if you're looking for something much more in depth regarding this process, check out the UK government's visa guideline HERE

Good luck!