Preparation To Attend University Abroad

So I am accepted to go to London. Very great. But I thought I'd blog really quickly about some of the prep work that goes into studying abroad in London.

First, I have had to write many essays this semester. I believe I needed six for the actual application. Then, I've written some for scholarships, my homestay form, and other various required Arcadia University forms. Plus, there are many online and snail mail forms that need to be completed. Studying abroad requires a lot of paperwork. I can't imagine what it would be like to apply to study in America if you are from another nation! I have a new respect for the people who fill out all the paperwork to get a US visa or green card.

On a new note, I'm having some issues with what to pack. I will probably be one of those people who pack too much and have suitcases too heavy to lift. However, at the moment, I do not want to "waste" my money on buying everything I need in London when my money could instead be spent on travelling. In my eyes, I have a lose-lose situation concerning whether to pack as much as possible or buy as much as possible. With that, I am also at a loss as to what styles of luggage I need - duffles, backpacks, spinner suitcases, etc.

I should additionally note that I leave for London in about a month and a half and I still do not know where I will be living or where I will be working. With that, I have been approved to take certain classes at City University, but I will not be scheduled for them until I meet with my advisor once I get to London. Therefore, I will not know whether I will have a three or two day weekend until after I arrive.

I have yet to figure out how I am going to do my banking while I am there. However, I was told to get a pay-as-you-go cell phone plan, because apparently they are notably more commonplace in England than in America. I heard you can even fill up your minutes at gas stations! Kinda random.

The last thing I want to mention is that I am having a difficult time deciding what travel guidebooks to take (and how many). Right now, I am leaning towards a pocket London book, a large London book (probably my Fodors London 2008 book), a large Great Britain book, and a large Europe book. However, those are a lot of books with a lot of weight. Also, it is very hard for me to figure out which Great Britain and Europe books would be best to bring because I keep getting conflicting recommendations (including from online reviewers). I have no idea who to trust about which guidebooks are best (and the least heavy).