Preperation For Connecticut

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) gives every student the opportunity to study abroad whilst on their course. What they fail to inform you, is that this is dependent on your ability to fill out forms. I can now fill out forms with the best of them.

I’m Philip North, a student at UCLan for the second time after studying Bespoke Cabinet Making & Furniture Design. I managed to gain employment at Paul Case Furniture in Osbaldeston (www.paulcase.co.uk) for a couple of years and loved every minute. I then decided to swap my chisel for a pen, returning to education to study Creative Writing and Journalism. Although this put Paul in a difficult position, he did support my decision and wished me the best. When I realised I had the opportunity to study abroad, I grabbed it with both hands and began to painful process of jumping through hoops. It seemed that every time I handed in a finished booklet, I was handed another.

From the 25^th August, I will be a student at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in the USA. I will be sharing a room with another student, with the horrible possibility of bunk beds. I have been given the e-mail address of my new roommate and got in touch with him a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately I have still to hear back. I'm already imagining the worst. Please just don't be smelly. Meanwhile other students from UCLan taking the same journey have already chummed up with their new roommates. Unlike our own Universities, we are not provided with a kitchen. Instead we must pay $4000 for an all you can eat, three times a day, meal plan. Should I return a little more rotund, I blame everyone but myself. This price tag however, on top of flights, accommodation, insurance, resulted in having to work two jobs and sell everything but the kitchen sink on ebay. I said my goodbyes to my little Peugeot 206 as we both held back the tears. I had even cleaned it for the first time the week before we parted.

Last month I took a trip to London to apply for my American Visa. An eight hour coach trip folding my 6 foot 4 inch frame into the seats was perfect preparation for the flight ahead. Arriving five hours early I sat and watched rush hour at Central Station. Images of Simba caught in the gorge, with the antelope running at him sprang to mind as a fellow tourist was caught up in the crowds. It also took me three full laps of the station before I realised that litter bins don’t exist in London. Life is definitely much more laid back in the hills of Lancashire.

To get entry into the Embassy you aren’t allowed to carry anything electrical, no mobile phone, ipod, kindle, not even a pair of headphones. Security stuck to these rules with dedication as the lady in front of me was sent away after queueing for 45minutes to get this far.  Inside it's like Argos, you have a number and multiple windows with everyone sat in a waiting space. They call your number; you give the person at the window your documents, have your fingerprints taken and sit back down. You then get called to another window, answer some questions then leave. All in all, I think I was inside for an hour. Long enough to fall asleep in my chair as I waited. Luckily someone next to me woke me up when my number was called.

With 13 hours until my return bus home, I jumped on a tour bus and visited Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament etc. I must say however, the best part was going on the Jack The Ripper tour. You walk around all the key parts of London associated with the murders as the guide explains the variety of theories of who he actually was. The worst part was having to pay through the nose for a pint of cider.

My bags are packed, camera charged, pen full of ink, and convict style passport photo in hand. I have a Union Flag for my bedroom wall, a ticket for my last Blackburn Rovers game until next season, and have begun emptying the fridge in my bedroom of the Strongbow it contains. A job that I hate, but someone has to do it.

I will keep you updated on my goings on over the pond every four weeks in the Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, and more often on here as I experience the American way of life.