I need to get all my immunizations up to date. I am entitled, under the NHS, to have certain immunizatnios kept up to date for free. OK no-one I know does but it is our right to have them.
I phoned my GP to arrange to have it done. Anyone would think I was asking to have travel vaccinations to go to Mars or something. It's been very hard work to get something that I am entitled to. But anyway finally the appointment is on Thursday. I just hope that I actually get the injections, the receptionist kept on referring to my appointment to chekc if my immunizations are up to date, I kept correcting and saying "yes, that and actually giving them to me so that they are all up to date".
We shall see.
Monday, 12 February 2007
Monday, 5 February 2007
Random worries
I keep having very random thoughts and worries about this whole thing. I mean I really want to do it, I'm just getting snarled up in the details.
I have to have a medical examination by my GP to get my visa. They tell us it'll take approximately 2 hours and that we'll probably have to pay. I made a preliminary enquiry with my GP just to find out how much it'll cost so that I could start saving for it. The receptionist was adamant that they wouldn't do it, they only allow a double appointment, 20 minutes, for medical exams. So what am I going to do about that?
I also need to have had a BCG immunisation in the last 5 years. If not a chest x-ray needs to be taken to show immunity. I had my BCG when I was in school as did everyone else my age. I don't fancy a chest x-ray or paying for it. Mum just suggested a way out would be to just get another BCG which is a great idea. I thought that as I'm a teacher I would just speak to the school nurse about when the next round of immunisations are in school and try and get it done at the same time. However, it would appear that they no longer immunise every child at a certain age, only those at risk. I may try asking anyway.
The alternative is to phone up my GP tomorrow and ask to have it done there. I'm going back to Wales next week, where my mum lives and where my GP still is, so I might be able to get it done. We also need to have up-to-date immunisations to work in many school districts in the States so I was thinking of just asking to have everything done that could be possibly out of date. I've no idea how much it'll all cost, though maybe I'll be able to swing having a lot of them done for free, I can claim to be exposed to lots of germs being a teacher.
Currently I live in a rented house. It has two bedrooms so I put on my application form that there was room for 2 adults and a child. I'm waiting to receive a not insignificant amount of money at the moment. I'd like to use it to buy a flat so that I don't have to worry about the landlord getting suspicious that I'm not living there and also so that I know I've definitely got somewhere to live when i get back. Problem is I can only afford a one bedroom flat in this area, which is absolutely fine for just me but might cause a problem if I'm matched with someone who suits my current 2 adults and a child accommodation. What I need is a donor, or several donors to give me money so that I can afford a 2 bed place!!!
I might be going out to Florida at Easter. My family are going and they want me to go with them. I'm in two minds though as I feel I really ought to be saving money. But if the match with my partner has already been made then i was thinking I could take a few days out of the holiday to fly or drive to meet my partner and see my new school. It would be terribly exciting. I doubt there's many who meet their partner before the Washington orientation and even fewer that see their new school. So do I go or do I stay?
I'm worried about making friends when I get there. I know, or at least hope that some kind of support network will have been put in place for me but they may meet me and decide they don't want anything else to do with me. I know what in the first couple of meetings with new people the general impression I give of myself is that I'm a miserable cow. I have been told this by most of my, now very good, friends.
I'm dreadfully shy with new people in a social situation although I am learning to overcome it somewhat now it is still very much present. It happens in new work places as well, so maybe my "friends" and my new colleagues will think I'm miserable. I hope not. I'm sure I will make friends. I mean I moved to London not knowing a soul and now I have a great group of friends. But it is a worry.
I have to have a medical examination by my GP to get my visa. They tell us it'll take approximately 2 hours and that we'll probably have to pay. I made a preliminary enquiry with my GP just to find out how much it'll cost so that I could start saving for it. The receptionist was adamant that they wouldn't do it, they only allow a double appointment, 20 minutes, for medical exams. So what am I going to do about that?
I also need to have had a BCG immunisation in the last 5 years. If not a chest x-ray needs to be taken to show immunity. I had my BCG when I was in school as did everyone else my age. I don't fancy a chest x-ray or paying for it. Mum just suggested a way out would be to just get another BCG which is a great idea. I thought that as I'm a teacher I would just speak to the school nurse about when the next round of immunisations are in school and try and get it done at the same time. However, it would appear that they no longer immunise every child at a certain age, only those at risk. I may try asking anyway.
The alternative is to phone up my GP tomorrow and ask to have it done there. I'm going back to Wales next week, where my mum lives and where my GP still is, so I might be able to get it done. We also need to have up-to-date immunisations to work in many school districts in the States so I was thinking of just asking to have everything done that could be possibly out of date. I've no idea how much it'll all cost, though maybe I'll be able to swing having a lot of them done for free, I can claim to be exposed to lots of germs being a teacher.
Currently I live in a rented house. It has two bedrooms so I put on my application form that there was room for 2 adults and a child. I'm waiting to receive a not insignificant amount of money at the moment. I'd like to use it to buy a flat so that I don't have to worry about the landlord getting suspicious that I'm not living there and also so that I know I've definitely got somewhere to live when i get back. Problem is I can only afford a one bedroom flat in this area, which is absolutely fine for just me but might cause a problem if I'm matched with someone who suits my current 2 adults and a child accommodation. What I need is a donor, or several donors to give me money so that I can afford a 2 bed place!!!
I might be going out to Florida at Easter. My family are going and they want me to go with them. I'm in two minds though as I feel I really ought to be saving money. But if the match with my partner has already been made then i was thinking I could take a few days out of the holiday to fly or drive to meet my partner and see my new school. It would be terribly exciting. I doubt there's many who meet their partner before the Washington orientation and even fewer that see their new school. So do I go or do I stay?
I'm worried about making friends when I get there. I know, or at least hope that some kind of support network will have been put in place for me but they may meet me and decide they don't want anything else to do with me. I know what in the first couple of meetings with new people the general impression I give of myself is that I'm a miserable cow. I have been told this by most of my, now very good, friends.
I'm dreadfully shy with new people in a social situation although I am learning to overcome it somewhat now it is still very much present. It happens in new work places as well, so maybe my "friends" and my new colleagues will think I'm miserable. I hope not. I'm sure I will make friends. I mean I moved to London not knowing a soul and now I have a great group of friends. But it is a worry.
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Forms to post
I finally got round to posting off the forms that were sent with the acceptance letter. Very bad of me I know but one of them was to say that yes I was definitely going to take part and I wanted to think about it.
But they've gone now. I've signed my life away. I've stated that:
But they've gone now. I've signed my life away. I've stated that:
- I wish to proceed as a candidate in the exchange
- I have sufficient funds available (at least £18,000!!!!!!). Well, I will have through the year with my salary, I hope it doesn't mean I should have it in one lump at the start
- How I heard about them. It's so long ago that I actually can't remember. I made something up.
- There are no reasons why I might have to withdraw my application
- There are no medical problems which might stop me taking part
- I've had no major illnesses over the last 5 years (except for a slipped disc in my neck which has resulted in exactly zero time off work)
- I'm confident my salary and savings will be sufficient for the year
- I know I have to return to my school on my return
- I don't have a spouse to worry about whether they will find work or not
- I understand that the accommodation arrangements are private between me and my partner
- I'd rather go to San Francisco if I got the choice. Or New York
- I have a valid driving licence
- The religion and sex of the exchange teacher is irrelevant to my school
Monday, 22 January 2007
Letter Arrived 2
Yet another day at work. Lunch time finally arrives. I collect my lunch and head to the staffroom. Before sitting down to eat I check my pigeon hole as usual. There's a large brown envelope. Assuming it to be just the normal post I wander to the table. Glancing at the envelope I notice the British Council logo on the outside. I tell my friend in a worried voice that it's a letter from the British Council. He takes it off me to open, assuming that I don't want to do it myself. I take it back from him and take out the envelope. I read the opening line - "Many thanks for attending our selection meeting. I am pleased to inform you that you have been recommended as a candidate...". I didn't need to read anymore and announced excitedly that I was going to America!
It's still sinking in, though my friends seem very pleased for me. I should start hearing about possible matches in March.
It's still sinking in, though my friends seem very pleased for me. I should start hearing about possible matches in March.
Saturday, 13 January 2007
Interview Day
I had my interview today. I was, strangely, not as nervous as I thought I'd be.
I arrived at the British Council offices, just off Trafalgar Square, right on time at 10am. On arrival I had to go through a set of very bizarre doors. I swiped your security pass, stepped in a cylinder of glass, the door behind slid round behind me. When that was closed the front part of the cylinder slid aside and I could step out.
I went upstairs to find people wandering round. I was given my name badge and pointed in the direction of the tea and coffee. Over coffee I got to chatting with another interviewee. We had half an hour to wait until the day started properly. We chatted for a while, finding out a little more about each other and why we wanted to do the exchange. As we talked around 30 people arrived one by one into the room. Soon there was a loud buzz of conversation.
At 10.30 the day started. We were introduced to members of the panel, amongst them British Council staff, a representative from the US Embassy, members of the exchange committee and alumni of the scheme. We were given a brief outline of the scheme and it's organisation. The speaker then went on to talk about the realities of participating in the exchange. We were given a list of bad reasons to take part in the exchange, such as coming out of a difficult relationship, having pressures at work, wanting to escape something and things that could negatively affect the exchange such as financial hardship. She then went over the agenda for the day.
We were split into groups, one group of primary teachers and two groups of secondary teachers. My group of secondary teachers went upstairs to the boardroom. The view was fantastic. It looked out over the rooftops towards the London Eye and the House of Parliament. There were eight teachers, one of whom had brought her husband, and 3 people on the interview panel - a representative of the British Council, the representative from the US Embassy and someone who took part in the exchange last academic year.
We started by introducing ourselves. I started. I was really pleased with myself, I spoke clearly, concisely and confidently, I also managed to address some of the points that we would be covering in the interview. We formally started the interview by examining our motivation for taking part in the exchange. We were asked how supportive our Heads were and what support plans we had for our partner. I was able to outline what would be in place for my partner and also highlighted the fact that because we had been in special measures, come out of it and improving still (no point in hiding the fact, it'd come out in the OfSTED report they'd read anyway) that we had good support in school, that members of staff supported each other not just in department but across departments as well. I also talked about student teachers and the NQT program that my partner will be able to take part in.
We were asked how we would support our partner socially. I replied that my friends were very much looking forward to getting rid of me so that they could show my partner round! They seemed to like that.
We looked at what we could contribute to our exchange school, for example extra curricular classes and clubs. The representative from the US Embassy spoke at length about various aspects of American life and schools. It was very interesting and gave us all food for thought. The alumnus also told us about things she found difficult and funny anecdotes.
The interview was very long, although it didn't feel it at the time. I feel I said the things I needed to say and explained myself clearly. When we finished we went for lunch. There were plates of sandwiches, with two plates of only vegetarian ones and to top it off the plates were marked as being vegetarian! Yay, it doesn't take much to keep me happy. While we ate lunch we mingled and chatted. During the course of the hour I chatted to the US Embassy guy, the alumnus from my group, other interviewees and other alumni.
When lunch was finished we all remained in the room to be told what would happen next. They told us that we were the last interview group so would hear in the next two weeks if we were accepted onto the exchange. We were given information about visas and told that if we participate in the exchange we won't be able to get a working visa for the USA for 5 years afterwards!
There was then a question and answer session involving everyone from the interview panel. There were some interesting experiences to listen to.
Fingers crossed I hear soon.
I arrived at the British Council offices, just off Trafalgar Square, right on time at 10am. On arrival I had to go through a set of very bizarre doors. I swiped your security pass, stepped in a cylinder of glass, the door behind slid round behind me. When that was closed the front part of the cylinder slid aside and I could step out.
I went upstairs to find people wandering round. I was given my name badge and pointed in the direction of the tea and coffee. Over coffee I got to chatting with another interviewee. We had half an hour to wait until the day started properly. We chatted for a while, finding out a little more about each other and why we wanted to do the exchange. As we talked around 30 people arrived one by one into the room. Soon there was a loud buzz of conversation.
At 10.30 the day started. We were introduced to members of the panel, amongst them British Council staff, a representative from the US Embassy, members of the exchange committee and alumni of the scheme. We were given a brief outline of the scheme and it's organisation. The speaker then went on to talk about the realities of participating in the exchange. We were given a list of bad reasons to take part in the exchange, such as coming out of a difficult relationship, having pressures at work, wanting to escape something and things that could negatively affect the exchange such as financial hardship. She then went over the agenda for the day.
We were split into groups, one group of primary teachers and two groups of secondary teachers. My group of secondary teachers went upstairs to the boardroom. The view was fantastic. It looked out over the rooftops towards the London Eye and the House of Parliament. There were eight teachers, one of whom had brought her husband, and 3 people on the interview panel - a representative of the British Council, the representative from the US Embassy and someone who took part in the exchange last academic year.
We started by introducing ourselves. I started. I was really pleased with myself, I spoke clearly, concisely and confidently, I also managed to address some of the points that we would be covering in the interview. We formally started the interview by examining our motivation for taking part in the exchange. We were asked how supportive our Heads were and what support plans we had for our partner. I was able to outline what would be in place for my partner and also highlighted the fact that because we had been in special measures, come out of it and improving still (no point in hiding the fact, it'd come out in the OfSTED report they'd read anyway) that we had good support in school, that members of staff supported each other not just in department but across departments as well. I also talked about student teachers and the NQT program that my partner will be able to take part in.
We were asked how we would support our partner socially. I replied that my friends were very much looking forward to getting rid of me so that they could show my partner round! They seemed to like that.
We looked at what we could contribute to our exchange school, for example extra curricular classes and clubs. The representative from the US Embassy spoke at length about various aspects of American life and schools. It was very interesting and gave us all food for thought. The alumnus also told us about things she found difficult and funny anecdotes.
The interview was very long, although it didn't feel it at the time. I feel I said the things I needed to say and explained myself clearly. When we finished we went for lunch. There were plates of sandwiches, with two plates of only vegetarian ones and to top it off the plates were marked as being vegetarian! Yay, it doesn't take much to keep me happy. While we ate lunch we mingled and chatted. During the course of the hour I chatted to the US Embassy guy, the alumnus from my group, other interviewees and other alumni.
When lunch was finished we all remained in the room to be told what would happen next. They told us that we were the last interview group so would hear in the next two weeks if we were accepted onto the exchange. We were given information about visas and told that if we participate in the exchange we won't be able to get a working visa for the USA for 5 years afterwards!
There was then a question and answer session involving everyone from the interview panel. There were some interesting experiences to listen to.
Fingers crossed I hear soon.
Friday, 12 January 2007
One day to go.
So my interview is tomorrow. I'm worried about a few things. Like what to wear, full proper suit or a little more casual in smart work clothes because it's a Saturday. I have no idea and my friends have different views.
I'm worried that as it's a group interview the shy person that sits on my shoulder and dominates me from time to time will decide that Saturday is a good time to appear. I'm not good with groups of new people. I do suffer from shyness that seems to make me incapable of saying anything even when I have something I want to say. I soon overcome it but it takes more than a day.
I'm desperately trying to remember everything I wrote on my application form so I can refer to it and develop those ideas. I'm worried I'll forget it all. I've also been brushing up on the ethos of the Fulbright Commission so I can make sure I relate my answer to it. That's not too difficult though. The founder said: “The Fulbright Commission aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.” - Senator J William Fulbright. The Fulbright Commission was started in the aftermath of World War II. It promotes peace and understanding through educational exchange. Senator Fulbright believed that this would be an essential vehicle for mutual understanding between individuals, institutions and future leaders.
The interview is at 10am tomorrow and goes on until at least 3pm. There's going to be talks giving us information about everything then group discussions to explore our motivation for participating in the exchange and what we and our institutions hope to gain from the experience.
Fingers crossed it all goes well.
I'm worried that as it's a group interview the shy person that sits on my shoulder and dominates me from time to time will decide that Saturday is a good time to appear. I'm not good with groups of new people. I do suffer from shyness that seems to make me incapable of saying anything even when I have something I want to say. I soon overcome it but it takes more than a day.
I'm desperately trying to remember everything I wrote on my application form so I can refer to it and develop those ideas. I'm worried I'll forget it all. I've also been brushing up on the ethos of the Fulbright Commission so I can make sure I relate my answer to it. That's not too difficult though. The founder said: “The Fulbright Commission aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.” - Senator J William Fulbright. The Fulbright Commission was started in the aftermath of World War II. It promotes peace and understanding through educational exchange. Senator Fulbright believed that this would be an essential vehicle for mutual understanding between individuals, institutions and future leaders.
The interview is at 10am tomorrow and goes on until at least 3pm. There's going to be talks giving us information about everything then group discussions to explore our motivation for participating in the exchange and what we and our institutions hope to gain from the experience.
Fingers crossed it all goes well.
Friday, 15 December 2006
Letter Arrived!!!!!!!
I got home today, gathered up my post and put it on the side without looking at it. A little later I knocked it down accidentally. When picking it up I noticed one from the British Council. I tore it open terrified it was going to say "Dear Missexchangeteacher, Thank you for you interest. However, we regret to inform you that we will not be inviting you to interview. You are welcome to apply again next year."
What it actually said was "Dear Missexchangeteacher, Thank you for you application form. We are pleased to invite you to interview".
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My application was accepted. The interview is on January 13 2007. It's a group interview and it's going to take all day.
I'm even more excited than I was before now and yet terribly scared that I'll fail the interview having come this far.
What it actually said was "Dear Missexchangeteacher, Thank you for you application form. We are pleased to invite you to interview".
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My application was accepted. The interview is on January 13 2007. It's a group interview and it's going to take all day.
I'm even more excited than I was before now and yet terribly scared that I'll fail the interview having come this far.
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