17 days to departure

Today, I decided to open a blog to share my experiences with you on my upcoming internship in Geneva. For those of you who haven't guessed yet, I will be going to Switzerland to intern and of course, visit surrounding European countries as well. It will be an experience of a lifetime setting foot in a new continent, learning a new language, meeting new people and getting to know a new way of life. And at long last, I'm really anticipating to cut short the long, rude Winnipeg winters which is way way overdue!

Come January, 2007, I will be working as an intern in the International Social Security Association (ISSA) - International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. Inasmuch as I look forward to being in Europe for the first time, I realized that moving yet again into a new country entails a lot of preparation and planning. You get to follow-up and send repeated emails to your internship sponsor to issue the contracts which fortunately is already here after more than 5 months of repeated representations. Next is to secure the documents needed to apply for a Swiss visa.... As a citizen of a third world country, we are required to sweat it out and gather all the necessary documents ranging from bank certificates, school enrolment certifications (which apparently costs $6.00), and other proofs of financial solvency. Then you need to book and buy your flights as well as purchase a travel and health insurance. Of course, moving to a new city requires that you have a place to live, and you need to find a 'chambre' in a foyer or a student residence. And of course, you need to settle home matters as well, such finishing all your school requirements, pay your outstanding dues (which reminds me that I still have outstanding tuition with the UofM), and other paperworks. I hope my first experience would make me way better in handling things this time around.

yes, Philippine passports are still in autograph form (handwritten), unfortunately.....

I am happy to receive my freshly-evidenced Swiss visa in my handwritten Philippines-passport (yes, unfortunately the primary identification of one's Philippine's citizenship is still in autograph form). Indeed, Swiss embassy staff are efficient as it only took half a day for my visa to be processed. And best of all, since I will be working with an international organization (I don't know if I will get a diplomatic acreditation as an intern... I wish!), they courteously returned my $50 mandat-poste whose part I used this afternoon to watch a movie. I hope all embassy visa section would work in such an efficient manner.

Swiss visa - I'm so happy, the $50-fee was unexpectedly waived for me

Anyhow, my post is getting longer and longer. There you have it folks, my first blog entry. I'm excited but somewhat nervous for my first time in Europe. I hope it would not be as bad as my adjustment phase when I moved to Canada. But first, work needs to be accomplished with my pile of graduate school requirements around the corner.

I'll update this blog whenever I get a chance, and as a motivation for me as well, feel free to write your comments, suggestions and/or violent reactions if there may be any :)

See you around!