When I first met the Study USA team, I was attending Queen’s Autumn Careers Fair. The British Council NI stall was promoting a fully funded scholarship to the US for one academic year and I was quite apprehensive, as these things seem to always have a catch!

Nonetheless, I approached the British Council NI Team and they explained how to apply through their website (they also provided a QR code to scan) and I spoke to alumni that had just returned from their year abroad – I really recommend doing this as I think it gave me good first-hand knowledge of how a student that has gone on the programme honestly felt about it.

I started my application shortly after seeing their stall and that’s where my journey began.

Hear about Molly's experience of Study USA

Application Process

When you start the application process the site has a guidance document which I used religiously, to refer back to how I was the right person for this opportunity.

One of the first questions asked was why I even wanted to go on the programme. Throughout my application I stayed very honest, I mentioned how I loved watching Gilmore Girls and other US shows and how they have always intrigued me on how US college life really was. I also mentioned talking to the student at the careers fair and listening to what they had to say.

For my application, I really focused on how even though I was concentrated on my academia, I hoped to do more than just that: I wanted to try new subjects, meet new people, experience a new way of life and embrace American culture while I had the chance.

The application questioned whether I would be able to handle the change – and undoubtedly it has been a BIG change. Here I mentioned moving from Kerry to Belfast on my own to pursue my studies at Queen’s and how this was somewhat difficult and different, but I ended up being happy here and joining a new community that I had never before experienced. I think that the main takeaway from this question was that I was vulnerable and recognised that it would be different, but I’d done it before so I could do it again if I got the chance.

The application asked a couple of questions on leadership skills, teamwork and employability. I used work experience and sports teams as examples here. I’ve always played Gaelic football while growing up so I would have quite a bit of experience with teamwork and leadership from that, but I also tied in projects I had done at Queen’s during my first year with these skills. These projects included group presentations and field work - to name a few.

The application process probably took the most time for me, I worked at it gradually and as you’re limited to 200 words per section I found it difficult sometimes to summarise. However, I think that I got my main points across and handed it in with the hopes of getting into the next round.

I handed my application in around the second week of November and got a confirmation email.

Hear about Louis's experience of Go Global at Queen's

Interviews

I kind of forgot about the whole application then for a month until I got an invite to interview close to Christmas time.

I received the time I would be interviewed face-to-face by the team via email in the second week of January. I had to confirm attendance via a link, and alongside this I also had to upload a photo of my passport.

Although I was given a date and time they advised that in exceptional circumstances this date and time could be changed. I also needed to bring photo ID to the interview.

I had never done an formal interview before and I was undoubtedly nervous. In the email I received it said the interview would take approximately 20 minutes and I was quite struck by that because that seemed like a really long time.

Information on preparing for interviews

In preparation I looked at the questions that were asked on the application form because I thought that the questions asked might be similar; and so I tried to broaden my points and find more relevant experience I had gathered. I kind of took it as a “they haven’t seen my application” opportunity.

Queen’s Careers, Employability and Skills Team also provide information on preparing for an interview on their website and I believe those that got an invite to interview got a workshop. They also offered us mock interviews which might settle nerves. I didn’t personally avail of this service as – being honest, I was concentrated on being at home with family and friends for the holidays and leaving uni where uni was!

When the interview came around I went to the British Council’s offices in the city and waited for my timeslot. Here I met other hopefuls in the waiting room. I was dressed in a cardigan and jeans, so kind of dressy formal but others were in suits and ties so I’m not sure if that has any impact.

The whole interview was a blur if I’m being honest, what I can remember though is that the team were very kind and made me feel at ease – well, as at ease as you can be in an interview. The twenty minutes flew and before I knew it I was done and it was behind me. The second I left the building I just called my mom at home and saying that I basically word vomited everywhere.

In hindsight I think the preparation workshop did really help because I was ready for some things that might have happened, I probably should have taken the mock-interview but it’s done now.

Common interview questions

Interview Result and Matching Interview

I heard back from the interview about two weeks after - I had been waitlisted.

When I got the email I was kind of disheartened because I thought being waitlisted was basically telling me that I wasn’t getting on the programme. The email had said that it was a good thing but I didn’t take it that way.

The Study USA Team had a call with us shortly after to explain what it meant to be waitlisted and that we would receive our place on the list so we could make arrangements for the next academic year – whether that meant staying in Belfast or waiting to hear more.

I told myself that I would hold out hope until March and not look for a house for the next academic year as a form of manifestation – now saying that we had received a timeline with dates so I knew that I should still be able to get a house in the Holylands if I didn’t get a place by then.

Find out more about the Study USA Programme

On February 15^th I received news that I was the next person on the list and I was on the programme, so I accepted it without hesitation. I had got this news just before the college Matching Interview on the last day of February, so I was able to talk to the team about what I was looking for in the institution I was going to and I was able to talk to the person that was matching our aspirations to the right college.

Study USA provided a spreadsheet of the participating colleges so that we could look into them and we were able to list our Top Three before the meeting. This meeting was in-person again and I met other students going on the programme waiting to talk to the team.

We received our college in the second week of March.

Predeparture Meet-Ups

Before leaving we had multiple meet-ups where people from the programme would get to know each other and Study USA would outline what needed to be done.

We had three meet-ups in total and each time we got fed so that was extra incentive to go!

I found these meet-ups incredibly useful. I met people from all the participating universities and I was kept up-to-date on what needed to be handed in to Study USA.

I think it’s really important to meet the people on the programme, especially since I’ve come to the US. It’s nice to know people that are in your time zone that you can call even if you just need to hear a familiar accent. I’ve been really lucky with the people on my programme, we all get along really well and are going through the same culture shocks so I’m constantly talking to them!

Make sure to attend pre-departure events

Study USA provided presentations at each meet up and also brought past students and alumni along to talk about their experience. It helped to keep track of what needed to be done so I wasn’t overwhelmed and it was nice to see past students that were so excited for us to go because they had a great time on their year. In the final meet-up we met Dr. Erin Hinson who is in the US so that we knew someone that we could call while there if we had any issues, need advice or simply want to rant!

A couple of us also planned a pre-departure night out before we left so that was a nice way to say goodbye to Belfast before we left.

VISAs, Documentation and Expenses

I am on an F-1 visa to the US.

To get this I had to get some documentation from my college but honestly Study USA really clarified this. I thought it would be a huge, long, confusing process but they laid it out step-by-step so I couldn’t really get lost.

The most tedious part of the VISA application was the online application. When you are filling out your application, ALWAYS SAVE! The site constantly crashes and there’s so many things to fill out, it's really easy to lose all your progress and have to do it again. I completed my application over a number of weeks because I kept forgetting to save and then I’d be back like six pages and get infuriated and have to take a break, so save your progress on the online visa application.

The visa and SEVIS fee was an expense I had to pay, but depending on whether you have an Irish or a British passport the price varies.

Don't forget to save your progress in your visa application!

The British Council provided students with a day in the US Embassy in Belfast that was reserved to participants on the Study USA programme. I attended this date, I actually found it really enjoyable and met a lot of people on the programme here too before our final Pre-Departure Meeting. The people at the embassy were lovely and knew about the programme.

Each college is different but in order to receive the necessary documentation from my college I needed certain vaccinations. These vaccinations were all ones I got as a child that I needed boosters for, or ones that I got in secondary school – but again, these requirements are specific to the college you will be attending. This took quite a while for me because there’s no central vaccination information hub in the south, so I had to go from my GP to my school and all over the place to track them down. For some vaccinations, like for chicken pox, you need multiple doses so also don’t leave that to the last minute because it can cause unnecessary stress before flying out.

Health insurance is also an expense I had to pay. Some colleges offer health insurance to you, others don’t – it depends.

The British Council provide guidance on what to look for in the insurance policy and what the minimum coverage is to be able to go on the programme is. Colleges may also have a minimum coverage policy. The price of this varies hugely from company to company so I would shop around to get the best deal as it can be extortionate in some places.

Ensure you are up to date with vaccinations

There is also a participation fee to go on the programme but it’s not near the cost of tuition for a year. Our tuition for Queen's was also waived for a year.

Flying Out and Other Things

Before I left I was able to choose my classes with my International Advisor. I had two calls with her; and to participate in the programme I needed to basically take two business related classes, two of my home degree's classes and one elective per semester to make at least 30 credits by the end of the year.

For my business classes I’m taking Human Communications and Spanish – even though I’ve never done Spanish before! Parasitology, Mycology and Algebra relate to my home degree and drawing as my elective for this semester.

Study USA provided my return flights to Atlanta so when received my itinerary, I was ready to go.

I flew out in the middle of August but that is different for everyone in the programme. I know a few people that were on flights with people on the programme, so they went to the US together.

Travel essentials!

Although the process wasn’t linear, I ended up on the programme and since landing I have been in contact with Study USA and their guidance has really prepared me to overcome the homesickness and everything that comes with that. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey in the US and hope that this blog might help someone thinking of going on this programme.

Mise le meas,

Annie.

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Annie Ní Néill   Biological Sciences | Undergraduate Student | Kerry, Ireland Dia duit! My name is Annie, I'm from Kerry and this year I'm studying abroad in the US. I'm hoping to share my experience with you and all the twists and turns on this journey.  This is my third year in Queen's and I will be returning home in for the next academic year to finish my degree.  Some of my hobbies are Gaelic Football, learning Irish, going out with friends and trying to find a palatable coffee in the US!