It's here! Well, almost...

Today I finally got an email from QUT to say that my information package from Rikkyo has arrived. I didn't know however, that I would be required to go and pick it up. We were under the impression that QUT would forward it to us in the mail. Why Rikkyo couldn't have just sent it directly to our home addresses I'll never know. Guess I'll be making the 2 hour round trip in to uni sometime this week to pick it up. Sigh. Oh and for those of you who were wondering, no this package doesn't include our CoE (Certificate of Eligibility) which we need in order to apply for our visa. This will be sent sometime at the start of August (or so we've been told). I've requested that Rikkyo send this directly to me, there's no way that I'm making the trip in to uni twice when I don't have any classes!

I've also been emailed by COBBY. COBBY stands for College Of Business...something something. Actually I have no idea what the B and Y on the end stand for. But basically if you are enrolled into Rikkyo's College of Business (which I am as I'm doing a business degree at QUT) you will be given the option to have a buddy who is Japanese and a student at Rikkyo. Of course I've said yes, because I'm going to need someone who can answer my stupid questions. Like how to tell a hairdresser that I'd like my fringe trimmed. I can just see that turning out disastrously if I ask for the wrong thing...

I'll let you know what the information package says once I've picked it up!

Anthea xx

Anxiously waiting...

Hello! Long time no post! I've wanted to write a post, really I have, but I've had nothing to write about because Rikkyo hasn't given me any information yet. They originally said that we'd be sent an information pack at the start of July, then it got pushed back to the middle of July, and now on July 22nd I still haven't received anything. I'm starting to get a bit anxious with all the organising that still needs to be done for this trip. For anyone planning on going to Rikkyo in future, do not expect them to be too organised.

So what have I done so far to prepare for this trip? Well, not much to be honest. I've bought a lighter suitcase because my old one weighed about 5kg, a new laptop (which is already off being repaired and I have no idea when I'll get it back), and I've bought new shoes because I figure I'll be doing a lot of walking in Japan and my old shoes were falling apart. From what I've heard it's pretty hard to find AU size 9/10 shoes in Japan so I've decided to take more shoes rather than clothes (damn luggage restrictions!). I've yet to do anything important like get travel insurance, but I'm sure once I actually hear from Rikkyo it will kick my butt into gear!

And a side note for anyone else going to Rikkyo in September this year, a facebook group has been started so that we can get to know each other. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/482468281844396/

I'll let you know as soon as I hear any information from Rikkyo!

Anthea xx