Visa Approved! The Countdown to Madrid Begins!

So much has happened since my last blog, and I can’t wait to catch you up! I applied for my visa at the BLS office in Chicago, and after eight long weeks—I was finally approved! Yes, eight weeks! It felt like forever. I was so anxious because I wasn’t getting any updates, which I later learned is pretty normal. I even emailed the office and received a reply, but it was vague.

I had originally been told my visa would be ready in two weeks, but that wasn’t the case. Finally, during the eighth week, I got the message that it was ready for pickup! I immediately booked a flight from Louisville, KY, to Chicago. It turned out to be the longest travel day ever, but it was so worth it once I had my visa in hand.

This past week, I also booked my one-way flight to Madrid! It’s going to be my second longest travel day—I’ll be flying from Louisville to New York, then on to Madrid. Even though the trip will be long, I’m beyond excited because I’ll finally be there in September!

My Countdown to Madrid: 30 Days Left

More to come soon: what I packed (and whether I actually use it), my travel experience, my first few weeks in Madrid, and, of course, the start of school. I can’t wait to share it all with you!