“Time: fast and invisible”, when you’re at the very end of writing your Thesis…..

Thursday, 14 January 2010 14:27

After visiting a conference in Boston I made my second trip to Philadelphia last month; I must say the more relaxing way to visit a city is without a job interview… Honestly, I can’t wait to start there in April! However, so many things need to be arranged before…

Visa application is one of the most important things that need to be arranged. I had the luck that UPenn started my application as soon as I accepted the job. First they send me the first forms to fill in regarding mainly some basic stuff…then I sent the forms back to them and they filled in their part. By now I have the so called DS-2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility) which is necessary to apply for the Visa at the consulate. There are many different Visa’s one can apply for…it is really necessary to dig into this before and during the application. That is actually where I am at the moment. I hope to arrange the application at the beginning of 2010, hopefully this will be on time to arrange everything before April…finding the apartment is on the list as well…and grant application….

At the moment, my priority is the Thesis. If everything goes to the reviewing committee before Christmas, I might be able to defend in March…otherwise, I will have to postpone everything a little bit…but this is really my last escape. I realize that I have four weeks left to finish up my last experimental chapter and the discussion…it’s still do-able….but no time for delays! Hopefully, my next blog will be signed by an almost-PhD with tips how to write a grant proposal and find a proper apartment in the USA!!!

Ciao!