Hey there everyone! I've been reading these forums for about the past two months. Now that my move will almost definitely occur, I decided it's time to introduce myself. First, allow me to preface my post with a warning that I am entirely incapable of writing fewer than a million words per post.
I am 22 and from South Florida. I've been living and studying in North Florida for over four years now. Due to indecisiveness and a general lack of motivation in the early stages of my studies, I am still working on my undergraduate degree in Computer Science. However, my girlfriend of four years graduated last year and has since applied and been accepted to the School of Oriental and African Studies for an MSc in Development Studies beginning the 23rd of September later this year. Even though she and I are not married, we have been in a relationship akin to marriage for over two years (living together, sharing a bank account and so on). Thus, I can travel with her as her unmarried partner. I still have until December 2013 before I graduate with my undergraduate degree, so that initially posed a problem. Conveniently, however, my degree is offered completely online, and my university has a study centre in London where I can take my proctored exams! It really seems rather too good to be true... except for student loans, of course. Also, my visa will allow me to work full time while there, so that will certainly help reduce the total loan we need to acquire. My main hope is that I can find a job at least vaguely related to my intended field so I can get some work experience as well as alleviate the monetary pressure of massive student loans.
At the moment, we are simply at the stage where she has accepted her offer. Given the very distant start date, we are unable to secure her loan until sometime in June or July. Consequently, we cannot apply for our visas until then. It makes me rather anxious to not have a definite YES, but everything really should work out just fine... I hope. We've determined that we need our flat plus utilities to not exceed £275pw, and as far as I can tell, we should be able to find a small flat for that price near-ish to Bloomsbury. It's going to certainly be small and certainly expensive, but we're ready for that. If anyone thinks that price is outrageous, please let me know. If we live far enough away to warrant the daily use of public transport, then our maximum rent will be closer to £245pw. I have gathered from other posts that it appears we should never sign on a flat before seeing it. I completely agree with that statement. We are thinking that we will stay in a hotel/hostel as soon as we arrive and for as many nights as it takes to find a flat. I'm getting ahead of myself...
Moving along, we both grew up separately as anglophiles and actually met one another because of that shared interest. We have always wanted to permanently relocate to the UK, and luckily we also hit it off in virtually every way possible. Both of us have been, so we know what we're getting ourselves into. She actually spent four months at the aforementioned study centre in 2009 (jealous!) effectively for free because of grants and scholarships. I haven't been as fortunate and my trips have been limited. Though, I do feel sufficiently prepared for the change. I feel at home there.
At this point, you may be thinking, "Doesn't he know it's not that simple to immigrate to the UK?" Well this is where it gets a bit convoluted. I am Swiss through my paternal grandmother. She came to the United States in the 1950s and hasn't moved away since. She is still very involved with Switzerland, though, and visits between one and two months per year. Additionally, I know my family over there (great aunts and great uncles and "first cousins once-removed" ... although, I tend to keep it simple with aunt, uncle, and cousin, respectively) fairly well. It has been a while since I have seen them, but I still exchange Christmas cards every year! I have always been proud of my Swiss background. I have wanted to visit for a long time now, but since becoming an adult and a student, I haven't found the money. Recently I decided to determine whether or not I may be eligible to acquire Swiss citizenship through my grandmother. Long story short, it is doable. The problem is that I am not considered to currently have "close ties" with Switzerland. Basically, the woman from the Swiss consulate told me that since I have never actually been to Switzerland, it can't be done at present. However, she continued to say that if at any point in the future I make a few visits to Switzerland within about a year's time, it would be likely. I asked her if living in London (and therefore, Europe) during the same year would help and she said that it absolutely would. I then asked, since I'm currently taking German courses and should be fairly well-versed by the necessary time period, if being able to speak decent German would help... She said I could practically consider myself Swiss.
So, as I'm sure you can guess, the plan is to visit my family in Bern, Switzerland three times throughout the year my girlfriend is studying at SOAS, finish up and practice my German and then apply for my Swiss citizenship. Then, because Swiss citizens are accorded the same rights as EEA states, I have right of residence in the UK! Plus, my girlfriend can tag along with a family permit. It is very exciting stuff.
I hope that wasn't too terribly wordy. Also, I'm pretty sure that I haven't misinterpreted any laws or regulations, but if you think I have then please let me know. I am just so unbelievably excited for everything! I've been in the same small boring town for over four years now and I'm seriously ready for a change of pace and scenery. It will be quite the adventure and I really hope that everything goes to plan!
That being said, I'm very happy to finally break the ice on this wonderful community, and I hope you'll be hearing more of me in the future. But you're probably hoping not quite this much next time.
Cheers!
P.S. Do I win the award for longest welcome message?
