Step forward Plan E

Had long, long conversation with the Prof in NZ. Turns out part of "my" PhD has recently been covered by a researcher in Oz, which explains why all the funding went south... actually, NZ is about as far south as it gets, so maybe the funding went north.

My PhD will be re-jigged and re-submitted to the various uni committees - and if that all goes OK, the funding should be back on, hurrah! So Plan E is: wait for uni committees to happen now-December; get medical checks then submit visa application in late December; boyfriend will job-hunt December-March; and hopefully, we'll be Aotearoa-bound in April.

However, I'm feeling a sense of déja vu... so Plan F may also take place beside the scenes: boyfriend and I job-hunt for Napier while waiting for all the above to happen, just in case it doesn't. I don't want to be still here in April saying "Oh dear, that didn't work out"...

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Just what the doctor ordered

The fourth meeting of the Leftfield UK-NZ Emigré Club was held yesterday. (We're a diverse bunch and haven't found too much in common with people at regular NZ emigration meet-ups, interesting and useful though those are.)

Once again, it was a real pleasure to talk over real issues with people who understand - and whose first concern regarding NZ isn't the real estate. (And who unlike people who don't understand emigration, don't say things like "Haven't you gone yet, why is it taking you so long?" or "You must really dislike me to want to go so far".)

The food was good, the company was better and it was great to do so much laughing, not to mention getting a shot in the arm re motivation! A big thanks to G, J, M & R.

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Getting back on the NZ emigration horse

Buoyed-up by encouragement from blog readers, friends, my mentor and my long-suffering boyfriend, I now feel ready to get back on the NZ emigration horse.

© http://www.graphicshunt.com/clipart/

So, Plan E: delay leaving the UK for a couple of months and spend the next few months finding, and applying for, smaller scholarships, to put a pot of money together that will keep the wolf from NZ door for several months/a year. And then trust t0 that once I'm on the spot, more funding will become available. (Which is what happened when I did my MSc.)

Emotionally speaking, on the one hand I wish it had all come right first time round and why should I have to keep searching and re-applying; and on the other hand, gosh I'm a whiny so-and-so, don't I realise how lucky I am to even have a shot at this?

What has also helped boost my mood, is having a Skilled Migrant visa assessment from an emigration consultant at The Emigration Group (which has offices in the UK, NZ and Oz). TEG is currently offering a visa assessment and in-person consultation for £45, rather than the usual £195. The assessment found that even without a job offer, the boyfriend has 105 points and I have 110. Thanks to NZ Immigration Service reducing the points threshold to 110, my points are now enough to make an application for a Skilled Migrant visa to NZ Immigration Service, so if the student thing refuses to work out, then Skilled Migrant (which means permanent residency) looks achievable.

We will go have our consultation appointment with the consultant and discuss whether boyfriend's CVs are NZ-ified enough, would employers be put off by him having a Work visa as opposed to Skilled Migrant, how best to approach NZ employers, etc.

So to brook yet another cliché, onwards and wobbily-upwards.

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At the risk of sounding schmaltzy

I've been feeling very down and confused since receiving the two sets of bad news on the PhD funding front. So reading those supportive comments to my last post, I feel really grateful that people who don't know me from Adam, would take time out of their busy lives, to leave helpful suggestions and moral support.

Thanks so much, you have no idea what it means to me.

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Gosh, how annoying

© Tricia Scott

Well, I didn't get the scholarship and the uni doesn't have the funding for me anymore. Readers, if you have any suggestions at all, now's the time to speak-up.

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Hallelujah!

On Friday morning I received an email: I have my official PhD offer letter, hooray!

I'm very pleased about that naturally. Tonight I have to call the scholarship people and see if they'll give me any news on whether or not I've been successful. No scholarship would mean not being able to take-up the PhD place.

Also, my boyfriend has decided to go for it and give his notice at work. He has an incredibly long notice period, so if he doesn't give it by end of October, we'd be stuck here 'til April. (Well, he'd be stuck, I think I'm going either way, I can't face being in the UK a second longer than I have to, never mind four months longer! ) He's decided to bite the bullet and give his notice early, I think the 70-hour working weeks are beginning to get to him (rolling eyes).

Progress? Sort of, but the long delay from the university meant we've still not been able to apply for visas, so it's hard to tell if there's progress or not.

OK, the queen of doom'n'gloom is signing-off for now.

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An upside to the bad news?

One thing that occurred to me about not getting PhD funding - I won't be tied to a university town and can therefore go live in Napier, art deco paradise.

© www.tripadvisor.com

It looks like they celebrate their 1930s-style heritage - perfect for me, I love vintage cars, clothes, music and can even do the dancing.

Not only is it full of art deco, but it's also on the coast, which is where I long to live.