The Cost of the Dream

So I was intrigued and pretty worried about the exact cost of completing the Cultural Representative Program and so I decided to actually bring all the info I've gathered together and get a grand total. Here goes!

Pre-acceptance costs

Since I've gone through the Application Process twice, I can give you a pretty accurate idea!

Clothes for the interview £30

Travel to & from London, as well as Tube £23

Accomadation in London £30

Food and sundries in London £15

Post-acceptance costs

This is what I've found out from seeing a lot of people prepare for their departure over the past couple of years:

CRB check £36

Visa fees:
1. Cost of call to the US Embassy to book appt £10
2. Visa fee ($150) £97
3. Travel to & from London, as well as Tube £23
4. Accomadation in London £30
5. Cost to have Passport returned to you £15

Program Assessment Fee ($100) £65

Flight (depends when you go...) £300-450

Insurance (for just 4 months) £200
OR
Insurance for the whole year £500

Let's face it, there'll be some shopping to do £60

The G*R*A*N*D T*OT*A*L would be £ 925 - 1375

Then you have to consider the fact that there is money to be paid out almost as soon as you arrive:

Travel from the airport to Vista Way Housing Complex

Your first trip to Walmart that day (including a cell phone!)

Eating out/hanging out/going out in the first fortnight

Paying your first fortnight's rent

Perhaps buying Annual Passes to Universal, Busch Gardens & Seaworld

So there's all of that to begin paying out when you first arrive. You don't start work that is paid for almost a week, and then that's only training so not full time. However you still have to pay housing rent from day one(!)
Annual Passes Cost (for Florida residents!):

Universal Studios = $159.99 ~ monthly payments of $8.04
Seaworld = $79.99
Busch Gardens = $77.99

Hmmm, very much money eh? Tell me about it!
Well all we can do is look to the future and wait & see.
If I don't get in this won't mean anything...meh!