Study Abroad

[IronCore]

Well guys Ive been thinking Id really like to go to Europe my junior year for a semester. There are no issues with money or anything of that sort. Id prefer an english speaking country, just to avoid unecesary hardships. Im an A,B Student and going to be a sophmore. I have nothing holding me back either. Any thoughts, advice, or suggestions? Thanks so much guys.
Also I really hate my town and school so it will be nice to get out.
Thanks again.
--Max

...to the bolded text, that limits your option to the UK, you will have a hard time understanding them blokes that you might as well learn another language ... go to Italy

[bentothejam1n]

Well, in my town there is not a single person that I have asked that knows someone who speaks German in my area...The fact that I am purely english (and a little french thanks to the Canadian School System) I decided to take on the challenge of teaching German to myself, and communicating with people from different countries with the internet. I imagine that I will get the biggest culture shock ever, being a lone person going to Germany, but I mean, teaching yourself a language is actually a pretty good mental high. The fact that after 7 months of teaching myself German I am far more competent than the 6 years of canadian schooling taught me french, well, makes you feel pretty good.

I imagine in a month when I will be established in my host-home I will be able to tell you alot more..But so far, the experience I have already received has been worth it; and I haven't even left the country.

Hah i havent learned anythin in my 4 years of taking a language at school
well besides
Ich mochte mit mischa barton schlafen

[eadtf]

A note from Germany

I would agree with just about everything stated above.

I live in Germany now; I have been stationed here since 2000. If you have the opportunity to travel/live abroad DO IT!!! In life you get certain opportunities, GRAB THEM. Especially when it comes to traveling in foreign cultures, when you get older it will be harder and more expensive to just take off and travel around Europe. Having been to nearly 35 countries around the world, my time in Europe has provided me memories and experiences I would not give up for anything.

On a side note, although Europeans play paintball in Germany (I know this for sure) your marker has to have a German stamp on it showing it has been registered with the Government. Unless you can find / get on a American Military base paintball field. PM me if you end up in Germany, I will help you out.

Good Luck,

JUST DO IT.....

Pat

[maxama10]

Well, in my town there is not a single person that I have asked that knows someone who speaks German in my area...The fact that I am purely english (and a little french thanks to the Canadian School System) I decided to take on the challenge of teaching German to myself, and communicating with people from different countries with the internet. I imagine that I will get the biggest culture shock ever, being a lone person going to Germany, but I mean, teaching yourself a language is actually a pretty good mental high. The fact that after 7 months of teaching myself German I am far more competent than the 6 years of canadian schooling taught me french, well, makes you feel pretty good.

I imagine in a month when I will be established in my host-home I will be able to tell you alot more..But so far, the experience I have already received has been worth it; and I haven't even left the country.

Edit...
As for the grades dropping...Well, in 20 years, do you think the fact that you got a B instead of an A- will affect your lifestyle more than an entire year alone to mature into a self sufficient person, and to know an entire new language

Very good point. I deffiently will go, I just cant decide where to go now. Lots to consider.
Thanks,
-Max



Edit : IronCore pointed something out to me. I shouldnt limit myself to Europe, although Id really like to go there. After thinking momentarily, what about Australia. I know nothing about it, but Im sure its a possibility. Which language do they speak there, English?

[magman007]

First off, Contact your local rotary club.

Rotary international has an amazing exchange student program, it is probabally one of the best, and most trust worthy places to go through, it is also the cheepest. I believe it "technically" only cost my parents 500 dollars for an emergency fund, and the tickets to, and from Chile, although I did take a credit card for personal purchases etc. Rotary gives you a monthly stipen, of around 50 dollars. This amount depends on the living cost of the country though.

Second off, do a whole year.

You wont regret staying a full year. It is really worth it, and after you are there for the first semester, you are going to be kicking your self for leaving. I have a second family, and a while network of friends. It was very hard to leave them.

Third, dont worry about the language.

If you go to another country, in which the primary language is not english, dont worry. You will have to learn the language, but if there is an issue, chances are you will be able to communicate in english with your host family, and most people in the country. Learning another language, this way, is the absolute best way to learn one, and you should. It will help you later on in life. Trust me.

4th. Dont worry about your grades. If you are an A-B student, you will probabally leave with a c average for the year, depending on how fast you catch up on the language, and the work. Most foreign schools are structured much much differently than our system, It is also much more rigorous, but rewarding in the end. Even if you get crappy grades, schools are going to look at the fact you spent a year abroad, and they are going to respect those grades.

Also, stop thinking of places you want to go, you wont get them chances are. The way most places work, including rotary, you pick your top 10 countries from a huge list, then they say, well, heres where you can go! and return a list of 3 or 4 countries from what you picked. Pick which one of them you want to go to, and you are on your way. No matter where you go, you will enjoy it, whether it is cold, hot, etc. If you go to a "poor country" dont fuss, because you Will be living with a rich family. Rotary wont send you to a politically unstable, or dangerous country, and if something happens, they will pull you out ASAP.

The location is not something to focus on, where ever you go, you will respect, and love that place.

Also, if you arent happy, you can always leave. If you hate your family, you can always change.

get me on aim tonight, around 10 est, if you have any more questions.