Should I do Study abroad?

akvareli · 05-13-2007, 08:32 PM

I'm going to be a junior next year at a very small high school. My class only has 12 people of which I am number 1 rank.. haha.. although rank probalby doesn't matter. Our school only have two organizations and two AP classes.
I was thinking or was presented to an idea of studying abroad IB program where I can get more than my high school offers, but I would have to have an extra year of high school which wouldn't affect me a lot because I am only fourteen currently.
Any ideas?
Should I or Should I not?
Thankyou

smcnair21 · 05-13-2007, 08:35 PM

i think that would be a great idea- ive always wanted to do that- and since your only fourteen id say you should go for it

Anniushka · 05-13-2007, 08:39 PM

WOW. That sounds like an incredible opportunity! Who wants to graduate at 16, anyway?

I say do it.

Gosh, that sounds like fun... the abroad part, I mean, not necessarily the IB part.

akvareli · 05-13-2007, 08:42 PM

Yes, it sounds really fun! I'd love to make it into the program, I just don't know if an extra year of high school will hurt me or if it will hurt me overall.

Anniushka · 05-13-2007, 08:49 PM

You mean, hurt you as far as college admissions goes? Well... since your school doesn't seem to offer much in the way of upper-level courses (judging by the number of AP courses you mentioned), then the study abroad-IB program would be a good way to show colleges that you're capable of doing advanced work, and in a foreign country, which takes a lot of maturity as well as brains. Colleges like that. A lot.

I guess the credits from the IB program must not be transferable to your high school transcript, if you'll have to take an extra year of high school. That's a pity. But once you exhaust your school's supply of higher-level courses, then maybe you can do independent study or take classes at a community college? Is that available/allowed where you are?

akvareli · 05-13-2007, 08:55 PM

I'd have to be sixteen to attend a community college classes. I'll turn 16 in the beginning of my senior year. Then I can start attending classes.
I should talk more about it to my parents, and then talk to my school about it.
This has been a very recent development.

Anniushka · 05-13-2007, 09:02 PM

You'll be 16 at the beginning of your senior year if you don't do the year abroad, right?

But yes, by all means talk it over with your parents and counselor. It's a big decision.

akvareli · 05-13-2007, 09:05 PM

Yep.
haha..well I'll definitely talk it over with my parents and counselor.
oh, btw, this is of no relation to the topic, but your username sounds Russian. Just saying. haha

Anniushka · 05-13-2007, 09:07 PM

Bingo! It is Russian. My mom was reading Anna Karenina when she was pregnant with me, and Anniushka (or Annushka) is the name of one of the characters, so it became my nickname.

akvareli · 05-13-2007, 09:08 PM

Aww.
I just did a oral presentation on Tolstoy.
I'm from Russia by the way; moved here 5 years ago.
That's how I guessed that your username was Russian or something similar. haha

Armando · 05-13-2007, 09:23 PM

I wouldn't do it. But that's because I just couldn't stand being a year behind what I could have been.

Since you're so young, you can always do a study abroad program AFTER high school to learn the language and culture you are being immersed in, for fun.

jespere · 05-13-2007, 10:40 PM

Prep school? I mean at least you'll be in the states and on track to graduate. I agree with Armando, I would *hate* to be a year behind.

TheVeganActress · 05-14-2007, 12:55 AM

but it's not really a year behind if you're a couple years ahead anyway. if you would be 16 at the beginning of your senior year you won't exactly be far behind by doing an extra year.
I would definitely do it.