High School study abroad

vandydance · November 8, 2004, 5:01pm

I really want to go on a study abroad program next year (my junior in hs year), but my mom is particularly resistent to the idea. I have tried to talk to her about it several times, but she isn't very open to discussion. I have wanted to go on this foreign exhange program for the past year, however, and kind of have my hopes set on it. Financially, I'm pretty sure that we could make it work, what with scholarships that the program offer and that the program is relatively cheap compared to other programs that I have looked at.

If any of you have children or know people that have participated in study abroad programs, could you please email me at <a href="mailto:vandydance42@yahoo.com">vandydance42@yahoo.com</a> or post here? I think that my mom may be more open to discussion if she hears the vies of other parents who have been involved with these programs. Thanks!

jenskate1 · November 8, 2004, 5:13pm

I'm not a parent, but my older sister went on a rotary international exchange to Englandfor her junior year in high school. She loved it, and I think this made her a more interesting applicant. It can create difficulty in your high school program; my brother is going through the interview process now and recognizes that it will likely take him an extra year to graduate. How do you /your mom feel about this? Also, does the program require your parents to take in an exchange student in your absence? That could be a determining factor for your mom. Perhaps it would be helpful for you to elaborate on your question by explaining why your mother is resistant to the idea.

vandydance · November 8, 2004, 5:28pm

<ol>
<li>I don't believe that it will take me an extra year to graduate if I participate in the program--I do have a number that I can call to talk into one of the higher powers of my school system about that, and my mom has agreed to call him, but lately when I have urged her to call him, she tends to make excuses. I tried to call him myself a while ago, but his secretary said to call back with my parents. </li>
<li>No, the program does not require them to take in a student. </li>
<li>I think that much of why she is resistant is because she doesn't want me to leave her just yet. Also, the country that I want to go to is China, so she is concerned about health concerns and political concerns.</li>
</ol>

cheers · November 8, 2004, 5:57pm

This past summer, my S went to Beijing for a Mandarin program with CET. He did it as a high school senior--technically. Immersive Mandarin is the way to go--if that's your interest.

S got a year's worth of college credit for eight weeks of summer program. He's going back to Beijing next summer. You must get heaps of innoculations and be mindful of the basic food and water issues--but other than that, the health concerns are minimal. Beijing is in the midst of getting ready for the Olympics. It is a fully modern city.

Have you ever overcome objections from your mother before? Historically, what is the most successful method? Other adult support? Storming past? Facts and data?

Parent objections are complicated matters that may or may not be related to the actual endeavor. More likely, objections are related to issues of control and loss (of your childhood and their youth). So you have to get past objections. You can try to do it without burning bridges.

I never managed to go over a parental 'wall' without a bit of singeing. Time heals that.

vandydance · November 9, 2004, 7:35pm

My mom says that she will let me go on a summer program, but I would rather go on the year because I hope to learn as much of the language as I can, and also because the summer programs that I have looked at hove been only slightly less expensive than the year program, and do not offer financial aid. I know that it would be very hard for my family to come up with the money for the summer program, whereas the year program (at least in the cheaper programs) is comparably priced to a year at home.

kissy · November 9, 2004, 10:21pm

Vandydance- I have a little knowledge of study-abroad programs and would urge you to investigate the programs carefully. Contact past participants, if you can, to help with your research. Perhaps, if you're armed with information and positive testimonials, your parents may be more amenable to hearing you out. Rotary International is known to have a top-notch program which is FREE. Check it out!

kingb123 · November 9, 2004, 11:07pm

I was in Spain studying all Junior year. <a href="http://www.sya.org%5B/url%5D">www.sya.org</a>

calmom · November 12, 2004, 4:29am

Vandydance, my daughter is age 16, a high school junior, and she is on a foreign exchange in Russia for the semester. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

I do think that the exchange may have some impact on her high school program; we discussed this before she left, but she felt that the benefits of the exchange and the opportunity to gain language fluency outweighed the impact on her high school program. She will be able to graduate on time, but she is unable to take courses like 11th grade AP English or AP US History because of her choice, and probably will lose a full year of math - plus she will have a full schedule of tough classes in 12th grade to complete.

If your mom is simply upset at the prospect of your being so far away for so long, modern technology has changed everything. I got my daughter an international cell phone before she left -- we have GSM service so her regular cell phone number works there. It is too expensive for voice calls (though useful in an emergency) - but text messaging doesn't cost extra, and my daughter figured out how to forward AOL Instant Messaging to her cell phone, so we have very frequent and regular communication. My daughter also goes to an internet cafe once a week for email. Also, it is very inexpensive for me to call her at her house, using an international phone card (around 4 cents a minute).