<p>My husband and I were happy that our son invited us to come cross-country ski (and downhill ski, in the case of H and S, but not me) in Calfornia with him for his last spring break before he graduated last year. We had gone on cross country ski trips with him in New England since he was 7, but had never skiied “out West”, and it was really nice that he wanted to do this with us instead of going somewhere with his friends for break. But I can not imagine him or my daughter inviting us to spend a year with them on an international adventure. It’s great for your friend and her daughter, if that is what they want to do, but I think a lot of what is to be gained from such travel for college age kids is learning to manage on their own, without a parent to help or suggest.</p>