Summer options?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I am an undergraduate and just thought I would like some opinions on my summer options. So I have 2 options for summer:</p>

<p>1.) Go to Istanbul and work at an international school. Free room and board, and 1700$ compensation. Eight weeks. Dad works at an airline and can get me tickets there for like 200$, so thats not really an issue. One of my best friends from home is also going. I can also work on campus before i depart and earn about 1750$, so my net gain would be about $3250.</p>

<p>2.) Stay at home and do chem research with a professor at a nearby uni. Research project is very interesting and is very relevant for applying to grad school or getting a job after graduating. However, I will not be paid, but will be given a stipend that will ALL go to living and food.</p>

<p>I am pretty poor and money is an issue. I won’t have any money for books or anything in the fall!</p>

<p>Istanbul will be so much fun and being kind of poor I don’t ever get the chance to travel. After I graduate, when will I just have MONTHS free? help me!</p>

<p>Istanbul seems like my number 1 choice but I know my parents will say it is very irresponsible, even though I will be much happier. I am going to be a chemist my whole life (i think), so why not spend one of my last summers doing what I want AND making money??</p>

2

<p>I’m going to guess you are a freshman or sophomore.</p>

<p>Your last sentence is the answer to your question.</p>

<p>Not sure if you need any shots before travelling to that part of the world. And safety is a concern… </p>

<p>Unique experience + money = priceless.</p>

<p>The research will be there…</p>

3

<p>Can you have your cake and eat it too?</p>

<p>Go to Istanbul for summer. Work with prof before you go and/or term time next year? Maybe even for credit?</p>

<p>I’m having trouble seeing what is irresponsible about earning $3250 and working at an international school. Going overseas to surf and sand and barhop - that might qualify as irresponsible :).</p>