<p>Two years. Lectures, lectures and lectures. So here it is: I have desperately been trying to convince my parents to send me abroad for college. Of course, they could not be more against the idea. Because of them I wasted a whole year doing basically nothing- I just cant seem to make them understand how important it is. So I ended up applying without telling them and already have been accepted in 3 colleges. They can afford it and everything but being from Pakistan- men make the rules and apparently chicks don't have a clue. Or so is the culture here: nothing is too ridiculous, trust me. How do you convince hopeless parents whose best argument= "It is against tradition to send a daughter abroad." I'm willing to try anything to get out of here. Help.</p>
<p>get them to talk to a good college counsellor...also to people whove sent their children abroad...ask them to surf this site...the pakistani and indian threads in particular...they can identify with them better....</p>
<p>what colleges have you been accepted to? maybe the thought of you getting a big paying job after graduation might help them change their minds</p>
<p>i told my parents that staying in the US will only narrow my views of life that by going oversears to the UK it will help understand myself better as a person and an individual in a different culture and a setting.. well that BS worked perfectly fine with mine !! Plus it saves them 100,000 for undergraduate since Cornell would have cost 40,000x 4 years instead UK schools cost me 20,000 x 3 years!! </p>
<p>$$$$ is important to parents</p>
<p>You're giving up Cornell?</p>
<p>You just have to push persistantly for it. Tell them that all the time and money that they spent in educating you would be wasted if you did not make the most of your opportunities. The unfortunate thing is that that tradition thing can be very very recalcitrant (I know, I'm African). I think that Pakistan also has a high population denisty, right? Then tell them that if you don't get the best education possible, you would have a hard time at the job market.</p>
<p>I know how demanding applying to US schools can be so, you've come too far to give up. Tell them that you are as determined and strong as any guy out there (you must be to have pull it off yourself. Btw, didn't you take the SATs?).</p>
<p>Of course, this is old fashioned, but you could remind them that it would be easier for you to take care of them when they are in old age if you had a little money in your pocket :)</p>
<p>It depends on what basis your parents are not allowing you to go. since money is not a factor, i dont think the whole "i will make a lot of money" thing would really work. I think your parents are most concerned with the influence a foreign society will have on you becuase I have hard of a lot of pakistani girls get into the drinking/sex (especially in canada). So it would really help if you tell them that they can trust you and that you will uphold your morals and religious beliefs at all times. It might also help if you tell them about how education abroad IS SOO MUCHH better and that theres not enough challange for you there (just make up stuff :)).
Tell them about campus security, the secular community, and ofcourse your willingess to do something outstanding out of your life.</p>
<p>@switch - some pakistani universities accept SATs.</p>
<p>u got cornell???? wow...u really shud go...tell ur parents to surf this site just once...we'll do the debating :)</p>
<p>tan, my best wishes to u! :)</p>
<p>I got into Cornell but its not that exciting since 5 kids from our school is going and I got York and soon I will get Warwick so I will go to Warwick !</p>
<p>although warwick is a great school i do not believe it would open as many doords as cornell would, however warwick is indeed thought of highly in the UK</p>
<p>well king has already said that he wants to experience education in a different culture...so hence warwick...</p>
<p>tan, another approach would be to get some other people to talk to your parents for you. Maybe your principal or guidance counsellor. Make sure that they clearly understand where you are coming from, what your problem is? Since they are grown ups, their recommendations may carry more weight than yours (to your parents at least).</p>
<p>And, if I understand what the "tradition" is, it may help if you could get some adult male supporters. So that it becomes obvious to your parents that these other people are not standing up for you because of pity or anything of the sort.</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>
<p>waleedk87, I was asking how tan managed to pay for the SATs and take them if she kept it covert the whole while.</p>
<p>tan: Take switch's approach. Talk to some elders (who your father trusts) in your familiy. Work very patiently and calmly and try to understand your father's opposition and work. If you know other Pakistani girls ask for their advice.</p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p>she must have told them that she was applying to Pakistani universities that require SaT (like LUMS)</p>
<p>Tell your parents..........you aim to be the next Benazir Bhutto. T</p>
<p>From my limited knowledge of society in pakistan .....
I think you sholud tell your parent that getting education will make your future secure and after all you wont have to put up with a bad crazy husband After all they cant support you all yuor life tell that try to convince them you will retain your cultural values and its for your happiness in future life....Your parents will value your happiness safety above everything trust me on that After you are in us do what you want with your life</p>