<p>Parent advice…I have discovered many things in my years of experience that I thought I would share with you.</p>
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<li><p>I traveled all the way to Kenya yet I did’nt take that trip to the seaside resort like I wanted to. The reason…it cost an additional few hundred dollars to get there and at the time it seemed like it was out of my budget. I never went back to North Africa again, and to this day I have not been to Mombasa.</p></li>
<li><p>I was 24 years old when I traveled to Egypt. While I was having tea in my hotel in Cairo I met a wonderful couple who had over heard me talking with my friends about our college days. The couple overheard our conversation, and they immediately recognized that they had attended a college a short distance from mine.They invited me to dinner that night and we had a delightful time. The following day they extended an invitation for me to attend their wedding. I did not really know these people but something told me to attend the wedding. I did attend, and it was the most spectacular wedding I have ever been to, to this day. They were the children of very wealthy Egyptians and the wedding was a wonderful experience that allowed me to see the side of Egyptian culture that I never would have seen if it had not been, for that one night. </p></li>
<li><p>I was 25 years old and unemployed for that summer. I could have, and many thought I should have, cancelled my vacation to Hawaii but once again something told me not to. In fact, I extended it. I spent two wonderful months studying yoga at the University and had a great time taking small flights to the neighboring islands. I have been back to Hawaii a couple of times but nothing could compare to the experience of being there for the summer. I made wonderful friends while I was there, and the experience was life changing.</p></li>
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<p>There is a long list of experiences that I could share with you, but, I picked the few that stand out in my heart and mind. You are young and have few or no responsibilties to anyone right now. It is a wonderful time to explore and see as much as you can. You will make friendships where ever you go, if you go with the idea that you want to. I have found that the only times I have ever regretted was when I did not do what I really wanted to do. If your study abroad trip is something that you feel you must do…need to do…excited about doing, than go for it. Enjoy your experiences…they are yours and you will grow from each and every one of them. They will be your memories and believe me you don’t want a life without wonderful memories.</p>