International Affairs (my summer plans... help please?)

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I'm trying to make plans for the summer, but I have a problem. I know I have to work to make money for college, but since my family is from Sweden and is moving there this year, I don't know if I should work there or here in DC. I've tried to outline the pros and cons of each option, but I'd really appreciate a second opinion.</p>

<p>Sweden: I'd be working in one of three places: a small town (pop. 3000), a slightly larger town (pop. 60,000), or Stockholm. I have a greater chance of finding employment in Stockholm, considering it's a larger city, but it's only an option if my parents find and buy a house before the beginning of June, which is unlikely.</p>

<ul>
<li>I'd spend the summer before college with my family</li>
<li>I'd get a chance to see my extended family (the five who aren't dead or estranged), including my adorable six-year-old twin cousins</li>
<li>The weather is nicer (dry, sunny, 70-85 degrees)</li>
<li>I'd be on the coast instead of in a city</li>
<li><p>The minimum wage might be higher</p></li>
<li><p>I'd spend the summer before college with my family</p></li>
<li><p>I haven't lived in Sweden for six years; I'd have to choose a place to work without knowing anything about it</p></li>
<li><p>It's difficult to apply for jobs from overseas--I don't have much of a resume (I've been employed as a babysitter, chemistry tutor, and riding instructor at my stables' summer camp), can't make it to interviews, and would be unfamiliar with the places where I'd be applying</p></li>
<li><p>I'd have to email my prospective employers in Swedish; my grammar is good, but since I don't usually write in Swedish, it feels awkward</p></li>
<li><p>This sounds odd, but since I'm more comfortable in English, my Swedish personality is different than my "American" one; I'm shy, awkward, and stumble on words--not so good for interacting with customers or impressing employers</p></li>
<li><p>I have to look for jobs in three potential locations and won't know where I can actually work until much later</p></li>
<li><p>I might not find work at all, which leaves me in a bad place for college</p></li>
<li><p>Since I won't be 18 until November, I'm not legally allowed to work more than 35 hours per week; last summer I was working at camp for 40 hours/week and volunteering at a hospital for 15 hours/week on top of that, so 35 hours seems ridiculously little and would prevent me from making as much money as I'd like</p></li>
</ul>

<p>DC: Housing is not an issue; my dad is guaranteed a place to live until late August, which might mean continuing to rent our house or renting an apartment in a location closer to the metro. I'm very responsible and already do most of my own cooking since I'm vegan, so living alone isn't a problem.</p>

<ul>
<li>It would be much easier to find a job</li>
<li>I'd only have to look for work in one city (!)</li>
<li>I could actually go to interviews and choose (based on what I know of local stores and other establishments) where I'd most like to work</li>
<li>I'm more comfortable talking and writing in English; I'd be a more desirable employee, better at my job, and generally happier</li>
<li>I'd be allowed to work for more than 35 hours per week and might end up making more money even if the hourly wage is slightly lower</li>
<li>I'd be living on my own</li>
<li>I know the city and can get around easily using public transportation</li>
<li><p>I'd be able to spend time with my high school friends the summer before college</p></li>
<li><p>I wouldn't be able to go to Sweden</p></li>
<li><p>I wouldn't see my extended family for another year, unless I go over winter break</p></li>
<li><p>DC in the summer is horrendous (90+ degrees, 90+% humidity, thunderstorms, torrential rain...)</p></li>
<li><p>I might get lonely if my friends are traveling or otherwise preoccupied</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I'm really at a loss. :( I figured I'd post here since you usually give such good advice. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>One way to look at things is: what is the worst-case scenario?</p>

<p>In DC you are on your own, you can make of it pretty much what you want. You have independence, scope, responsibility. You have a very good chance of accomplishing what you really need to do to be ready for, and to afford, college. The downside looks manageable.</p>

<p>In Sweden you are reliant on the actions and decisions of other people. Most obviously, you don't know where you will be living. As you said, this complicates your job search! As does the fact that you would be conducting a 3000 mile job search. There appear to be a lot of unknowns, and the possible downside--not getting a job--leaves you "in a bad place". </p>

<p>Is there any way to get help in your Sweden job search? Someone there who can help you apply for jobs? Maybe a person connected to the diplomatic service? Is there a regular or informal service that can help returning diplomats and their families resettle in Sweden?</p>

<p>Of course, one factor, such as being with your family for the summer, may trump everything else. Obviously, only you can decide that. But, if one were to look solely or primarily at the "practical" aspects of the situation, there may be something to be said for staying in DC.</p>

3

<p>You're right; it makes logical sense to stay in DC, considering that I'd not only find a job more easily, but probably make more money as well. On the other hand, I've spent every summer in Sweden since I was born, and these are the last few months before I move out; we have our disagreements, but I still (more or less) love my family, and I know I'd feel like a traitor if I spent my last summer before college away from them.</p>

<p>I'm basically in a situation where I have to choose between family/tradition and money/independence, and even if it's only for three months, it isn't an easy decision to make.</p>

4

<p>Would your parents be willing/able to fund the difference between what you might earn in Sweden (so you can spend time with them), if you can find a job, vs. what you would make in DC?</p>

<p>Have you talked to them about your proposed plans? How do they feel about leaving you here in the States by yourself? Are there any legal issues (work visa, medical coverage, etc.) since they will no longer be here?</p>

5

<p>I have a valid G-4 visa and a Social Security number; I'm pretty sure my parents' employer provides medical coverage. My work authorization just expired, but my parents think we can get it renewed before the summer. I've mentioned the plans to them, and they seem open to both ideas, but of course they'd prefer to be able to spend time with me. My parents don't expect to contribute anything to my education -- not even the part of tuition that financial aid won't cover -- so making as much money as possible is instrumental.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I'm almost afraid of working too hard since I know it'll raise our EFC for next year, even though our financial situation will be much worse since we're moving... while we lived abroad my parents' employer paid our rent, but now we have to buy a house (we've never owned a house besides our summer house, which has belonged to my dad's family since they built it in the late 1800s and needs serious renovations that we can't afford at all) and will have no disposable income since we'll be paying off the mortgage. I really can't win, can I? :(</p>

6

<p>Camelia:</p>

<p>Lots of students work away from home during summer (or attend camp). Still, a lot of them manage to spend a couple of weeks with their families before or after the summer job or camp ends. Would that be a possibility for you? If you went to Sweden and worked, how much time would you have to spend with your family, especially if your parents are in the throes of buying a house and moving?</p>

7

<p>That's a good point; I've always spent summers with my family, and it didn't really occur to me that other people don't. I guess I'm reluctant to spend time not working since money is such an issue, but visiting for a week or two at the end of the summer is definitely an option. </p>

<p>To be completely honest, I would personally rather stay in DC, but my mom is pressuring me to apply for jobs in Sweden, while my dad seems to think it's my decision... but my mom is very pessimistic in general; she talks about "if" I go to college and not "when" as if she doesn't think I'll get in anywhere, or that if I do, we won't be able to pay for it (she expects no less than a free ride, which is completely unrealistic given our income level). Staying in the US for college has been something I've wanted for years, and I'm prepared to work extremely hard for it, in addition to taking out loans... I'm pretty sure I've thought about this more than she has (that's thinking about realistic ways to make it happen, instead of complaining about how difficult it'll be), but she still seems to have no faith in me. She says she wants me to look for work in Sweden because "you don't know if you're even going to college yet." :(</p>