Defer enrollment for a year and travel to Finland where I will be an exchange student for the year. Everything is free. I get no credit for courses, however.
I can either jumpstart my education or take the year off to live in Finland through Rotary International–a selective organization that not everyone can get into. Everything would be free and I would be at a secondary school in Finland with kids my own age.
Should I go ahead with starting college right away or take this year to go to Finland, an obscure place that speaks Finnish!?
I really do not know which I should take. I really want to go away for the year in Finland, but I also really want to start college with people my own age. I don’t want to have to play catchup either. Please, what would you do in my situation and why? I thank you.
<p>Is there any way you can go to Finland for a brief period, like a summer or something?</p>
<p>This is really a personal choice. But the Finland opportunity sounds awesome, FREE, and you're not being "lazy" you will be in a school. </p>
<p>Look and see if Occidental has a foreign exchange program. Maybe they have one in Finland and you might be able to get some credit? (although that seems unlikely)</p>
<p>Do you have AP credits? Can you go to a community college in the summer and try to rack up as many credits as possible so you won't be so behind?</p>
<p>Oxy does have an exchange program for junior year. I already took two classes at UCSB last summer and another at a junior college in my area. Also, I plan on passing my literature and spanish ap exams this may. I mean, Finland does sound like a great opportunity. But, Finnish is a useless language being that they all speak English there and only 5 mil. speak it globally. The thing is that I never really wanted to go to Finland. The Rotary International just gave it to me. I am not dying to go there. But does anyone know if this experience being alone will educate me in maturity and therefore compensate for a year not in college? Thank you for your alacrity in responding, awake :)</p>
<p>once your in college, life is going to be all hustle bustle. would you rather enjoy a huge vacation now or wait till after your out of college, have a job, and are an old geezer with kids?</p>
<p>In taking a school year to live in a different country and to adapt to a different culture, you'll learn a lot about yourself. When you start college, you'll have more maturity, sophistication and a far better idea of how college can prepare you for the life that you wish to lead.</p>
<p>Starting college a year later won't hurt you. It will be an advantage. It's not as if corporations and grad schools select college graduates based on whether they finish college at ages 21, 22, 23. It's sophistication, skills, etc. that open the door to post college opportunities.</p>
<p>Sirwatson1: how did you like the atmosphere at UCSB? I am planning on going there in the Fall.</p>
<p>Anyways, I thought initially you really wanted to go to Finland. Analyzing the situation, and it's FREE, it seems like a really awesome opportunity. I mean you'll be living for a year in a foreign country. That will obviously educate you and make you a more experienced person. I say go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.</p>
<p>UCSB is very surf orrientated. Very laid back. Everyone has a skateboard to ride around campus. The poly sci department is really hard. The girls are really materialistic. It is a lot of fun if you like a partying crowd. </p>
<p>Every college counselor I have spoken to about Finland has told me not to do it.</p>
<p>Sirwatson1: ya i'm definitely not a party person but i think the campus is beautiful and i love the ocean. i'm sure i'll find some others who aren't that into partying. "the girls are really materialistic" - hah nothing new, just like my (all-girls) private hs :/</p>
<p>i think this is a good opportunity though! (finland)</p>
<p>Yes. the campus is stellar! Be sure to surf sands and devereux. The wildlife preserve there borders the UCSB campus and is a piece of golden real estate.</p>