<p>I'm a senior in high school heading off to college in the fall. I'm an American studying Chinese for the past four years. I have an opportunity to attend a highly rated language immersion program. I'm trying to make a decision about attending this program to begin speaking and thinking in Chinese. My vocabulary is vast but I have yet to practice speaking it. More than half of the cost will be part of a gift. Given that this is the summer after I graduate high school and want to spend time with my family and friends, should I pass up this opportunity and wait to continue my studies in college?</p>