<p>I need tons of help deciding what to do this summer. </p>
<p>This summer, I got an internship that pays over $1700 at a University. The internship is for 7 weeks, and the University pays for room, board, and occasional field trips. The University also pays for certain recreational activities. But there is one problem--the internship is out in WYOMING. Even though I like being adventurous, I don't know if I'm adventourous enough for Wyoming. My mom doesn't want me to go, and everyone else in my family stands behind her. My mom thinks that there are a lot of rednecks and hicks out there in rural predominately white areas, and she doesn't feel that it's safe for me, an urbanized Black person, to go. (I tend to disagree with her)</p>
<p>However, this is what makes the matter so bad and difficult---if I don't go to this internship, then I will have nothing else to do for this summer. If I don't go, then the only thing that I will do for the summer is to stay at home. I hate staying at home and doing nothing--I feel like my brain is wasting away when I do stay at home. I've tried looking for summer jobs, but all the good jobs have been taken by now. (The only jobs left are the ones with weird hours and scanty pay). I've tried calling local universities, such as Washington University, and asking to assist in a lab. However, these lab opportunities are scarce, and practically none are still left by now.</p>
<p>I really would love to go to this internship, but I don't know if I'm ready for Wyoming. I'm a little scared of what lies out there in the country. (I've lived in big cities pretty much all my life)</p>
<p>ALL COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.</p>
<p>(If you live in Wyoming, no offense)</p>
<p>One more thing--I have less than 24 hours to make this decision.</p>
<p>Go! What do you have to lose except 7 weeks of your life? What do you have to gain? Adventure, information, excellent experience, money.</p>
<p>If for some reason, you don't like it, you don't ever have to go there again. However, you really should not give up a potentially very valuable experience based on stereotypes about a state. And do you honestly feel that everyone in Wyoming is a redneck who's presumably out to get you? That's just as wrong as when people assume that every black person is a thug who hates white people.</p>
<p>Frankly, I'd love to have the opportunity you have. Wyoming is a gorgeous state. If my S had that opportunity, I'd glady send him.</p>
<p>Please PM me and let me know where you found this great internship, and whether it might be appropriate for S next year. :)</p>
<p>P.S. You coped with Madison, Wisconsin last year, why not go for Wyoming this year? You're getting lots of great opportunities around the country, and these experiences will help you a great deal when you're in college and looking for internships and when you're on the job market after college. Having experience in lots of regions = sophistication, and that's very valued by employers.</p>
<p>I agree, go for it, you don't have anything to lose. Getting 1700 bucks and a chance to research and stay at an university is an awesome deal.</p>
<p>Is this NASA Sharp? Otherwise could you PM it to me as well? :). Thanks.</p>
<p>GO!</p>
<p>GO!</p>
<p>GO!</p>
<p>Wyoming isn't the redneck state, that's Montana. I know people from Wyoming, they're conservative and some may be slightly racist but I live in South Carolina and I can tell you for a fact Wyoming isn't half as bad as South Carolina is where that's concerned.</p>
<p>If this is NASA SHARP then you better freakin go! If not, still go.</p>
<p>You surprised me. It appears as if the only thing holding you back is fear of being homesick.</p>
<p>Well, then, my friend, I have only one thing to say to you.</p>
<p>GO.</p>
<p>I am a black person who has spent time in Wyoming and I absolutely loved it! Of coure there are racist people (I didn't meet any, but theya re everywhere obviously). You can't hide out from that, not forever. It's always a good idea to get out of your comfort zone in order to better yourself, and here you have an amazing opportunity. Wyoming is a beautiful state with kind, laid back people, amazing wildlife and lots to do.
Go!</p>
<p>An internship in nowhere is better than doing nothing at home. I reluctantly applied for a few really great summer interships/study abroad programs that would have been wonderful opportunities; my decision to do so came after a long debate of whether the opportunity was worth leaving all my friends and an exciting summer. The worse thing you could do is to waste your summer. An adventure will still be exciting, even if it's in hicktown.</p>
<p>Hicktown, I love that lol. Here's one way to know you live in hicktown... Instead of referring to your town as West Columbia, you refer to it as 'West Cola'. Not just when writing, but people actually say Cola... Nobody says Columbia either it's just Cola... God's honest truth, I remember when we learned the state capitals and the teacher said the capital of South Carolina was Cola. It was hilarious lol. The best part though is that the part of town I live in has alot of crack dealers... So they call it 'coca cola' because of all the coke.</p>
<p>do it man! Its $1700, itll look great on your app, and i strongly doubt there will be any rednecks giving you trouble.</p>
<p>Tell your mom not to worry and get going. What an awesome opportunity.</p>
<p>I'd do it dude. Wyoming isn't that bad, my family owned a ranch out there for a while but I only went when I was like 3.</p>
<p>Think of it this way, at least you're not in Texas. The weather sucks so badly here.</p>
<p>Go for it. Wyoming is sparsely populated with ... human beings! If you go, you'll meet some of them! You might never get the chance again and it would be a shame to miss out on all that natural beauty and adventure. </p>
<p>I've lived there. It's wonderful if you can learn at your age to listen to other people and get to know them and their differences. You'll learn some important American history and geology just by being there. It might seem a little scary, but people can be incredibly kind and I don't think you'll regret it. You might regret staying home.</p>
<p>Trust me, if you are looking for racist rednecks, stay in Missouri. I think that Wyoming would be a wonderful experience for a St. Louisan. Good Luck!</p>