<p>The topic of college has been coming up a lot lately for me, and I'll have to start applying next year. The thing is, I want to go VERY far away for college, and I'm not sure if my family will be so accepting of it, or if it will even be a good decision in any aspects. I live in Canada, but I want to go to The National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland.</p>
<p>That's right. I picked a whole new continent. I'm crazy.</p>
<p>I've always been interested in drawing, painting, and media-style arts and thought it would be pretty cool to study it. I've also had a long-going dream/fantasy to live in Ireland. The location has nothing to do with getting away from family or anything like that. I really do love my family, but I've never really had a chance to experience things by myself.</p>
<p>My life has always been quite sheltered. Whenever we go shopping, I must stick by both my parents because they fear that I might go missing or get kidnapped if I stray. I'm not allowed to go on this year's school Europe trip to Germany either, with the same concerns of being kidnapped. This is why my concerns are so high of my parents not approving. I really do love them, but I want to get out there too. See what there is by myself.</p>
<p>But, then there's also the other concerns too. Will cost be an issue? What kinds of things will I have to adjust to, not only in a different country, but a different continent? I've researched a bit, but I may be biased against my other options because I love the prospect of going to Ireland so much. Would it be a terrible idea? What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>Cost will definitely be an issue, so I would keep that in mind. International students seem to have a harder time getting scholarships, though you may find some if you look. It will especially hard if your parents don’t want to pay for your college of choice. But, I think going far away from college is a great idea and I think you will love it! I’m a high school senior and I want to move pretty far away for college also, just so I can have a new experience and some independence.</p>
If you even need to ask this question, then it is an issue. </p>
<p>Canada to the U.S. is not a big deal in terms of travel cost, cellphone service, time zone differences, school calendar, etc. But once you cross The Pond or the big ocean, then the costs & logistical headaches escalate substantially.</p>
<p>I know this, because we have the opposite situation: son studying in the U.S. and parents living overseas.</p>
<p>Think about one day drive requirement to be away- this limits your visits home and their visits to you. Canada is a large country- Vancouver and Toronto are they far enough? Once you go off to college, you will feel a world apart if it is not real close to home. Will be interest to hear what others say about Ireland.</p>
<p>Most people do not fullfill lifelong dreams when they are in their late teens/ early twenties- especially when they expect the funds to come from someone else!
The good news is, you can meet your basic criteria, while making thoughtful compromises.
Look at Emily Carr in Vancouver and also inquire about schools study abroad programs.
How much can your family afford to pay for your school from loans, savings & current income? That will give you a better idea of what you have to work with.
Your mention of being kidnapped however makes me wonder if your parents are extra nervous or if there is actually a risk. Do you have a bodyguard?</p>
<p>If the OP family’s can afford a bodyguard, then the OP needn’t ask about cost.</p>
<p>I wonder if the OP’s parents were using security as an excuse for not wanting to pay for the Germany trip. Trips abroad can run into several thousands USD.</p>
<p>Hmm, do you know if they are just paranoid beyond normal reason, or there is someone that really is out to get them/you, to the point that the paranoia is justified?</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter if the paranoia is justified or not . . . why would these parents agree to let the kid go to Ireland???</p>
<p>Unless the kid is independently wealthy, and the enrollment in Ireland doesn’t require any kind of parental authorization, he or she is NOT going!</p>
<p>Independence is a lovely thing . . . but I wouldn’t expect mommy and daddy to pay for it.</p>
<p>Why do they keep thinking that you are going to be kidnapped? Are they extremely wealthy and/or powerful? Or have they been watching too many movies?</p>
<p>Not sure where the stuff about a bodyguard comes from. If you don’t have finances/resources of your own, you NEED to involve your parents in the college search process so that you can jointly work out what paremeters will make sense and work for all of your needs/wants. If security is a serious threat and there really is some reason that you may be kidnapped, that will have be be a consideration in your college selection (though there are many schools which are used to having very famous students safely attending, including several with excellent art departments/schools).</p>
<p>I mentioned the bodyguard, as my D used to attend a school where a couple different families had bodyguards for their kids.
I thought maybe there was a reason the parents were concerned.</p>
<p>Before cost or security, there is this issue: I’ve always been interested in drawing, painting, and media-style arts and thought it would be pretty cool to study it. Did you check the “entry requirements?” Are you a current art student with a portfolio?</p>
<p>Why Ireland, other than “a long-going dream/fantasy?” Could you live there later, after your education, when you presumably have some job skills and are no longer dependent?</p>
<p>Will cost be an issue? Sure sounds like it. If you’ve “researched a bit,” have you looked at costs and had the talk with the parents about what they can afford? Students from outside Ireland or the UK should obtain information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education and Science of their own country (or other appropriate state agency). Students who have not established residence in Ireland are not eligible for grants from Irish grant authorities.</p>
<p>While I understand your feelings of wanting to get away, your dreams are unrealistic unless you have a healthy bank account of your own. Also, unless you plan to stay in Ireland and work, going to college there for that field is really not a smart move. It’s a competitive field and you really should go to college near where you want to work as those schools will have connections for internships, etc. You can still go away to college and not be THAT far away. I would focus on looking at schools in Canada near where you want to work eventually.</p>
<p>From what you say about your parents, they won’t let you go to any college that doesn’t allow you to continue living in their house (for security reasons). Unless you can pay for college without their help, you first should broach the subject of schools with them simply by asking what they are thinking.</p>
<p>You can always go to Ireland for a semester or a year of study abroad. That might be an easier sell to your parents, especially after you’ve proved yourself for a year or two at a Canadian university. Start small, earn their trust, work your way up to big changes. Most parents will ease up after you turn 18.</p>
