<p>I've been looking into the Semester at Sea program. It looks like of good mix of travel with studies on the side. </p>
<p>I don't want to be relying on only this program because I only have one summer left to travel. What are similar programs where a students travels for the majority of the trip or the academics are soft? In the next year or so, I'm seeing a great deal of Central and South America. I wouldn't mind seeing Europe or Asia. </p>
<p>Disclaimer: I've read previous threads and many have said it doesn't do a great job at educating the students. That's ok for me. I'm not looking for a pristine education. I like the program because they take you to so many different countries. That's what I want to do - travel and see things! How future employers look at this trip is not my concern. Odds are they wouldn't even know.</p>
<p>Maybe something like this: <a href=“http://www.nols.edu/”>http://www.nols.edu/</a> ? It’s based out of WA so I know a few people who have been in their programs. It’s not cheap (at ALL) but they go all over the globe, offer college credit for some programs, and have a variety of time spans available. </p>
<p>My point is that what is the reasoning that you only have one year left to travel?
In my experience, people travel as much as they want to.
Opportunity doesnt end when you are 22, or 25.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree. Traveling does not end when you graduate, but work does start. I want to take the opportunity while I have the money and the time. That is why I said I have one more year to traveling during college. </p>
<p>If I were to travel independently, I would be traveling alone. A concept I am not quite comfortable with. This is why I am looking for programs that have guided trips. </p>
<p>Feel free to suggest guided programs that allow me to travel. </p>
<p>You didnt say " during college". You just said one more year to travel.
You don’t have to quit traveling when you start work, you can make it part of your career.
What about traveling makes you uncomfortable?
Does your university have study abroad programs/ sister university?</p>
<p>emerald, you asked “Why only one summer left to travel?” And I responded with the correction “One summer left to travel during college.” It’s reply #5. </p>
<p>
I am unsure I will have the options to do so when the time comes. That is why I am taking the opportunity while I have it. </p>
<p>
Traveling alone makes m uncomfortable because I have never traveled alone, let alone traveled very much abroad. Currently, I am interested in traveling trips where I have a few people to a group with me. </p>
<p>
Yes, I have looked into the programs offered by my university. Many require courses to be taken. Many of the courses fill requirements I have already checked off. In the end, it would be a waste of money, credit wise. I am currently set to go on a study abroad trip with them during break, but there are no other trips like this for a longer duration. This is why I’m looking past the ones offered by my school. </p>
<p>EK, that seemed a little snarky. I have two niece-sisters-only a year apart. One happily traveled alone to another country during one college summer, the other has never been beyond her home state and her grandmother’s town 2 hours away. Both are satisfied with their lives. Niquii seems to have a pretty good head on her shoulders and I’m guessing she knows what will work for her and what won’t. And I completely “got” that she meant “while in college”. Most kids in school talk of time in school-year blocks.</p>
<p>“In my experience, people travel as much as they want to.”</p>
<p>That isn’t my experience. My experience is that a lot of people choose careers and family lives that they value, but that force them to sacrifice opportunities to travel. I would like to travel much more than I do. Until retirement, most of us never again have the same freedom to spend months traveling that we have as students.</p>
<p>People generally choose their own priorities.
Although I do know of course a lot of people who profess to have certain values and priorities, but when you look at what they are actually chosing to spend their time (& money) on, that isnt reflected.</p>
<p>Since OP is uncomfortable traveling internationally by themselves, even though they are an adult, perhaps a way to become more comfortable, would be to increase domestic travel.
Not as glamorous of course, ;), but it can be. </p>
<p>I will look into WWOOFing! How did your daughter feel about her experience, @OHMomof2? Where did she go? Did she feel safe? </p>
<p>Yes, emerald, people do choose their priorities. My priority after I leave for college is to get a well-paying job that I can maximize my options financially in the future along with other personal goals. Will traveling be in the picture? I do not know, but what I do know is that now I have the time and money to go and I want to see a good amount of places. </p>
<p>And if you’re going to continue with the side jabs, emerald, please do me a favor and keep them at a minimum. Yes, I am an adult, but there are some thing I am uncomfortable with that did not magically disappear when I turned eighteen. So please, either suggest programs that I might be interested in or provide helpful advice. </p>
<p>“Although I do know of course a lot of people who profess to have certain values and priorities, but when you look at what they are actually chosing to spend their time (& money) on, that isnt reflected.”</p>
<p>You claimed that most people travel as much as they want to. No, most people with children in school don’t travel as much as they want to. Now you’re accusing them of hypocrisy if they say they’d love to travel more and they don’t?</p>
<p>My retiree mom’s been away for months this year in India, Botswana, Singapore, etc. She didn’t do that when she had four kids at home, or when she was practicing medicine earning the money to educate us. But I assure you, her values and priorities have not changed. Life responsibilities changed – her kids grew up and she’d earned enough money.</p>
<p>Niquii, you are correct that you should take advantage of travel opportunities now, as it will become more challenging in the future when you have to make a living and may have a partner and/or kids.</p>
<p>I agree that you should take the opportunity to travel now. Many jobs never offer more than 3 or 4 weeks of vacation a year and that isn’t enough time to do the kind of trip you’re thinking about. I only get to actually travel every few years because priorities compete for those precious 15 days off. Many companies won’t let you take all of your vacation in one lump either so going somewhere that takes a couple days of travel each way is tough. Now that I’ll have time to travel, my health won’t allow it. Do it while you can </p>
<p>^^ That’s why I suggested the working holiday in Australia or New Zealand. There are organizations that help you get your visa, provide a landing place and help you get positions… That way, even though you’re an independent traveler, you’re not alone. </p>
<p>That said, I’ve managed to travel abroad three-four weeks while working in a real job by taking leave without pay. I was single without any obligations ( no kids, mortgage, car payment). I just had to save enough money but because traveling was a goal, I had a savings account for that.</p>
<p>Are there any high schools near you? When my school takes trips abroad, they often get some local college students to tag along. You might have to play counselor at some point, but high school students are pretty self-managed, and you get a discounted rate, too! Plus, you won’t be alone.</p>
</p>