<p>Hi everyone. I was a fairly frequent poster about three years ago, when I was a rising high school senior and applying to colleges. I'm now a rising junior at my first-choice school and loving every moment of it.</p>
<p>For a variety of reasons, my parents and I decided that I would graduate in seven semesters (which is possible due to AP credits, etc). However, I want very much to graduate with my class and be on campus for all of senior year, so I'm going to take off what would be the second semester of my junior year (spring of 2008).</p>
<p>Originally, I had planned to study abroad through the university that semester, and would still like to travel abroad during that timeframe. Obviously, though, I now have a lot more flexibility and options in terms of activities and time. I'm looking to spend probably three months abroad, primarily in Europe (although I'm not set on that) before coming back to the United States for an internship over the summer and then my senior year at school.</p>
<p>(Just as some basic background: I have a strong foreign language background, having studied both French and Latin for quite some time, and spent three months studying abroad in France during high school. I've done a lot of travel on my own, both within the United States and abroad. Additionally, I'm a bio major, but very interested in history as well.)</p>
<p>I guess what I'm looking for is any thoughts you might have regarding places to go, suggestions/tips, or other resources you or your children have found helpful.</p>
<p>Traveler - I think your decision to be on campus senior year and graduate with your class is a good one. [Full disclosure: It's the same recommendation I gave to my D who is in your exact circumstances. She elected to do go with one of her university's semester abroad programs and use her extra time to complete a double major -- but that's neither here nor there.]</p>
<p>In your situation it's hard to imagine not finding many worthwhile choices. (I hear Paris in the Spring is nice!) How about this? Hypothetically speaking, if you were going to relocate overseas upon graduation, where would that be?</p>
<p>travel08 -- my suggestion would be to take a crash course in Spanish and head south, way south. Europe is incredibly expensive these days (euro at a near-historic high compared to the dollar) and you've already been there, done that. </p>
<p>Latin America, on the other hand, is relatively inexpensive and quite fascinating. (For an additional European fix, hang out in Buenos Aires for a while) and mastering Spanish will probably prove very useful in the future. </p>
<p>Another option would be Asia - if you avoid Hong Kong, Japan or Singapore it's also less expensive, more exotic and in many areas, English is widely spoken.</p>
<p>You've essentially awarded yourself the equivalent of a Rome Prize. </p>
<p>If I were you, I would pick 2 cities and live in each of them for 8 weeks. Paris and Rome would be good choices. Travel from there to see local sites in depth. Find a long stay hostel or an apartment share and you'll be away.</p>
<p>But I wouldn't come back to the US for the internship. I'd stay in Europe and try to parlay my language skills into an internship over there. French is the language of the ICC--try getting an intern ship in Geneva?</p>