<p>So yeah I'm looking at a summer program that would take me to Southern China involving a two week "field" study that would have me go through China's portion of the Silk Road. An intriguing program that as a bonus would finally take care of the pesky Language requirement I still need amongst some other elective credit. </p>
<p>OR I could spend the summer in Germany at my cousin's house in Heidelberg, from there I could travel all over Europe. The advantage of this is it would only cost me a fraction of the six freaking grand (!!!) I would need for the China program. However I get no credit and I miss out on what looks like a very interesting summer session. </p>
<p>So I ask parents, is study abroad worth the money? Or should I just buy a round trip ticket to Germany for a fraction of the cost?</p>
<p>Can you stay 6-8 weeks in Germany to learn German? I think this is better than 2 weeks in China.</p>
<p>What are your “heart dreams” ? Have you always dreamed of going to China, and feel like this is your only realistic chance? If you did NOT go to China on this particular program trip, do you feel in your gut you would find a way to travel to China another time in the future? If you never made it to China, how would that make you feel?</p>
<p>Do you dream of traveling across Europe? Would your friends and family say that you are comfortable with independent travel?</p>
<p>Where is the money for this travel coming from? Will it be a financial strain to pay for the China trip?</p>
<p>What about vocational future? Does either travel scenario further your vocational goals?</p>
<p>I would count the “official” pros and cons, but I would also consider the Heart Pros and Cons. What feels right? Which trip could you live without? Which trip would you live to regret not taking?</p>
<p>And, finally, is the cousin in Germany there short-term or long-term? Would it be possible to do the Germany trip another summer, or would the China expenses wipe out any chance of future travel?</p>
<p>Good luck with this decision. Either way, sounds like you will have fun!</p>
<p>Germany would be a really good learning experience in terms of self-discovery and self-interest (traveling really fulfills the heart and soul, IMHO, and you learn a lot of things). China’s program would be a good learning experience in terms of academics (which is great – this seems to be a more formal way of learning). The two countries are extremely different and I think you need to look at which place you think would give you a better learning experience. </p>
<p>Also, if the 6k for China would significantly hurt your wallet, then I would go for the cheaper route. 6k for two weeks, where you could probably spend 6k in a longer time period throughout traveling Europe… considering if this is all USD, and not 6k in RMB (because 6k in RMB is cheap!!)</p>
<p>The program is actually about two months long, it just so happens to include a two week field study trip that explores the Silk Road in China which includes everything from room and board at the local university to food. However airfare is not included so another 1200-1500 can be tacked on in addition to the 6 grand.</p>
<p>I can use my cousins house as sort of a homebase from which I can take trips from. Needless to say can’t beat that free room and board.</p>
<p>I’d go the independant travel. I backpacked from London to Berlin this summer. Best experience of my life. Traveled by myself but was rarely ever alone. Staying at Hostels is almost like living at the UN. Meet so many people from diffrent countries it’s really a uniqure encounter.</p>
<p>Go to China and get your ‘pesky language requirement’ done. You can learn a lot from an organized program. Next summer, you can go to Germany.</p>
<p>Neither sounds academically worthwhile. Go to Germany and enjoy your vacation.</p>
<p>What language are you taking or did you take in h.s? Or you could go to Germany take a short course in German travel and take a test upon return to skip the last semester of study. that only works if you’ve taken enough German in high school :)</p>
<p>It sounds like the Germany trip could happen at any other time. I would go to China. What does your $6000 include (credit, lodging, food?)? </p>
<p>Is the $6000 cost for the full two months? If so…I’d go with that trip.</p>
<p>After some mental calculations, I’ll be going to Germany for the summer. $6000+cost of airfare is too much of risk for me right now. I’ll get to China when I have a stable job.</p>
<p>MWhile in Germany take a German course and study up on language and culture basics before yet go. Regardless upon return take a language placement exam. You never know how well you might score.</p>