<p>I might want to study abroad for my Jr. year of H.S. or I may just do some summer program. The main one I'm looking at right now is Congress-Bundestag Congress-Bundestag</a> Youth Exchange Program</p>
<p>Apparently, it is pretty prestigious, and I have no clue how I will stand up compared to some of the other applicants;they pay for 250 Americans to study abroad in Germany for free, and you have to apply and top candidates get interviewed and selected from there. And you go to Washington to meet with some politicians, so that is pretty cool too. </p>
<p>Now, this sounds awesome, but I'm going to miss my whole Junior year. At my school, this is when most kids get leadership positions, or set up positions for Sr. year. Not to mention if I will be able to graduate on time and will I to talk classes like Physics and Pre-Calc in Germany, in German?</p>
<p>Just wondering if anyone had any feedback, I'm still havn't even talked with my guidance counselor about this, so this is still in my "dream phase".</p>
<p>I don't know if I'll be able to do this(well I do have to get picked in the first place), or want to miss my junior year. </p>
<p>But I would like to do something overseas. There are programs where you can take a couple college courses at a university in like Ireland, Italy, etc...but it costs like 7k, and I don't know if I can afford that. Or I could do a service/Volunteer trip.</p>
<p>Although my son is a sophomore at ND, I'm no expert concerning what ND looks for in a student. I have, however, talked to numerous admissions counselors from various colleges and they all say that they look for students who display a passion for something. If your grades and test scores meet their criteria and you have the required classes, I can't imagine any school not finding a year abroad in a substantive abroad program very attractive. You would have to find out if you will be able to graduate on time, but even if you can't, don't forgo a once in a life time opportunity because you are aiming for a particular school. Much as I love ND, don't become so set on this one university that you tailor your life to what you think it might want. That's my two cents worth. Best of luck with your future choices.</p>