<p>There's a very good chance that I'm going to Finland for the first semester next year as a senior. I have some relatives there, and as someone who's very attached to her Finnish heritage (Finnish was my first language), I feel like this is a great opportunity for me.</p>
<p>There's several things that are holding me back, however (well, one major thing):</p>
<p>1) Naturally, every class is going to be in Finnish. While I can definitely understand a good amount of Finnish and can hold a general conversation, I've almost never written or read Finnish ever because I learned Finnish orally from my mother (my family has never lived in Finland). Because (according to my step-grandmother, with whom I'll be staying with and who's also principle of the middle school that works with the high school I'll be attending) the high school I'll be going to does have exchange students, I doubt I'll actually fail any classes while there. However, I'm still very concerned my GPA will drop and my transcript for that semester won't look good due to the language barrier.</p>
<p>I called NYU, one of the universities I'm looking into, to ask for their opinion about this. The admissions worker basically told me "Well, you should've thought about how studying abroad would affect your grades negatively before choosing to go over there." and said there would be no concessions if there were to be any dip in GPA while studing in Finland. This worried me, and while I haven't had the chance to call the University of Miami or UNC-Chapel Hill yet (my other choices), I'm worried they'll react the same way.</p>
<p>Basically, would it be worth going to Finland, learning about new cultures, greatly improving my Finnish, and standing out on my applications to universities if it meant lower grades?</p>
<p>2) If I do go, I would leave early August. Should I get all my applications done before then to avoid the hassle over doing them overseas? Wouldn't that mean colleges wouldn't see my grades in Finland anyway?</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this, answers would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>What an amazing opportunity! I’m currently doing a semester abroad in Denmark, and I’m really loving Scandinavia. I was hoping to make it to Finland before I leave, but I don’t think it will happen.</p>
<p>This is such a unique opportunity for you- a chance to practice your first language and become literate in it (a quality that should impress many admissions offices), reconnect to family and heritage, and a chance at the kind of personal growth that comes out of intercultural experiences. </p>
<p>I am completely shocked that the NYU admissions officer reacted that way. I’m not sure what you’re looking for in a school, but I have no doubt that smaller LACs would take a more holistic approach to the situation. I know the admissions officers I work with at my school would be thrilled to see such an experience in an applicant. Of course your grades will drop-- you’ll be working in an entirely different language. To larger universities that use GPA as their main factor of admission/rejection, it could make a difference. Other schools choose to leave international transcripts out of a students GPA and look at them in context instead (have a counselor or administrator at your Finnish school write a letter that can be included in your app to give it context). </p>
<p>I don’t think NYU’s reaction should be a reason for you not to go to Finland. If their admissions office isn’t just as enthusiastic about this opportunity for you as you are, then find a college who shares your excitement-- you might find a better fit of institution and more exciting international opportunities for your college years as well. (Not that NYU doesn’t offer stellar overseas programs)</p>
<p>Do as much as you can on your apps, but with so much being online, it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle to get things done in Finland. Best of luck!</p>
<p>There are many colleges and universities that would see high school study abroad as a very positive thing. If you are concerned about the affect on your grades, perhaps you could postpone studying in Finland until after you graduate from high school (ie. get accepted to college, defer admission and take a gap year). I don’t think you have to do that but it is an option.</p>
<p>son went to school as hs senior in HK. He was not allowed to transfer anything. Essentially he completed hs previous to going. Perhaps if your school will accept credits pass/fail it would not effect your grades.Compose this argument and try to get a faculty member or counselor to back you. My son was the first from his small town school to ever attempt an exchange. They thought he was nuts. Believe me when I say it opened many Universities to him. Have parents and others advocate. NYU is strange in there admission processes and it depends on what your intended major. Write back for more info if needed.</p>
<p>I respect NYU for sticking to what is supposed to be the purpose and heart of college: academics, not ‘personal growth’ or ‘cultural enrichment’.</p>