<p>Hey everyone,
I'm new here to the forums, so before I post my question I'll go ahead and say a little about myself. I am a second year undergrad student. I am currently attending a CSU, and plan on either sticking with it, or transferring to USC. I also intend on going to law school, hopefully NYU Law.
Any who, that's enough about me. I recently decided to travel for a few weeks with a friend of mine. We plan on returning after about two weeks. Neither of us wants to wait until next summer to travel, and well let's be realistic, there just isn't enough time to get a passport, plan a flight, and spend some time away from the states.
I was planning on taking a leave of absence for 1 semester. Does this sound like a wise idea, just to travel for 2 weeks? I was also hoping to take a small break anyways, so the leave might do me some good.
I am not the type of person who would find it difficult to return to school after a leave, in fact I would be very eager to get back. Since I do not attend summer and winter semester, I was planning on taking a few classes during both, to make up for the lost semester.
With all that said, do you guys and gals think it is a wise idea to take the next semester off? </p>
<p>P.s: I'm going to contact my school tomorrow to check whether the leave will affect admission and financial aid for next semester.
I also thought I would use the time to look for a job..again.</p>
<p>I’d just wait til next summer. A semester is 18 weeks. A two week break would leave you 16 weeks to do nothing. Just wait…patience is a virtue young grasshopper</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses everyone. It does seem like a silly idea to take the entire semester off just to travel for a few weeks. But please keep in mind, I would have also used the time to look for a job (doesn’t really matter though, since I can do that while attending as well). I don’t suppose anyone here knows of a quick way to find a job, for students in California? I’ve been looking on and off for a year or two and I can’t seem to find anyone who will hire me for some reason.
Anyhow, back on topic. Batllo, we don’t have an itinerary yet, but know exactly where we want to go. We had a friend from Europe plan out the time we would spend in those few weeks. Christmas break isn’t really an option…our “guide” if you will does not do well in the cold due to a recent surgery.
I’m going to call the school and find out if it will affect me in any way, just out of curiosity, but I’ll probably take the trip next summer.</p>
<p>Why don’t you get a passport anyway?
You’ll be set to go whenever the opportunity to travel internationally arises.
if this is your first passport then you need to apply in person with paperwork and passport photos and correct fees.
Note that different facilities require specific ways of payment, you need to research if it requires cash, checks, or will take credit cards.
If you are paying by check you will need 2 checks, one for the State Dept and the other for the place you are applying for the passport(for execution fees)</p>
<p>That Batllo,
I will actually be renewing my passport, rather than applying for one, for the first time. Anyhow, I contacted the university and found that I probably would not be able to take the semester off without it affecting next years financial aid (my grants at least).
I decided to just renew my passport, as you suggested, and work/attend school for the spring and fall. I’ll just have to travel next summer, or during winter if possible.</p>
<p>No do not take a semester off. Two weeks of traveling, why not wait until winter break? As for jobs, it will probably be easier to find a job on campus than anywhere else. Plus if you were to find a job you will have to leave it eventually for school I am assuming.</p>
<p>Coolbreezze,
Thanks for the suggestion. I would actually not mind working part time and going to school. So leaving isn’t something I would have to worry about.
zballsunsimms,
I believe they actually would not care. I was checking on the admissions and records site and it seems like the only thing required to take a leave is to have never been academically disqualified (I believe it is called a Stop Off semester, or something along those lines).
Unfortunately I just realized I am in the group of people who are registering last at my school. Seems like every classes I planned on taking is now full. I suppose it’s time to make a new list…</p>