<p>My S has been wondering for the what to do in summer for months. We motivated him strongly to do some volunteer work in other countries to widen his scope. Now he just finished Year 1 in college and came up with the following plans:</p>
<p>a, go to rural area in China to teach English for 1 months in June
b, travel in China for 3 weeks which will last till mid July</p>
<p>Basically we agree to his plan and urge him to prepare well in advance.
What are the suggestions for him to make his trip more fruitful…</p>
<p>Then in mid July he wants to go to Japan to study basic Japanese for 2 weeks and stay there for 2 more weeks??? He does not have any Japanese knowledge, and we feel if it is worthwhile in view of Japan’s very high cost of living. </p>
<li>I think he has no objection if we give him a better alternatives like traveling to other Asian countries. But I try to figure out for a week and has not any idea yet, so your insights and suggestions are very welcome.</li>
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<p>^ LOL Barrons. Personally, I believe that a real job teaches kids more stuff than all the fancy-pants trips here and there. Not to mention they then learn to budget the money they actually earned.</p>
<p>(i'm on my dad's sn shhhh...i'm a graduating HS senior)</p>
<p>I actually have the same plan for the summer, at least part a and b. Instead of travelling, I'm interested in learning about the public health system (or lack thereof) in china. I'm not sure how much I could do as a high school grad.</p>
<p>I worked last summer and all through the school year, and though it is a practical experience, when added to all the school work we do, it really sets us up for burn-out. Sorry to be blunt. I feel that I need to see some other part of the world, learn about other people, and yes, wander a little, in order to get some inspiration for what I can use my knowledge to do after 4 years. That's not to say that working for, say, half of the summer is not doable. </p>
<p>If your son is still going with the plan, could you send some contact info to bounce ideas?</p>
<p>For those who are interested in science related fields, you may want to consider Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funded by the National Science Foundation. You get paid to get research training which also provides a head start for graduate school or future employment.</p>
<p>does anyone have any ideas of its still possible to get an REU this late in the year? specifically in mathematics? The ones I've looked at all have deadlines in March or earlier. Is it worth it for my DS to email and ask? Is it a possiblity for a freshman? thanks.</p>
<p>I vote with the "get a job" group.<br>
After one year of college, kids should have a pretty good idea of what their expenses are (outside of tuition and dorm) and should earn as much as they can to pay their own way.<br>
There is plenty of time to "see the world."</p>
<p>OP, my brother is now in china teaching english. he got his stint while backpacking across china. it seems like he is learning a lot of life lessons. i vote go to china. the japanese thing is just frivilous, skip it.</p>