<p>I want to study abroad during senior year with Rotary. I want this experience really badly, but the only thing I am worried about is how it would interfere with what I'm doing in high school. I currently have a few leadership positions, I am going to start a club in 11th grade, and I will be an officer of another. I don't want to just rudely and abruptly leave behind my club positions and leadership positions, I'd feel like I was abandoning my school and community. Additionally, there are many AP classes I want to take during senior year and I wouldn't be able to take them so that I wouldn't be on par with other students applying to colleges with competitive admissions.</p>
<p>I know this is an experience I could never have again though since studying abroad in college doesn't immerse you as much into the culture. I absolutely love learning about new cultures/new languages and am very receptive to it. I am really excited about potentially doing this during senior year and being a teenager living in a different culture. I feel like this could change my life forever; what my outlook on life is like and my maturity/independence.
I am just worried; I hope colleges don't think I am abandoning my school and community and put me at a disadvantage for not having as many APs as other competitive students.</p>
<p>From reading about my situation, do you think I should study abroad during senior year?</p>
<p>Honestly though, I don’t want to graduate later. I just want to go to the foreign country and live there for the school year, and come back home in time for graduation. I don’t want repeat a whole grade because I only will be lacking 2 credits for graduation.</p>
<p>Study abroad is absolutely worth it. Just anyone who has done it. See my column of today’s date for some helpful info on making the decision if/when/where to study: [College</a> Guidance Examiner](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■.com/czqpf2]College”>Examiner is back - Examiner.com)</p>
<p>Do not let this opportunity pass you by! It is not easy to spend 6 months to a year abroad after you graduate and go out into the real world…</p>
<p>If you think it will risk your high school profile (e.g. your college application), you should consider other options. I know you are adverse to doing a study abroad during school but you could a gap year after school, summer abroad during school and definitely after graduation, just live abroad! </p>
<p>Your question is good in that its important and worth pondering. That said, a year abroad with Rotary will probably not only look great, help you stand out, it’ll definitely be something to write about in your essays!</p>
<p>That all depends on what kind of program you go on. You can definitely become immersed in the culture through a college level program if you want to.</p>