Studied abroad in Quebec City in 2006. One of the best times of my life thus far!

My best friend did his in Italy in 2007 and he feels the same way.

Of course, it did help that we understood the language...Then again, there were students who didn't and they had the time of their lives as well.

I say let him do it. It's an awesome experience. You learn a lot about yourself when you're on your own in a new country.

My daughter is currently in Argentina having a phenomenal experience. She's been saving since she was 17 for this trip and is junior in college. She'll do a semester there and then travel until school starts in the fall. I was a wreck a few months ago as she has put this whole thing together herself. She moved over there alone into a rooming house she found on Craigslist but now has an apt. with a few friends. It is working out great so far. Her independence and sense of accomplishment is at an all time high. She's made friends from all over the world in just a month. She'll take all of her classes in spanish and should come home fluent.

A recent email from her:

Hey Dad,

Just wanted to check in. Im heading back to Buenos Aires from Calafate tomorrow but won{t be home until midnight, so hopefully we can skype Saturday before the Shakira concert. This trip has been absolutely incredible! Monday we went to the Perito Moreno glacier on a mini-trek and hiked on it for a few hours followed by whiskey with glacier ice in it. Tuesday and Wednesday I hiked a total of 24 miles! We went to a bunch of different viewpoints for a couple of other glaciers, definitely the most beautiful scenery Ive ever seen. Today we went on a horseback ride and saw a herd of wild horses! I can{t wait to tell you the rest when I get back and send you some pictures. Give everyone my love and I hope all is well : )

Cait

Her blog: Buenos Aires!

Our daughter graduated when she was 17 and we let her (with her best friend) go to Hawaii for seven months. They did the WOOF program (work on organic farms). They traveled from farm to farm in the rural areas outside of Kona. They had cell phones with them, but they only worked when they went to town which was about once per week.

When they got back, they stayed here for a month and then went to Denali, Alaska for work for five months. They have meet people fom all over the world and all walks of life. I could not have paid for so rich an education.

Yes, there are risks. No question about that. But if your child is a good deciscion maker, they will make good decisions wherever they go. If they aren't, well... I think we all know the problems that leads to. Let him go or not? If he's a good kid, help him pick a good neighborhood, get contact information and let him go.

angela

My boy is starting college next year and will go, nothing beats experience for a real education.

+1,

I don't think you'll be sorry. Up tight, nervous and maybe scared, (I was) sure, but you won't be sorry. :)

Karl
88 Targa

I grew up "abroad" and can tell you that 95% of the US students that showed up were underage (in the US) binge drinkers that didn't get much else out of it. Everyone speaks English just fine, so they never learned the language and also generally liked to keep to themselves. Academically it appeared there wasn't anything to be accomplished in those 6 month stints. Nothing anyone tested for or got credits for anyway. There were practically none of these guys in the science programs.

I would encourage getting a bachelors degree in the US and then send them abroad to do a masters program at a very good university - they will be older and they will have to achieve something. People I met that were there to get a degree (not on an exchange program) did very well, many of them staying for their first job or graduate school.

George