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Old 06-20-2006, 06:17 PM   #1
travelchick75
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Hey guys

I have a question. Im a 20 year old female from Canada who just finished her first year of college. I ended up in alberta for school which is about 1400 k's from my hometown in Manitoba. Now i been messing around with the idea of going over seas since i was 10 (when i decided i was moving to northern ireland lol) but something has always come up (no money, family, ect. and so on) but now im seriously considering going the only thing is that im not sure if i should take a year off of school. Im going to be a Chartered Accountant so i still have a lot of school ahead of me and some of my friends are telling me to wait until i graduate blah blah blah but by the time i graduate ill be like 26 and still going for my stupid designations and ill have to start a job right away so now seems like an ideal time. Ive already taken more steps to go this time then i have any other time i thought of going and my mom and grandparents say if i wanna do it then i should do it. But i dont wanna be regretting taking another year off school (i took 2 off after high school) if you guys could give me ne adivice that would be great,

Thanx!!

Ash
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
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Old 06-20-2006, 06:45 PM   #2
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You know, that's always the ultimate questions isn't it? Should I finish this or that and then go, or just go now? You'll have to seriously weigh the pros and cons of it and make a decision that's best for you. But...

I always wanted to go travel when I was first in college, but something was always going on - the issues that everyone has - money, family, committments, etc. But the truth was, I absolutely could have gone if I'd just had the foresight to see that one semester, or a year wasn't going to make a difference in the great scheme of things. Why such a rush to 'get on with the rest of your life?' This is part of life!

My two cents, you're only young once and there will always be some reason why you shouldn't go and one big reason why you should go. Experience is the greatest opportunity we're given in this day and age. It's never too late to do it, and you're certainly never too old to do it, (heck, I'm doing it next year!) but it will be something that is just yours and something a lot of people never get to experience.

Good luck on your decision, hope that helped a little.
:D
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Old 06-20-2006, 06:54 PM   #3
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It Did thanx!! haha i didnt think ne one was gonna reply. I really wanna go ive been yammering on about this for years now, i think i should just say screw it and go!! and i have my mom's approval which is one of the things i was worried about. School will always be there for me when i get back and you cant go backpacking when your 80 (or maybe you can lol but hostels would prolly be a pain in the ass). So now its Europe or Bust for me!!!
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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Old 06-20-2006, 06:55 PM   #4
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Well YOU said it... if this is the time to go... THEN GO!! Perhaps if you dont wanna be away from school you can do it in the summer. Sure, going 2 or 3 months is not the same as going away for an entire year, but it's still a fantastic trip!! I wisth I could be panning a 6 month trip myself... but I guess sometimes we just can't to everything.

Just work your travel around your studying and you'll be fine!!


Oh, and WELLCOME ABOARD!
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Old 06-20-2006, 07:15 PM   #5
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I was thinking more along the lines of a year or so which is why im in sort of a conundrum. Im planning on going with SWAP so i can earn some extra coin for a couple of months and then travel for longer off of that (i have some family im close too in the UK so i can cut some accomodation costs) but i was also toying with the idea of getting my right of abode (my mom was born in northern ireland) wat do you guys think?

Just work your travel around your studying and you'll be fine!!
Oh, and WELLCOME ABOARD!
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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Old 06-20-2006, 07:16 PM   #6
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sorry i forgot to delete that last part
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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Old 06-20-2006, 07:35 PM   #7
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I had a lot of friends from the UK who came to the US to 'study,' but really they skipped most of their classes and just traveled around. It was kind of a 'throw-away' semester - they were encouraged to experience the US instead of making grades, etc. Personally, I'd rather spend my money on other stuff besides a wasted semester/year of college tuition...

But check out any exchange programs with your school, work visa/SWAP program, etc because some programs have age cut-offs. Not that you're in danger of meeting any kind of cut off age right now - but another reason/chance to go when you're younger.
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Old 06-20-2006, 08:15 PM   #8
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Plus Canada has none of the culture and history that europe has, im a really big history buff and im chomping at the bit to get into some of those castles and museums lol you guys are making me wanna go more and more lol I heart this site i know this is kinda off topic but have any of you guys been out of the aran islands.
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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Old 06-21-2006, 08:21 AM   #9
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Hmmm, Manitoba, accounting? Sounds to me like you're going to be attending the same school as me and my sister! I had almost the same situation as you, but I only took a year off before school (and went to mexico for a week. woopdeedoo).

The commerce program is pretty long and a lot of work. My advice is take a year off while you can. You never know what's going to come up later. We just finished our degrees and are going traveling now for 2 months, but if I had taken a year off during school I would have gone for much longer. The reason I didn't was because the money needed for a big trip was a lot more that I kept thinking I would save in a year.

So if you're definitely going to continue with school, go now when you have the time and money. Or take a year off during the program if you're pretty sure that will work out for you. They also have an awesome exchange program there, where your tuition oversees is the same as it would be back home. i only took one of those summer session courses cuz I looooove summer time, but if you wanted to speed things up you could take the time off now, then fast track it through the commerce program.

Hope this helps! Oh, and my long winded advice summed up is: go when you can!!!
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Old 06-21-2006, 08:23 AM   #10
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ooops, I read your post again and it sounds like you're still going to be in Alberta. (I'm at work so I'm trying to keep the site window really small). Well, even if you don't go to the U of M, my advice is still the same!
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Old 06-21-2006, 08:54 AM   #11
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As a collage drop out I say forgo school, ignorance is bliss.

Quote:
i know this is kinda off topic but have any of you guys been out of the aran islands
I'm off there in about two weeks or next fine weekend. I haven't been there since we went there on a school tours years ago, I may write up a report for the boards when I get back. Can't wait to go I hear the pubs never close cause the Garda (cops) can't get to the Islands without the locals spoting them.

Nows the time to go to N.Ireland what with the outbreak of peace an all..
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Old 06-21-2006, 09:27 AM   #12
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How is teh commerce program at U of M anyways i was thinking of applying for 2007 entry but i hear its pretty hard to get into. Yeah thats kinda wat i was thinking too and thats what i told my parents im like by the time im done my degree ill be 24 and still having to work towards my designations and ill be like 30,000 grand in debt where am i gonna find the time to go ya know lol As for northern ireland I loved it when i was a kid and im really looking forward to seeing it again. I hear the Aran islands are sorta like stepping back in time i think thats wat i'd like about it.... i dunno this site is making me wanna go now haha
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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Old 06-21-2006, 11:28 AM   #13
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I know that U of M is getting more recognition lately, and I applied about 5 years ago and my grades were decent, so I wasn't sure about how tough it was to get in. Plus, compared to tons of other schools, it's not that expensive at all!!!! (You'll have to look into the tuition freeze though)

But what you can do, is take courses towards your degree in commerce, and then apply to Asper with only 2 years to go (make sure your GPA is good though!). You don't get first pick for classes that way though. It's a pretty good school, I didn't really know that while I was going there though!

So as long as you know you'll end up going to university, tell your parents that a girl who went to Asper said to go before you graduate! But you have to consider what kind of a person you are though. Are you going to be unmotivated when you go back to school, have a grudge about it, not want to go back at all? If you think you've got the motivation for school then definitely travel before you graduate, then you can always go some more after you get your degree. cuz if you become an accountant you've gotta take your CASBY (is that how you spell it? I didn't take accounting, my sister did) and your CGA stuff AFTER you graduate.

and 24 isn't bad for finishing school either.
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Old 06-21-2006, 11:48 AM   #14
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Yeah i know becoming an accountant takes for freakin ever lol and im going for my CMA and then my CA so i have many many moons of school left geez but i guess its my choice right now i have a 3.69 do you think that would be good enough. I think that if i go know ill be able to concentrate more on school this has been nagging me in the back of my mind for years now and if i do it than i can go back to school and be like ok i seen the world now i can get on with my career ya know.
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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Old 06-21-2006, 12:05 PM   #15
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Yeah, I think you're plan works. then you won't be angry later if something comes up and interferes with your plans, and then you can't go travel like you've always wanted to. I got pretty frustrated myself with that situation last year. and if your gpa is 3.69 I don't think you have to worry at all. good luck!
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Old 06-21-2006, 02:07 PM   #16
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hey there, i say go!

I am also in kinda the same position, I am studying towards becoming a CA in New Zealand. I am studying extramurally and working full time as well. I was going to complete my degree and the work experience (7yrs!) and then go overseas but likewise i would have been like 26 by the time i got to travel and then there would be the pressure to get a job.

Ihave now decided to become an AT(accounting technician, i dont know if u have an equivilant over there, u do 2 yrs study 2 yrs work experience) complete my degree and a further year (graduate diploma in finance) and work this whole time, so by the time i get to travel i will at least have a qualification (AT) enough study to become a financial planner and cross credit alot of it towards becoming a CA if i decide i want to continue to do that once i come back from o'seas. i will be 23 when i leave to go travelling which i dont think is too bad! i then plan to try and get work in either the uk or canada (i dont know how my qualifications will stack up in either country though) for maybe a year? which hopefully will count as work experience back in NZ!

Ayway if their is anyway u can do something similar, gaining a part degree, or finishing the degree but not the work experience? (you can gain that overseas maybe? or when you come back? then u will get to travel and have all ur study done and will only have to do the experience?

Just my two cents, good luck with your decision
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Old 06-21-2006, 03:04 PM   #17
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Wow i comend you looks like you've got your stuff together. Great Job!! Yeah anything we do part time over here has to be done in the evening or during the summer and it takes a couple of extra years to actually finish my degree as opposed to going right through. I dunno How old are you know? Do you still have a couple of years to go? Im the worst decision maker ever thank you guys for all your help and advice too by the way
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
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Old 06-21-2006, 05:42 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally posted by travelchick75@Jun 22 2006, 11:04 AM
Wow i comend you looks like you've got your stuff together.* Great Job!! Yeah anything we do part time over here has to be done in the evening or during the summer and it takes a couple of extra years to actually finish my degree as opposed to going right through. I dunno How old are you know? Do you still have a couple of years to go? Im the worst decision maker ever thank you guys for all your help and advice too by the way
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Thanks, i have to be very hard on myself not to spend my saved money though! I will pay off my loan once all the studying is over, and since its extramural it doesnt cost anywhere near as much as fulltime uni. (no interest on loans so long as we stay in NZ so i earn the interest!)

I am 18 at the moment and am doing my study part time so im not that far through i have my exam for my 7th paper tomorrow! i have 20 papers for a double degree in management & accounting and 30 papers total for my degree and graduate diploma so i am slowly working my way through them! this is my second year studying so i dont think ive done too bad considering i work full time.

its so frustrating not being able to travel though! i have planned my study and if i finish both the degree and graduate diploma i will be overseas july 2010! so far away!! but in the meantime i will try to do some travelling in NZ and start a website for ppl who want to backpack nz. otherwise i will be an AT at the beginning of 2008 and i could go overseas then! so much more appealing but i guess i will only be 20 then so it wouldnt matter too much if i do wait till i finish both degrees! after all i will only be 22!

Now you could do the same and just travel where u live? canada right? do weekend trips etc or in your mid semester breaks (i assume u get them?) do a 1-2 week trip in your state or a neighbouring one?(i also dont know if thats what they call them) which may help settle the travel bug for a bit!

otherwise try finish your degree or at least part finish it, get to a point where u can stop for a while and then come back to it!

wow i blabbed a bit!!!

Let us know how the decision making goes though!!!

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Explore, Dream, Discover." Mark Twain

---------------------------------------------------------------
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Updated April 2010!
--------------------------------------------------
Soon
NZ or OZ
Saving for a year - 18 months for a decent trip

Soonest
Trying my hand at short walks/tramps in NZ
NZ or OZ Travel
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Old 06-21-2006, 05:54 PM   #19
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Travel Canada ahhaahahahahah now dont get me wrong i love Canada its a nice safe place to live but its soooooooo big and so expensive to travel anywhere around here (somebody correct me if im wrong but i find its really expensive to fly outta winnipeg) i would really like to see the east coast though.... But my school breaks (not including summer) are always RIGHT before my big exams so i have to spend the whole week studying which sucks im impressed though i wish i could plan my life like that and only 18 geez im jealous lol I dunno im so confused but if im gonna go im gonna have to decide soon cause i need to register asap for a september departure.
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"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest.
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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