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Mr Khan said:

Huh, it looks like this thread finally has the right amount of "new posts" listed, it was in the negatives for a while there

Anyways, i've got a bit of a dilemma. I want to try studying abroad in Japan again, an opportunity i was denied due to the Earthquake, but to do so again would mean i'd have to do it in the Spring of my Senior Year, my graduation semester. Due to my special circumstances (e.g. being screwed over by geology), they'll probably let me do it, but *should* i do it? My mother says no, my dad says whatever, my friend (who also got stuck in that situation along with me) wants to do it.

Pros:
1. I definitely get to go to Japan (compared to alternatives like the Critical Language Scholarship, which i have a lower chance of getting. If i apply through my school, i will get to go, but CLS would allow me to graduate through my college like normal and still go to Japan)
2. I get to be there longer (4 months versus 2 for the critical language scholarship)
3. I would only have to take four classes (for a reason explained in cons)
4. I'd be there with my friend, if he actually goes
5. I would be able to take all the classes i need to graduate
6. Tokyo, versus Kyoto for the CLS, better city.


Cons (especially compared to trying the Critical Language Scholarship)
1. Airplane fee: CLS would fund my plane ticket, going through my school would not
2. Post-graduate job: this one's a little hazy. If i graduated, then went to the CLS, i'd be available to start any job i might get as of August 5th or so, which is the same time i would get out of my college program, so it's really dead even, just that i'd be away from campus longer, and away from potential job prospects
3. I have committed to Departmental Honors, a two-semester special research project, though given that you get January, February, and March off before you go to Japan, i could dedicate that time to finishing the project, and thus only have to take 4 classes, so it twists around to a pro
4. I don't get to "graduate" as in to walk, though i'll obviously get my degree

Pros seem to outnumber the cons, what do you all think?

As angry and depressing as you were when you weren't able to go, I totally think you should go there.  It sounds like it would be a blast, and something that you really want to do.



Money can't buy happiness. Just video games, which make me happy.