Is this worth it?

[faninor]

Last week I was given the opportunity to apply for a free summer exchange program to Saudi Arabia. I think this is an exciting opportunity to learn about another culture and get a different perspective on some of the things that are going on in the world these days. I've talked to six people about it. One of them has gone on the same exchange program in the past and she thinks it would be really good for me to apply for it. Two teachers from my school, my grandfather, and the pastor at my grandfather's church also think it's a great opportunity. My mother is the other person I've talked to, and she isn't very supporting. She says if I apply and go, she won't help pay for college. And according to her anyone who thinks I should go is stupid. Is this a good opportunity, or does anyone think it would be dangerous over there at this time? Is it worth it worth causing problems with my mom? I haven't decided yet. I'd like to hear what some of you guys think about it.

[areusad831]

i think that if it is something you want to do go for it. I would be afraid to go overseas at a time like this but it is all up to you. Don't base your choice on others opinions. Maybe you should try to show your mom the positive side of going on an exchange program.

[faninor]

Ultimately it will be my decision, whichever way I go. There's probably a lot that I haven't considered yet, though, so anything said in here might stimulate my brain and give me things to think about.

[call me andrew]

saudi arabia... there's nothing to see there. i've been there. trust me. if you want something cool and you want to learn about arabic culture, go to morocco. its got just as much culture as saudi arabia, but its much more beautiful and farther away from iraq.

[sandsleeper]

i don't know what there is to see in saudi arabia but educationally and culturally any experience living or studying abroad is incredible. the ultimatum your mom is giving you seems pretty harsh, she's probably just worried about your well-being. i'd say if you can find a way of paying for school for yourself and if your mom will get over the personal injury of you going against her will, then go for it. but if your mom is going to hold this against you for a long time then it's not worth it.

[starseed_10]

if you apply you might change your mind and decide not to go, or you might chose to go for it, but first see if you're even accepted, that way you have some time to think about it and arent cutting yourself out of a the chance by not even applying. Plus things with iraq might change by the summer

[liam]

gah!

[nelison]

^ ignore that, thats pure ignorance at its best. I can't believe you Liam, that just prooves your immaturity... jeeze...

anyways

I say you ask your mom why she doesnt want you to go, find out her reasons and talk to her about them and try and iron it out. I'm sure there's a real reason and maybe its just the pressing situation in that part of our world.

I say go for it though, it'll change you and the way you look at our world, I don't see how it can be a negative experience if you go there open minded and willing to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity.

[liam]

they all hate us... plus my tfeacher knows some dude who was captured over there and he was stuck in a hole with this whole filled cover and they relieved themselves on him... now that sucks, it may just be a steriotype and it may prove i'm immature, but when i'm on this board i have the right to be immature

[starvingeyes]

liam, buddy. i like you. but seriously

those were some dumb assed remarks you just made. dumb assed. pull it together, man.

[Endymion]

and we have the right to think your immature comments make you an idiot, so whatever.

[Neil]

Saudi Arabia eh.....

Talk about your....

big lizards..

[liam]

i'm bored. i'm hypere. when those two things mix shit comes out... but that part about the guy getting captured is true

[nelison]

no one has the right to make racist comments. Even if it is your opinion it's not right by no means. Everyon has freedom of speech but not freedom to harass.
I think you should stay out of topics that are meant to be serious. You can't handle them.

[liam]

now thats just ignorance i edited outr what i said. Opinion is opinion and i have Freedom of Expression, its true, i read about it in history

[faninor]

pragmatist: perhaps there are more interesting places to go, but it's not as if I have a choice to apply to go to any country. Usually exchange programs cost thousands of dollars and I can't afford them. And there are still things to see in Saudi Arabia, like . . . the most expensive golf course in the world.

J-Neli: thanks for your advice. I talked to my mom about it some more tonight, and I think we've found where the real problem was, and I think now she's becoming more open to the idea.

[nelison]

good thing to hear.

based on my own experience I would advise you not to pass this up. I had the chance to live in France for 3 months a few years ago but passed it up so I could play hockey instead... ya so now 4 years later I'm dying to go to France and I no longer play hockey.

[happening fish]

is it worth it? let me work it! put my thang down flip it and reverse it!

[faninor]

is it worth it? let me work it! put my thang down flip it and reverse it!

[happening fish]

i'm sorry......... *runs off*