What should I choose: Study abroad or complete high school her in the US? ?

Question

While thinking of studying abroad a problem came to me. If i go to Japan for a year I won't be able to finish the classes that follow the classes I have right now(i.e. Algebra 2 - going on to Pre-Cal). I really want to go Japan to study in high school and I'm afraid that going will lower my chances of going to a good college because I won't be able to take my senior classes. So if i go will it not leave me behind in classes? What should I do? Or what can you recommend?

Answer 1

Oh, no.  Going abroad, and taking the courses that are offered there will only ADD to your resume. not take away from it.  It will make your background stronger.  And I don't think there is a college or university in this country where the admissions people do NOT recognize the advantages that you get from studying abroad, and that they FAR outweigh the loss of a few items missed in pre-calc.  Besides, there are two other ways to do this.  You could do the study abroad over the summer, (check, especially, YFU as a program that offers summer options) or you could take the makeup courses over a summer.  You are surely intelligent enough that if you miss a bit due to your travel schedule, you will be able to make it up.  OR you could do the study abroad on a 13th year program (see, also, YFU).  AND there's always the option of simply waiting until you are in University, and taking a year abroad THEN.  OR you could do both, or all three, if you can afford that.  But few people can actually afford to do three programs while still in school.  

Here's a list of the top rated programs in the US.  Check them out.  Talk to your language teachers and guidance counselors.  They will surely tell you the same things.  If you talk to admissions officers from Universities, I think they, too, will back me up on this.  Take advantage of the opportunities that you can.

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