Study abroad

jforbes · Post by **jforbes** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:55 pm

One of my best friends is going to the Marines, most others are several hundred miles from home at other colleges, So I only have three or four good friends in the Fort Wayne Area, really considering a semester or two in London, of France, gonna be expensive. But does anyone know if it is worth it. Any Insight would be a great help,

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:57 pm

I would highly recommend it.

First, do you decently speak a foreign language? If so, pick a country that has that language and jump in with both feet.

If you don't, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Australia, and several European countries would be highly recommended. I personally would recommend the Far East as that's going to be our largest trading partner for the forseeable future.

jforbes · Post by **jforbes** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:12 pm

I speak bad French, considered England, Ireland, Germany, Japan would be cool though, don't know about other countries in the far east.
A former professor of mine made a very good point to me..
If you want to succeed in business, in the future, ahh.. Learn Mandarin Chinese.

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:15 pm

Learn Mandarin Chinese.

Only if you like to b*tch at suppliers in their native language.

China does not have the deepest scientific talent, unlike the United States. Same with Japan, great engineers, crappy inventors. The culture just doesn't allow for mind-blowing innovation.

Personally, any language (Chinese, Indian, Japanese) will only help you. None will automatically make you successful.

If you have never travelled overseas, Ireland and Britain will be good places to start. The cultures are similar, American's are somewhat tolerated over there, and there's no massive language barrier. Hit Dublin or London for the best effect.

jforbes · Post by **jforbes** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:42 pm

Good advice so where would you recommend,

Aero · Post by **Aero** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:56 pm

Don't neglect Central/Eastern Europe, Prague (Czech Republic) is an amazing city.

david sumner · Post by **david sumner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:00 am

Oh, I've been to Prague. Well, I haven't "been to Prague" been to Prague, but I know that thing, that, "Stop shaving your armpits, read the Unbearable Lightness of Being, date a sculptor, now I know how bad American beer is thing..."

boxofrocks · Post by **boxofrocks** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:06 am

My cousin went to school in England about 7 years ago and liked it so much she never came back.

rezin · Post by **rezin** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:17 am

amsterdam...

jforbes · Post by **jforbes** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:19 am

That would be cool except i don't want to smoke pot!

rezin · Post by **rezin** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:30 am

i know its only natural to associate amsterdam with weed, but its such a beautiful city...

never been, seen many pictures, know some people that went for the cannabis cup a few years ago...

and so much culture too...

damn...

i wanna go...

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:30 am

London - safe (as in closest to American culture). Use common sense, or you will get mugged.
Dublin - Techie area, different culture, more laid back
Edinburgh - IT'S IN SCOTLAND, YOU PANSY!
Swansea - Been there, it's beautiful and a nice small town to start out in.

Find a school you are comfortable with. Start there....

And if you have to get a work permit, that may help the decision.

jforbes · Post by **jforbes** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:35 am

Got to work now so probably will over their too

Just don't know if they have a need for welders across the pond though

The Bongwater Mermaids · Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:36 am

I highly recommend working abroad. You will learn more about your country and yourself by "getting out of the bubble" and looking back in. I have traveled extensively through the US, Europe, and Asia. I settled for 3 years in NE Asia (S Korea). The money is good if you find the right gig. But the experiences that you will have are going to be priceless.

"You haven't been born until you get out of town and see where you are from!"

Aero · Post by **Aero** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:52 am

And don't just go to English-speaking countries because they're "safe zones". Be a little more adventurous and you'll learn even more about life