Should I go back to school or should I travel?

[lovecouture]

I've been thinking of going back to school. I am about to turn 24 years old, and I am not happy about it. I've been dreading this day since I turned 20.

Anyway, I used to be very, very shy and had terrible self-esteem. It worsened when I was 18-20, and dropped out of college soon after. I basically missed out on a lot of the typical things normal college kids do. I've been working since that time and I've grown a lot. My dream has always been to go to university in the UK, and at the moment I am finally IN the UK but on a "working holiday visa" where I am only allowed to study part-time but can work full-time. Long story short, I have realized that if I want to study here I have to pay the ridiculously high tuition rates for internationals, which I can't afford without digging myself into a grave of student loan debt. When I first heard about this visa I was incredibly excited because I thought it was my ticket out of my home country. I dreamt and slaved for almost 1 year to come here. I thought maybe I could work and study and see if I can make it work somehow, but I'm not even sure anymore of what I really want to study. I know rationally I should go back home where the tuition is cheaper, scholarship opportunities are better, and most of all it's cheaper for me to try different courses that may interest me. After I finish a first year there I can still apply to transfer to other schools (both in the UK and in the states, also another dream).

So long story short, I don't know if I should stay and spend another year here in the UK, take my time to work in England and then travel throughout Europe, or pack my bags and get ready to go back to Canada to start school in January. I feel sad about going back because I've been saving up and working so hard to come here, only to go back now within six months?! I've made some great friends here with my housemates and that's also making me hesitant about leaving.

On the other hand I want to start school because I want to have that college experience I never had. If I don't do it now the likelihood of getting an "authentic" experience will be less and less likely. If I wait till September 2010 to start school I won't finish until 2014 by which time I will be nearly 29. At the same time maybe I'm glamorizing the whole college experience? School will always be there, but how many times will I get to be 24 and in Paris, Rome, and Venice, for example? ANSWER: ONCE!!!!!!

My visa expires in April 2011. I can finish a year at university and then come back to the UK in December 2010 to work and save up and go do some more travelling. I will be 25 then, though. How very sad.

Any advice, thoughts?

[DaneCA]

First of all, I think it's SO awesome that you moved to the UK! I studied in London when I was in college and I've been dying to move there for good ever since. I have EU citizenship so I could actually live and work there, but I'm too poor and wimpy to get my act together and just go!

Anyway, 24 is NOT old, and I'm a big advocate of getting one's education. That being said, even at 24 or 25, you won't have the "authentic" college experience. Unfortunately, you're already past that point, because the majority of your classmates will be between the ages of 18 and 22 and you probably won't have a lot in common with them, especially after being on your own for a few years. So why not stay in the UK until your visa expires (or for the next year or whatever), and then return to Canada and get your degree?

[spiritedaway]

Which one do you want more?

Actually, I won't know what I'd do if I were in your situation. You said school will always be there, but keep in mind, travel will always be there too (if you have time and money). I think the more the years go by, the harder or less inclined you'll want to go back to school (imo, which makes it the harder choice)

Ultimately, I think this is one of those that comes down which one do you want more (along with, what do you want to do long term)?

Also, I know it's natural to feel a bit sad about getting older, but it's really not half that bad once you get into your groove. Really. :)

Best of luck.

[lovecouture]

First of all, I think it's SO awesome that you moved to the UK! I studied in London when I was in college and I've been dying to move there for good ever since. I have EU citizenship so I could actually live and work there, but I'm too poor and wimpy to get my act together and just go!

Anyway, 24 is NOT old, and I'm a big advocate of getting one's education. That being said, even at 24 or 25, you won't have the "authentic" college experience. Unfortunately, you're already past that point, because the majority of your classmates will be between the ages of 18 and 22 and you probably won't have a lot in common with them, especially after being on your own for a few years. So why not stay in the UK until your visa expires (or for the next year or whatever), and then return to Canada and get your degree?

Haha, well from the way I see it, I stand a better CHANCE of getting an authentic college experience than if I waited till I was 26 to start. And I absolutely believe that if you want something hard enough you can get it. There's no reason why I can't go partying, make friends, get involved in university activities and just live the life of a college student. I know obviously being older than the rest of the population will always be a fact I cannot change, but well, I ain't about to let that stop me! But I think I get what you are saying... it'll never be "truly" authentic so there's no difference going later or going now.

(London was great, but a bit too hectic and dirty for my tastes. I'm in Oxford at the moment and it's just lovely. I am so jealous of your EU citizenship!)

[lovecouture]

Which one do you want more?

Actually, I won't know what I'd do if I were in your situation. You said school will always be there, but keep in mind, travel will always be there too (if you have time and money). I think the more the years go by, the harder or less inclined you'll want to go back to school (imo, which makes it the harder choice)

Ultimately, I think this is one of those that comes down which one do you want more (along with, what do you want to do long term)?

Also, I know it's natural to feel a bit sad about getting older, but it's really not half that bad once you get into your groove. Really. :)

Best of luck.

Thanks for the advice. =)

You may be right. I'm not sure if you've ever seen the movie "Before Sunrise," but the lovers in the movie were both 23 and had a magical night in Vienna, I've always had this fantasy of re-enacting that ever since seeing that movie. Hahahaha. I'm actually dreamy enough to believe this! And well, I am planning to use month of December to travel. But it will be winter and I'm not sure if there is much to see of Paris or Rome in December. =/

[spiritedaway]

Hehe, I think we're all romantic at heart (I've never seen that movie though)

I think London's great, but I agree that it's too hectic and dirty compared to some other places. I've stayed in London quite a few times in recent years since one of my siblings worked abroad, and I took every opportunity I can to "visit". :) I'm glad to hear that you're planning some time to travel. It'll be colder in December, but I bet the sights (either in Rome or Paris) would still be as awesome.

I've got no advice for Rome, but I'd totally recommend taking the Eurostar for a nice and relaxing trip to Paris. It's convenient to go from the UK (St Pancras to connect) and you should also be able to book some great deals and discounted fare since you're under 26. I will say that even though Paris is absolutely lovely and clean, I'd still prefer London because the language barrier (my poor French, even though I prepared for it) would drive me nuts over time.

Anyway, enjoy your travels! You're still young. You could totally do both (school AND travel).

Thanks for the advice. =)
You may be right. I'm not sure if you've ever seen the movie "Before Sunrise," but the lovers in the movie were both 23 and had a magical night in Vienna, I've always had this fantasy of re-enacting that ever since seeing that movie. Hahahaha. I'm actually dreamy enough to believe this! And well, I am planning to use month of December to travel. But it will be winter and I'm not sure if there is much to see of Paris or Rome in December. =/

[lovecouture]

Anybody else got advice for me?

I feel like I'm putting down roots here and it's getting harder and harder to leave. I've found a job and my coworkers are all really nice and showering me with attention.

The trouble with job hunting is you basically have to lie and say you're interested in staying for way longer than you actually intend to stay. People don't want you to flake out and quit the job after a couple months but that's exactly what backpackers on my kind of visa does! And yet your chances of getting a job will be even lower if you mention you'd be leaving after 3 months!

Sigh, I just not sure.

[sarahg]

What about countries other than the UK? There are several countries in Europe where the tuition is much cheaper and student visas allow you to work part-time. There are English-language programs that are pretty competitive, or you could enroll in a language school and be eligible for a visa that way, or you could enroll as a regular student if you know the language.

[futurist]

Speaking as someone who's traveled through Europe alone, and while we're on the subject, as someone who actually did have a Before Sunrise-esque moment... in Vienna (for the record I had not seen the film beforehand, and sitting through it for the first time months later was an experience I would describe as more intense than comfortable)... my vote would be for you to pack your things and hop around the continent for as long as your bank account and calendar will allow. I could've done it for years if I had the means. If you're in the UK, you're already on the threshold! You're there! How could you possibly NOT do it?? Maybe there's some decisions I wish I'd make differently in life, but trekking through the Old World during my mid-20s will never be one of them.

By the way, it doesn't matter what time of year you go. I went during mid-winter twice and it's no less beautiful. Honestly, I figure it's the best (and cheapest) time to go considering there's few other tourists around (which makes for a more genuine experience, especially in smaller places like Bruges).