How to approach this

lika_86

Agree with all the others. My semester abroad was the best experience of my degree and really gave me something to talk about in subsequent job interviews (even if not relevant to the job but to show I was well rounded and had interests ie. improving my language skills). Most people won't get the chance to live abroad again, so being a student is the time to do it and make the most of it!

If nothing else, he might learn to order beer in another language! Plus, you could go visit him - cheap holiday!

mountainofdebt

He's doing a science course and it's not a sandwich course (I could understand the benefit of doing that if it was) ...the 3rd year is literally a year in a foreign university which has no bearing at all on the degree he (hopefully) will get.

Shegirl it would have to be Junior that I talked about this and I know he's abit of a traveller at heart, which is what attracted him to the
course in the first place.

I guess that having found out that there is no 'added value' to this extra year (in fact I've been told that the only 'advatage' is that the student comes back fluent in the language they've been taught in - not really applicable as he's going to an english speaking country - and can enjoy the local culture) then I can't see the point in him doing it.

I don't have an issue with him studying abroad per se ....if he wants to go and do a post graduate course abroad I wouldn't mind.

lika_86

It's up to him. He's an adult. If he wants to go, let him go. If you have these concerns then maybe explain them to him but to be honest, it's his decision and I honestly think he'll have more 'added value' to him as a graduate seeking a job than you are giving the year credit for. Sadly it's not all about results now when applying for jobs, it's about showing you're a well rounded individual with interests and about distinguishing yourself from all the others with 2.1 degrees from good universities.

January20

If you know he is a bit of a traveller at heart, why don't you want to let him be what he really is and explore a foreign country? Even if it is an English speaking one, there will be plenty to learn and experience!

Are you just afraid he might like it too much and not come back?

shegirl

mountainofdebt wrote: »

He's doing a science course and it's not a sandwich course (I could understand the benefit of doing that if it was) ...the 3rd year is literally a year in a foreign university which has no bearing at all on the degree he (hopefully) will get.

Shegirl it would have to be Junior that I talked about this and I know he's abit of a traveller at heart, which is what attracted him to the
course in the first place.

I guess that having found out that there is no 'added value' to this extra year (in fact I've been told that the only 'advatage' is that the student comes back fluent in the language they've been taught in - not really applicable as he's going to an english speaking country - and can enjoy the local culture) then I can't see the point in him doing it.

I don't have an issue with him studying abroad per se ....if he wants to go and do a post graduate course abroad I wouldn't mind.

The experience is huge 'added value'. I really don't understand why you're against this

Gloomendoom

lika_86 wrote: »

Sadly it's not all about results now when applying for jobs, it's about showing you're a well rounded individual with interests and about distinguishing yourself from all the others with 2.1 degrees from good universities.

Sadly? IMHO it is a change for the better, if it is a change at all.

*max*

Studying sciences doesn't mean that it's not important to experience another culture, even if it's an English speaking country. He will have the opportunity to learn different aspects of his field, different views, different practices and schools of thought. It's actually very beneficial for scientist to be immersed in a different environment, it helps with open-mindedness on the subject.

Dunroamin

mountainofdebt wrote: »

He's doing a science course and it's not a sandwich course (I could understand the benefit of doing that if it was) ...the 3rd year is literally a year in a foreign university which has no bearing at all on the degree he (hopefully) will get.

Shegirl it would have to be Junior that I talked about this and I know he's abit of a traveller at heart, which is what attracted him to the
course in the first place.

I guess that having found out that there is no 'added value' to this extra year (in fact I've been told that the only 'advatage' is that the student comes back fluent in the language they've been taught in - not really applicable as he's going to an english speaking country - and can enjoy the local culture) then I can't see the point in him doing it.

I don't have an issue with him studying abroad per se ....if he wants to go and do a post graduate course abroad I wouldn't mind.

Have I understood what you're saying? He specifically chose this course because of the chance of going abroad and now you're trying to stop him?

You still haven't explained why you're against this and why you should have any input into his decision.

lika_86

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Sadly? IMHO it is a change for the better, if it is a change at all.

Only sadly from the point of view that the emphasis now is on the additional stuff, so as a student I spent a lot of time doing things I wasn't that interested in to appear 'well-rounded' so I could tick off the requisite boxes on application forms - sport (Ski Club - tick), meaningless society (AIESEC - tick), position of responsibility (Union Committee - tick), travel/languages (semester abroad - tick), relevant work experience (tick) etc etc.

And it's becoming that now even to get into university school pupils need to do similar things, it only seeks to widen the gap between those who are able to afford opportunities and those who can't. It's no longer enough to be bright, able and interested, a meaningless list of interests (all quickly dropped) are needed.

mountainofdebt

Sorry guys I know I'm not explaining myself very well (bit of an emotional week) so can't really explain myself.

I do understand its his decision but I can't help but feel that the extra costs involved (regardless of who finances it) don't justify the experience....I would have totally a different attitude if there was a qualification at the end of it

The other thing (in my mind at least!) against going is that if he did go then he would be coming back to do his 4th year practically on his own - apparently its very rare (I know!) that a student chooses to do this year abroad - and effectively would be studying with the next year's freshers (the final year of both the 3yr and 4th are the same)