Next Year

[bookaddict88]

Well, I'm all registered for next semester's classes now!  Things can still change, but for now, I'm pretty content with what I've got. I'm taking the following 7 classes*:

• Computers in Society
• Introduction to Computer Systems
• BIC Capstone: The Once and Future King: David, Jesus, and King Arthur
• World Cultures V: Islamic Culture in the Middle East**
• The Early Republic, 1789-1860 (American History)**
• Introduction to Language and Linguistics
• Ballet I

The BIC*** capstone classes are usually only offered in the spring, but for some reason, they're offering one section of it in the fall. As the topic is the one I've been wanting to take, I went ahead and signed up for it. However, with that out of the way, I only needed one hour of computer science and I'd be done with all my major and minor requirements after next semester.  And then I got to thinking, Why don't I study abroad in the spring?  Originally, I'd been opposed to studying abroad my final semester, but the idea suddenly started to get attractive.  My mom was very supportive of the idea, and so I started to look at the various programs that my school approves.

That one hour of computer science was a bit worrying at first. Not all of the programs have upper level computer science courses, and some of those that do have limited offerings, and there'd be a chance the class wouldn't fit into my schedule or that the class would be full before I registered. I didn't want to end up being one hour short of getting a minor in computer science just because I studied abroad. I discovered today, however, that there's a one hour, upper level "Computers in Society" course that fits perfectly into my schedule for next semester. I registered for the class, and now, I'm free to take whatever I want if I study abroad next spring!****

So within a week and a half, I've gone from definitely not studying abroad next spring to being almost sure that I want to do it.  The main question now is: where should I go?  Last time, the choice was easy. My mom basically said I had to study in a Spanish-speaking country, or she wouldn't pay for any of my expenses.  The program in Madrid was the only one where I could attend an English-speaking university (because even now, after four months in Madrid, my Spanish is not good enough to understand university-level classes in the language!).  Plus, Spain was in Europe, and I'd always wanted to go to Europe.  This time, however, I've talked my mom into letting me go where I want, within reason.  And now, I've been to Europe, and while I'd absolutely love to go back, being in that continent is not as important.  In fact, being outside of western Europe is a plus, mainly that area tends to be more expensive than others.  So anyway, I've got my choices narrowed down at the moment to the following four programs:

• Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa
• American University in Cairo, Egypt
• Hong Kong Baptist University in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
• University of Maastricht in Maastricht, Netherlands

I'm having trouble picking between those four, though!  Does anyone have any information on or advice for any of those schools, cities, or countries that would be useful for me as I make my decision?*****



* 18 credit hours. Not the most I've taken, but still, it's going to be a busy semester!
** Coincidentally, the American History and World Cultures classes I'm taking were the ones that won my poll! (The Early Republic won by a landslide, while the world cultures ones were more close.) 
*** BIC is my interdisciplinary honors program
**** In case you're wondering why I don't just graduate early, I have a very nice scholarship that lasts eight semesters. There's no point in wasting a semester's worth!
***** I don't think I've ever used footnotes in a post before. I usually just use parentheses. But using footnotes here was rather useful, and now, I might have to start using footnotes more often!

Comments

[song-of-truth.livejournal.com]

I know women tend to have a rough time in Egypt, but I can't speak from experience there (quite yet). But all those choices look lovely. If I had to pick, I'd say Hong Kong, just so you could see the opposite side of the world!

And word about sticking out college until the very end. I'm gonna graduate with some insane amount of credit, but I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I left early!

[bookaddict88.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there is that about Egypt.

Re: Hong Kong: I've been to Japan and Thailand (and Australia/New Zealand), so I have been to that side of the world. Still, I've never been to Hong Kong or mainland China, and as half of my ancestors are from China, it would be cool to go there.

Actually, if I wanted to go to a completely new area, I'd choose South Africa. The closest I've been to there is Morocco, which really isn't close at all.

And word about sticking out college until the very end. I'm gonna graduate with some insane amount of credit, but I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I left early!

Yes, I'm scared out of my mind to leave college! If money were an issue, I'd make myself graduate early, but since I have this scholarship, I'm staying as long as possible!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

The closest I've been is Morocco :D The whole length of Africa away!

Great plans, and it was fun to see what choices you finally made from before, re: classes.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Nifty choices!

[windsong5.livejournal.com]

Those sound so fun! Good luck with your next semester. :)

[millionbubbles.livejournal.com]

Hey, I read your post on World Travel and then read a bit of your LJ, I love that your so into reading and travel. Mind if I add you as a friend? :)

[bookaddict88.livejournal.com]

Totally fine with me! I added you as well. :)