study abroad

To choose which program I want to apply to as my first choice. The study abroad office said that popular programs (such as public health) fill up very quickly, so it’s best to have the application completed this spring although I’m going abroad next spring.

The problem with this, though, is that I want to have the program I pick (since I can’t get credit for my major with it) to give me a start in some way for my post-college career. And I have recently been very, very unsure of my future prospects. So I don’t know-do I go for the program that may have a lead-in toward peace and conflict resolution, general development in industrializing nations, public health (with, for me, a focus on sexual health), or education? Where will I most likely end up?

There’s a new summer program this summer that goes to Cambodia in order to study recovery and reconciliation from the effects of the Khmer Rouge regime! This is just what I would want to learn about in Cambodia!

I envision this happening second semester junior year, so during spring 2009. I want a program with economic focus (so I may get some credit toward my major), but public health (especially relating to sexual health), education, peace and conflict resolution, and development are all interesting topics.

Fun places so far:

Brazil-there are several programs here that would work-one that especially intrigues me in Salvador. Another would take me many places in the Northeast. I may get credit for my African-American Studies minor, too!

India-Economic and development program based in Delhi.

Australia-Economic program at Adelaide.

South Africa-an excellent summer program on education which I might be able to do if I save up for it, as well as a program out of Durban based on public health.

Vietnam-my favorite program so far, I would be able to travel around Vietnam asking farmers and other local folks how they are faring in the socialist-based economy. I would not only get to study socialist-based economics, but development economics too, both of which interest me since most U.S. schools see fit only to pooh-pooh them without necessarily teaching us the principles of them. Also, I might get to nip over to Cambodia and Thailand, too.