Should I take a year off?

[MarsBlackman]

We all come from different backgrounds on these forums. Currently, I am a junior engineering undergraduate in the states. I've taken 1 year of formal mandarin classes and I am now just studying on my own because I cannot fit the classes into my engineering curriculum. I am determined to learn chinese and don't want to give up.

Dilemma I'm in now for the summer is internship vs. study abroad. Internships lead to jobs yet I feel this is the best time in my life to study abroad. I'm thinking of applying for the CSC Scholarship for one year of language study. Would it be irresponsible if I took a year off to study mandarin and finish my senior year of college when I get back? I'm not scared about not finishing though. I will get my degree haha.

Any opinions would be appreciated. I just want to go to China and really focus on learning the language and culture. I'm only 20 but I'm afraid of getting stuck in life/career in a few years that I won't be able to learn the language fully without dropping absolutely everything.

[Gnome]

This is a question I use to ask myself all the time. I'm currently a senior software engineering student who will graduate this June. Every summer I found a different job outside of my degree and just enjoyed living in new cities. This last summer I spent in Seattle learning Capoeira and Kung Fu while working at some retail store. I literally have no work experience outside of school for software engineering. But it doesn't really matter, cause I will have the piece of paper and that's all companies care about. Showing the initiative to go to a foreign country and learn a new language can show leadership, motivation, etc. So there are both upsides and downsides. The biggest problem for us engineers is that once we leave its hard to get us to come back. If you leave with only one year to finish are you going to be able to pick up where you left off?

More importantly are you going to retain the information you need and still have a completely clear head while in China. My biggest worry was that if I left to do something like that I would be too worried about the things I needed to get done when I came back and therefore couldn't enjoy my time off. I'm applying for a CSC for a full year starting in September so if you're doing the same I hope to hear from you. Its ultimately a hard decision but just consider this: Does a company want someone with one specialty who went through school and right into the work force? Or does a company want someone who has experienced a bit of the world, has many specialties and knowledge areas and could possibly speak Chinese and help the company internationally.

I plan to work for the FBI as a linguist or information analyst with my degree. Things work out quite well this way and I don't have to feel bad about taking a year off after graduation and enjoying some Chinese culture.

[yonglin]

I'm only 20

Do it.

[dillon1530]

If you're serious about learning Chinese and studying in China, it's going to take more than one year to learn Chinese well enough to put it on a resume and use it as a selling point during interviews.

Your willingness to go abroad and study is really commendable - my only word of caution is that working towards fluency will take more than a year. You might want to start taking classes now in the US before heading to China to study abroad. Get a head start! Good Luck!

[fanglu]

I've met a lot more people who've regretted not doing things they wanted to do so as to finish their degree(s) as fast as possible than I have people who've regretted delaying graduation to do things (study abroad, volunteer, internships) they wanted to do.

Personally I took three semesters off (from a non-Chinese-related degree) to study in China and have not regretted it once.

[gato]

If your grades are good and you are self-motivated, then I wouldn't worry about taking a year off, you can make it up with self study. But if your grades are average, then taking a year off right before you graduate might be more of a risk to getting a job in engineering.

[Daan]

Yeah, second that. If your grades are good and you think you'd benefit from it, I wouldn't worry about taking a year off. You're young, now is the time to explore the world before you settle down. And you'll learn about much more than only the Chinese language.

As said above, with your current level, you won't get fluent in one year, so if fluency is your goal you might want to consider studying a bit more in the US before you leave.

[katyjo]

I used to work in Human Resources. I used be part of college recruitment. Focus is very important. You can always study at home. It's going to take a long time to get fluent in Chinese. I believe that you can find an engineering position in China when you are qualified and from what I read, one does not have to know Chinese.

[kdavid]

Every one of my friends back home that has taken "a year off" has never gone back.

Don't do it. You're a Junior. You've got one year left. Finish up your BA first.

[MarsBlackman]

Thanks for your opinions. I've heard so many people close to me say, "do what you feel is right" which gets to be rather frustrating. I'm very realistic and know I won't become fluent within a year, two, or even three. I'm just looking at all of my options. I just don't want to get stuck later in life. Its easy for me to rationalize certain situations so I value opinions from others to help me see the other side of the situation.

You guys (or girls) have brought up great points. I'm pretty self motivated so I don't think I will have too much problem coming back but Gnome brought up a great point. Having a year of school hanging over my head might not be something I want....especially because I have a required senior project. I just feel the burning desire to go and not want to wait a couple years. Realistically maybe summer is best.

[gato]

Are you at CMU? If you are also thinking of getting a Master's before working, then taking a year off is not so much of a risk career-wise.

I've heard so many people close to me say, "do what you feel is right" which gets to be rather frustrating.

That's a euphemism for "I don't know."

[Daan]

It might be frustrating, but it is true. It is your life and if you feel a strong urge to do any given thing, you're the only one who can make it happen, so it's also one of my favourite bits of advice. Although I do understand it can seem to be a bit of a cop-out.

Here's a question I asked myself when deciding whether or not to take a year off to go to China: in ten years' time, where do you see yourself? Are you going to need to have studied in China for a year to be able to do where your heart lies?

[Gnome]

Here is another thing to consider with only one year of college left. Is there anyway you can go to China and study language, and still take one or two classes from home online or that would be transferable? That way you're still technically working towards your degree, but you have all the freedom to continue your Chinese education. I know there might be some basic classes or electives required in your degree that you could take anywhere.

If you're absolutely set on going I would figure out if you want to push off your whole senior year, or just extend it by doing 1 or 2 classes a term online (the easier the better). Hope that helps.

[whereishunter]

With one year to go, I would be looking at getting it done first then heading to China. As once you are here you never know what opportunities could arise in China for engineering. In my city Changzhou just about every foreigner is an engineer. So I dont think it would be too hard to get a job working with them.

By being finished your studying I think it gives you a lot more options.

I was in the same position at university a few years ago now, and was happy that I did finish my university before I started traveling/seeing the world. As its been 8 years and counting

[imron]

I'm also going to chip in to say finish your degree first - that is if you really do intend to finish your degree. Once you've got it, that's something you can fall back on and use when you are overseas. I did a software engineering degree and basically straight after graduation I left to see the world. The initial plan was to go for a year - 10 years later and I've only just recently returned, after spending a number of years in Europe and over 6 years in China. Having that degree opened up a far wider array of options for working overseas that would never had been available otherwise. It also meant that I had nothing requiring me to return and so I could extend my "travels" for as long as I liked. After finishing high-school it was actually a really close decision for me between going to university first or going travelling first. I'm glad I chose the degree - even though it was then a four year wait before seeing the world. If you enjoy your degree and it is related to what you want to do in the future, finish it first. China will still be there when you're done and 20 is still young. I was 25 when I first got to China

[animal world]

Since you've only one year left, i suggest finishing your degree and study Chinese on the side. My senior year in college was a real joy because it was nice to see the finish line coming more and more in sight. Having that degree will open up more opportunities in China and will give you the flexibility to stay overseas as long as you wish without having to worry about when you're ever going to finish your degree. Pending on other factors, taking one year off now might be viewed by future recruiters as being a slacker or not truly committed to your major, blah blah blah.

To take off one year now would also mean having to spend a bit more effort to get back to your degree studies later AND also having to spend time to maintain your knowledge of Chinese.

[jbradfor]

In general, I would say yes. Basically the same as yonglin's reply.

I took a year off after my junior year. But I spend only one semester (in Taiwan), and then spend the second semester working. For me, it was a good trade-off. The amount I learned (both language and culture, plus the experience) was a good experience, even though I didn't use it professionally. While I'll never know what I didn't learn by not being there a second semester, I don't feel I missed too much. Sure, my Chinese would have improved, but I basically forgot it all anyway And I learned a lot the second semester I was working. So that is another option you might consider.

@Gnome

But it doesn't really matter, cause I will have the piece of paper and that's all companies care about.

Depending on the field, this is not true. Many companies really look for intern experience. In my area, getting a (good) job with only a BS and no experience is somewhat difficult. Other areas are different. So just make sure you know your area.

One other downside to taking a year off is that you will be graduating with fewer of your original classmates.

It also may be the case that dealing with the paperwork / approval / visa issues will be much easier while you are a student.

Edited November 7, 2009 at 02:44 AM by jbradfor

[imron]

But it doesn't really matter, cause I will have the piece of paper and that's all companies care about.

Also, it's not just the piece of paper, it's what the piece of paper signifies - i.e. you were able to set yourself a long-term goal and work towards achieving that over 4 or more years. Sometimes it's not so much what you've studied but the fact that you are able to set and achieve significant goals.

[Gnome]

Yeah sorry that came out wrong. I meant what that piece of paper signifies. I also lucked out with the fact that I have my degree in Computer Engineering, and I have 5 years professional work experience in Video Production as well as 4 years of starting, managing, training and performing a group of acrobats. So my resume isn't too shabby to start with.

[MarsBlackman]

Thanks everyone. Yeah I'll most likely finish my degree in four years so I don't have anything hanging over my head. There's just so much pressure to follow a certain path, especially for the summer when having internships. The logic is internship --> job. However, I might try and go for the summer. Thats probably the biggest choice I'll have to make.