The right time to study abroad?

[Andrew987]

I'm thinking about investing the time and money to spend a year at school such as IUP. While I'm sure a program such as that would be beneficial in raising my Chinese to higher level, I'm concerned about what happens after the year is finished.

I have to return to the US for a minimum of two years to finish school. I'm an undergrad and still have one semester until I finish my bachelor's and then plan to apply to a master's program. Ideally the program will allow me to spend the first year in the US and second year I can return to China to finish.

Even if I find a Chinese roommate in the US, and read newspapers, watch TV, etc, I'm afraid my Chinese will inevitably regress during those two years.

The other option would be hold off on the year studying abroad until the master's program is complete, however I see two big problems with this choice:

1. After finishing a master's program, I'd like to get started working, not sure if I could put everything on hold at that time to take a year out for language.

2. Since language really takes an entire lifetime to study, not 1 year or 4 years, it seems the earlier one can obtain the knowledge the better.

If I were a traditional student, time wouldn't be such a factor. However, I worked before starting school, so now I'm 29. I plan on working in a business, ideally in China, so the language is something I hope to use for work and daily life. My undergraduate degree is Chinese language.

Appreciate any thoughts or comments.

Thanks!

[kdavid]

It seems like either way you look at it, there's going to be a gap between your studies in China and finishing your education/beginning to work.

If you study now, you still have to go back and finish school. If you finish school, you still have to go back and work after you finish studying, right?

Ideally, it may be best to finish your degree, and then come out here and work. Could you find something related to your degree?

Better yet, could you establish a wide enough social network during your year of study to help you find a job related to your degree so that you can begin working in China after your year of study?

Since language really takes an entire lifetime to study, not 1 year or 4 years, it seems the earlier one can obtain the knowledge the better.

True, but I don't think you're going to lose a lot of brain power in the two years that it takes you to finish your degree should you decide to put your year of study off. In fact, I find most people who do a "gap year" lose a lot of momentum and rhythm with their studies. If you're in a groove now, stick with it.

You can continue to study wherever you are now. Sure, being in China is ideal, but I think having a degree that will put food on the table, a roof over your head, and help provide a nest egg for retirement is much more important.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.