Age...

[Cil]

One other thing which immediately comes to mind are volunteer programs around the world. Get out and see that which the world has to offer, and try to understand others' points of view.

One of my kid's best friends is doing Teach America in Brooklyn this year.

Another good buddy did Americorps the year before he began college. That kid, who happens to be Jewish, spent a year building churches in the rural Southeast states.

My son, the one a year younger than BSmart, saved money all through his teen years for a 6 week solo trip through Europe the summer after he graduated high school. He is spending this year in France teaching French kindergarten and first grade teachers methods of teaching English. Next year it's grad school, though he has not ruled out the Peace Corps.

I agree that taking some time to get out and about in the world makes for a more thoughtful, well-rounded person; someone with the experience to explore and absorb new ideas and concepts. I loved Art History class, but it was going to the Prado in Madrid or the Uffizi in Florence that really blew my mind.

However, these days employers look upon a college degree the way they used to consider a high school diploma. Education has become a commodity.

It's too bad that so often there are kids who would like but don't get to have a formal education, while there are so many upon whom it is wasted.

 

[pk305]

One other thing which immediately comes to mind are volunteer programs around the world. Get out and see that which the world has to offer, and try to understand others' points of view.

Just a few thoughts.[/QUOTE]

That is sooooo true!! My son's adventures have REMINDED me to do just that...like we tried to do back in the 60's and 70's but then LIFE happened!!

It's so exciting as we see our kids branching out all over the world....
other friends have kids currently teaching English in China & working with orphaned teens in Moldovia, (and none of these volunteers are living in the best of conditions) These are all college educated folks mostly kids of doctors, lawyers, CEO's....they know what may potentially be ahead for them with their careers & they are following their hearts before jumping into the fray....they know that seeing the WORLD, living in the WORLD, UNDERSTANDING the World better could change the paths they choose!! I'm really so proud of all of them!! And yes, their friends are off to grad schools, law schools, etc.....they have heard a different drummer FOR NOW and are thankfully listening to that beat!!!
One doesn't necessarily have to go around the world to do this but if one is so inclined, it surely doesn't get any easier........ as LIFE happens!!!

 

[whitesands]

...and more importantly, he divorced the same woman time and time again.

My point exactly. When we fail to learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. I image this guy lives a largely unhappy life. Hopefully he has a great relationship with his divorce attorney

 

[dbuck]

SJ and Cil, have you been listening to conversations in my house. My son has been lucky enough to have two great history teachers, both males. THey also both backpacked across Europe for several months, well guess what my son wants to do, you guessed it. If he was 21 or 22, ok, but at 18 he is just too immature for this, I know I pick up after him. But the exchange courses I would definitely go along with. Like all parents I just want the best for him, whatever that may be.

We tell him to get an education so he can make money (because he does like to spend it) . . . he says money doesn't buy love, but I tell him it buys a nice car to go looking for it.

 

[Cil]

him. But the exchange courses I would definitely go along with. Like all parents I just want the best for him, whatever that may be.

:

dbuck
He might well rise to the occasion. Think of it as another kind of education.
Travelling by yourself is a good way to grow up real fast!
Our kid turned 18 in Paris on Bastille Day, with fireworks going off all over the place. We did worry a bit, he was a player all through high school, but he'd been travelling with us before, he knew what to do. It was definitely a good experience for him and got some of his ya-yas out before going off to college.
He also did the exchange student thing in college. He said that a lot of the American kids there just got drunk and hung out with other Americans; they sort of missed the point of the whole thing.

 

[Smiling JOe]

SJ and Cil, have you been listening to conversations in my house. My son has been lucky enough to have two great history teachers, both males. THey also both backpacked across Europe for several months, well guess what my son wants to do, you guessed it. If he was 21 or 22, ok, but at 18 he is just too immature for this, I know I pick up after him. But the exchange courses I would definitely go along with. Like all parents I just want the best for him, whatever that may be.

We tell him to get an education so he can make money (because he does like to spend it) . . . he says money doesn't buy love, but I tell him it buys a nice car to go looking for it.

Ditto that which Cil wrote in the above post. If you continue to pick up your son's crap, he will throw it on the floor forever and never learn to clean up on his own.

Some talk about the importance of a college degree. Think outside of the box. Why can't your kids create their own business? Why should they have to work for Whitey. Going to college and doing that which everyone else is doing makes an average person. Excel! Bill Gates and Michael Dell thought college got in the way of their business. -- Just a thought.

 

[Miss Kitty]

One concept that I think is overlooked is the British "gap year". Before heading into University, some kids take the year off to work, travel, volunteer, etc. Not everyone is ready for college right out of HS, but in our bubble it is almost unthinkable not to go! Some kids end up dropping out, flunking out or transferring....and will go back later when they figure out more who they are and what they want!

 

[Kimmifunn]

One concept that I think is overlooked is the British "gap year". Before heading into University, some kids take the year off to work, travel, volunteer, etc. Not everyone is ready for college right out of HS, but in our bubble it is almost unthinkable not to go! Some kids end up dropping out, flunking out or transferring....and will go back later when they figure out more who they are and what they want!

College is too fun to skip out on! I reccommend that year after graduation.

 

[Beach Runner]

I think that the year's break (whether it be for work, as we did, or play) after undergrad school is valuable. Many top-notch grad schools (especially business schools) won't accept you right out of undergrad school.

 

[Kimmifunn]

I think that the year's break (whether it be for work, as we did, or play) after undergrad school is valuable. Many top-notch grad schools (especially business schools) won't accept you right out of undergrad school.

Yeah...I think work after undergrad and before grad is crucial.
I'm all schooled out. Grad school ain't my thang!