Does completing a social justice program in HS actually help your career prospects?

STUDYING ABROAD IN HS? S.Y.A PROGRAM? HELP PLEASE!?

• Hi guys, there is a programs called SYA (school year abroad), and I am considering spending my junior year of high school in France through this program (my school is connected to it). 1). I am nervous because I will 9 months away from my family that I am very close to and I am a bit of a Mommy's girl, my Mom really helps me through everything. Instead, I would be staying with a french family. Does the family even speak English? What if the house is a cubicle and the family is very weird? 2). I am also nervous about all but 2 classes being taught in French. Yes I will probably come home fluent, but going into the program I do not know if I can keep up with a history class in French, even though they say this is expected! 3). I am nervous about the work load there and the social scene. Would I be going to clubs if I want to because it isn't America and I am independent? Can I go out? Is Rennes boring? Are the families/program strict? 5). What about SAT tutors over there? I know I can study with books and take practice tests, but if I were to stay home I would have a weekly SAT tutor and how would that work out over there? If any of you have done SYA, or any high school abroad program PLEASE tell me about your experience I am DEEPLY in need for information! 4). PS...I know I shouldn't worry about but some boys at my school have been extremely mean to me and I'm nervous at the fact that they are going to be laughing and creating stories about how "I ran away from my school because no one liked me and I had no friends." -What can I say to snap myself out of caring about this? It is NOT my motive but of course they will say that.

• Answer:

  Well for starters you will NOT come home fluent after one school year abroad. At your age you are going to have to grow up, how are you going to go to college if you cannot handle being away from your family? You will have to take a language test, if you cannot pass it you will not be able to take the classes in French, if you do pass you will be fine in the class. The SAT is an American test, if you want to take it you will have to study yourself, there will not be assistance in the form of tutors in France for a standardized American test, you are really lacking in common sense. You will be allowed a normal social life while you are there. The workload may not be as much as there is not as much regular homework as there seems to be in America, though you will need to spend a lot more time studying for the tests, and you will want to continue studying French very intensely. This is an important life lesson: don't listen to boys. Just ignore them and their comments and eventually they will stop if they cannot get a rise out of you. Just yell at them really fast in French when you get back.