Is it possible to study abroad in Asia?

How can I convince my mom to let me study abroad in Asia?

• A little background information: My college is doing two study abroad trips in this next year. They each are only two weeks long and are during spring break and summer break. Spring break is to China and summer break is to Thailand. I am a Culinary student so either trips would be a worthwhile investment in the knowledge I would learn about the food and culture. The problem: My mother has a very tight wallet, which isn't a bad thing, but it took long enough to convince her that despite the costs my education is worth it. So now that I believe the money issue has gotten out of the way, my mom's tight mind seems to be the new problem... Her current argument is that she doesn't want me to travel to Asia because she thinks I will get sick from all the radiation in the air over there. I know that this is just one of many arguments that she will have because my mom has never really traveled out of the country and all she knows is what documentaries tell her. I am sure she thinks that all of Asia is like Slum dog Millionaire. So please, help me! She says she only wants me to study abroad in Europe, which I don't mind but I don't have any opportunities to do so at the moment. Also she let my sister go to Haiti and live in tents for a 2 weeks, where basically everyone got sick, but she won't let me go stay in a nice hotel in Bangkok or Shanghai. What can I do to help broaden my mother's horizons and maybe just simply get her to see that the impoverished villages she sees on TV isn't a reflection of the entire Asian continent?

• Answer:

  First, did she watch any of the Beijing Olympics? It really showed how modern the city is. You might be able to find videos of it - on YouTube or somewhere. You can also use Google maps street view. And there's a Chinese version of Amazing Race on YouTube called China Rush that shows how beautiful China is. Then, maybe you can find someone who has traveled there to talk to her. Or look for a blog that an American student has kept about their experiences there.