Hey everyone! Now that I’ve finally got this blog thing, half-decently working, I thought for sure, everyone would comment if I wrote about something in my life, that you can all relate to. More and more, I’ve become excited about College/University, finally finishing off high-school and moving on with my life. At the same time, there has been a lot of great help from counsellors and work-shops, but instead of registering the information given to me, I always seem to get more and more stressed out. I can’t remember half of what the speaker has said, because I’m so worried about how much schooling is going to cost, how much time I will have to work, or spend with family, or if I will want to start my own family before school is over. It sounds crazy, but I always wanted to be young when I move on with life.As more and more work-shops come to the school, I’m interested, but only one university really sits on my heart, all the time. There’s one problem, that University is in another country.
When I vacationed to Puerto Vallarta last Feburary, it was the most at home I have felt in my entire life. The University of Guadalajara is in Puerto Vallarta and it’s the one that I would love to attend. I got to see it when I was there, and since then, I always knew something would bring me back. I would love to live there and start a family, but because my family and friends are here, I would rather go to school there and come back to start my life, in a more stable environment. I speak broken/fluent spanish, if that makes any sense and I fell in love with the culture and pace of life in Mexico over my four experiences with different parts of the country. Puerto Vallarta is my favourite and I wanted to hear about what you guys thought about following a crazy dream like this, or if it would be better to get schooling here finished first, and a life, then decide whether that’s still in the cards for me. I don’t want to miss out on a once in a lifetime experience and I wanted your advice. Please feel free to be brutally honest. 
– JO
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October 10, 2007 at 9:12 pm
kbeamwo
I’d say go for it! I know it’s a lot different saying it rather than doing it but you have to remember (as sad as it is to say) you may not even be close with most people after everyones gone to university, and those that you are close with…that’s what long distance calling packages and e-mails are for! You only have one life so you should go somewhere you really want to go, and hey, if you go there for half a semester and hate it, you can always come back! No one says you have to live there forever. Plus you will always have your family no matter how far away, and you will make new friends!
And remember, that broken/fluent spanish that you do speak WILL become easier for you to learn once you are submersed in it! Just make sure they offer the courses you want, and if you just want to go to school there an then come back to Canada make sure you check out to see if their degrees/certificates/etc are valid here because that would suck if you spent 4 yrs worth of money & time only to be shut down when you came back to Canada !
October 13, 2007 at 12:45 am
mstrauswo
University in Mexico, huh?
Well, with this whole issue, there are many things to take into account. Are you considering this university because it has good programs on top of this longing for a life in Mexico, or is it just your gut feeling that’s compelling you?
In terms of “crazy dreams”, I think we’re in the same boat. I’ve never been to British Columbia, but I’ve seen pictures, and I had a very profound experience last year that left a huge impression on my life. Since that experience, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of attending university out in BC, and starting a life there. I just have this feeling that that’s how my future will unfold. I honestly can’t imagine myself living and working anywhere else in the world.
What you should do is think about the best- and worst-case scenarios. What will your life be like if you do end up going to Mexico for university? What will your life be like if you don’t? Would you be able to deal with not attending university in Mexico, or is Mexico the only place in the world you can picture yourself later on in life? Also try and look at this from a risk versus potential reward stance. What do you have to lose by pursuing the U of Guadalajara? What do you have to gain? People in general seem to have an anti-risk mentality. I believe that it’s okay to take risks as long as you’re careful about it, and the cause is worthwhile. Besides, what can it hurt to simply apply to the university?
Granted, I don’t have all the answers. I can’t look into a crystal ball and tell you what anyone’s future holds. No one can. All I can suggest is, apply to the program (or programs) at the University of Guadalajara that matches your desired career path, but also apply to universities here in Canada. If Guadalajara accepts you, awesome. Go for it. If not, then attend a Canadian university, and move to Mexico after you’ve graduated, if that’s what you truly desire.
October 15, 2007 at 2:57 pm
cfaesslerwo
YO! i definetly think that we can all relate with how scary university/college is
. though you have a bit of an even harder decision to make…it seems like you have thought about it a lot..and if you really wanted to go to school there and you think that it has the right programs and everything else that you are looking for as opposed to any schools here then GO FOR IT!! ..haha i hope this helped..or even made sense…COURT
October 15, 2007 at 3:03 pm
crogerswo
Firstly…I absolutly(sp) love your background and stuff…it’s cool.
I fully agree with you about the stress thing. I mean I am taling fifth year but being in grade 12 all the information is still being given and I’m a little worried. The end of this year is HUGE!! Everyone is moving on and I’m worried.
I also want to start my family young and that means getting married in university because my study is going to take many years and I don’t want to wait to get married ans start my life.
I think that you can do anything Jo and if your school is somewhere else you should go for it. It will work out if you want it to. Don’t think it won’t happen…work for it, don’t give up and it should be good.
October 15, 2007 at 3:04 pm
atabbertwo
Travelling to get your education is an awesome idea. Everyone always talks about how they will travel later and how they can’t wait to explore the world. But really, once you’ve gone to university and are paying off your debts with a job that probably doesn’t make as much as you thought, will you really have the money to travel? When your debts are all paid off and you’re moving up in your job you probably won’t want to ask for too much time off, and you really don’t want to just leave everything you just worked so hard to get. Travelling for school is perfect. University is going to cost you so much already that it doesn’t really matter if you spend a bit more to go somewhere great. YOu’ll be meeting new people wherever you go, so why not go to Mexico?
I really hope you go. have fun!!
-Amy
October 17, 2007 at 2:41 am
jscottwo
If it’s a once in a lifetime experience that you are truly passionate about, then nothing should hold you back. You only have one life to live and if you don’t do what you truly want to do then… well it sucks bigtime because life doesn’t give second chances haha. Seriously though, not trying to sound cheesy but I’ve thought about the same thing.
If you knew some of the wild ambitions that I and surely others had, you probably would look at yours as less of a stretch and go for it. You’re not alone in having crazy dreams that seem ridiculous to follow, you’ve just voiced yours; which is something not alot of people have the courage to do. Nice post though, got me thinking a bit which is good
October 22, 2007 at 7:56 pm
jcvetichwo
Jo-you have to go now, while you’re young and not attached. They have computers, phones etc. there-you will be able to maintain connections to those here you love. If I could go back and do it all over again I would go to McGill in Montreal just to meet different people and exoerience a different culture-and I don’t even speak French! I’m not saying I have regrets, but I clearly can’t go there now-Will the option still be there years from now? I doubt it…
Joe Cool