Should I go??
 

I am graduating college this May (YEEEEAAA!!!!) and have always planned to go to Paris when I finally made it. I figured I'd make a real trip out of it, Paris, London, and maybe Rome, too. But now that I think of it, I shouldn't spend that much right before I go to grad school aka "Brokeville." I have access to the money, but that fund JUST got turned over to me on my 21st birthday....I'd hate for this trip to be my first withdrawl...just doesn't seem responsible. Actually, it seems downright foolish. But when else in my life will I get to do something like this?? First of all, the trip will only cost an iota of what's in that account, it's not really gonna hurt me at all....at least not right now. And it's been my dream for so long, part of me is thinking when I can really afford it, my life will be much fuller and I won't have the time. I plan to go with my cousin who is like my twin sister so you know we'd CUT UP!!!

I've been on here awhile and have come to respect the opinions of most of the people here. My parents say to save the money and my sister says go for it. So I put it to a poll (I tried to figure out how to do a real poll, but didn't see any links). Leave an answer of what you think. I thought it'd be interesting to gain a mass opinion. You don't have to say why or why not, but you can if you want, I'm all ears:D.

You want to go and you have the money. Go for it.

I'd say go. Have fun. I just got back from Paris about two weeks ago. I had a blast! First time I had been out of the country. If you have the means, go for it!

If it's only gonna be a fraction of what you have available, then go. You don't want to get to be my age and start saying what you wish you had done years ago - especially if you have the money.

Now how you deal with going against the parents' wishes, well, that's another thread.

Do it! You can be responsible about it, though. I suggest looking for hostels and small inns, and taking public transportation everywhere to minimize your spending while there. Plus, if you are traveling alone, hostels will be more fun anyway.

Money isn't worth anything if you don't enjoy it.

:D :p :D GO FOR IT!!!

There will never be a more a perfect time, you never know what may happen in the future. If you have the funds, then do it. You will never forget the memories you make in Paris.

I can't remember all the money I've saved or spent and I sure as hell don't see it now. But....I will never forget the fun moments I shared with family and friends and that's all that matters.

Trust me baby when you get old like me (lol) settle, married with kids its hard to do fun stuff like that. I wish I had taken more oppurtunities when I had the chance:o . So again I say GO FOR IT!!!

I say go, I have been to Paris twice and Monte Carlo once and had a blast both times....so go have a good time and just be responsible with your money.:D

Sounds to me like you'd regret it more if you didn't go than if you did. There are more things involved in this than money :)

traveling abroad is an experience everyone should take if they have the means. Go for it!

Speaking as someone that has done the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" dance before, GO!!! You have the rest of your life to save money and be responsible.

Yeah, what everyone else said! :p

I hope you don't mind my joining this DST discussion but I would like to suggest an option that might give you the best of both choices. As I understand it you plan to attend grad school and want to travel in Europe. Depending on what you plan to do in grad school you might want to consider a European university. They are often rather less expensive than US schools, tend to have very good reputations, and allow you to pursue a really good degree while having the opportunity to see Europe on a more relaxed and in-depth basis.
The United Kingdom has a huge range of possibilities, taught in English, and a very short and cheap flight or train trip to anywhere in Europe. There are substantial travel discounts for students and the opportunity is really amazing.
I did an MA at Oxford before going to Law School and my cousin is doing an MA in History of Classical Law at U of Durham. My sister is planning to do an MFA this fall (professional student, got her BA and JD and now wants to get into another direction), another cousin is doing an MA in graphic art and photography at Leeds.
All of these programs are very reasonable as compared to the cost of US universities. Lots of "short breaks" available through the national union of students and also tours by commercial companies like American Express and a couple of dozen more. Check it out, I think you will discover plenty of opportunities to do both at a reasonable cost. The experience will be invaluable and your resume will be a lot more interesting than just "BA XYZ University, MA ABC University." Tell me if this sounds interesting. Most British Universities have comprehensive websites that you can google and link to.

Go for it!!

You are going to be financially challenged (don't say broke) while in grad school no matter what. Paying for a trip upfront that you have earned (graduating undergrad) is being responsible. Things are going to change so much and you're right you won't know when you'll be able to do this again. PLEASE take advantage and travel as much as you can now. You won't regret where you've gone but you will regret the trips you didn't take.

Hmmm...interesting option. :) That way, you kill two birds with one stone.

Shoot is this even a real question?? go. And take me too. :p

Have a fabulous time, can't wait to read about it!!!!

GO!

Paris...
 

You should go, without hesitation and or procrastination. If you and your cousintwinsister go together, ya'll can split some of the cost for sure. It's a very beautiful city, but then again, all of western Europe is. Can you speak French? If not, you should take like an intermediate french course, something online or what have you, just to have some basics for when you go. This way, you can understand the exchange flow in regards to the euro dollar and so that you will understand their every day courtesies.

7th

I'm with everyone else on this one--GO! Enjoy yourself, take lots of pictures. There is so much to see and do over there. Now that the opportunity has presented itself, take advantage. If you are certain that you have the finances to cover your expenses without hurting afterwards, not to mention a willing traveling partner (your cousin/twin sister), then I say do it. You don't want to look back ten years from now thinking shoulda, coulda, woulda. Bon voyage and do it up, girl!

And the verdict is....
 

Okay, I've made a decision! Thought I'd let you know.......I'm not going to Paris. At least not right now--since I get my Master's in 2 years, I plan to go to Paris then. I have re-evaluated my financial situation and, after all the money I just shelled out for my senior class trip to Jamaica, I've decided that this just isn't the right time. I'd rather keep that special money strictly for things that I need. That's just what feels like the right thing to do. Maybe if I start setting money aside for it and planning the trip now, I'll feel more comfortable completely committing to it :rolleyes: I'm a little sad, HOWEVER, I'm not letting this summer go without my own personal celebration (hey, I've earned it) so....

















I'M GOING TO NEW YORK!!! :D :D :D I've always wanted to go there, too (ever since the Babysitters' Club days when the girls went to visit Stacey:) ). Since I have enough skymiles for a free ticket, my cousin and I are flying up there for a week, and our first night will be a Beyonce concert! I'll have started school by the time her tour got to Cali, so I wouldn't get to see her otherwise. We're going in August, so that'll be my birthday present to myself. :) Thanks for all the input, everybody, I'll be sure to update you in August on how it went!