Is it worth it?

Society Business and Career
1

I’m in third year of undergrad and I’m majoring in Psychology and minoring in political science. I eventually want to teach elementary school. There is a two-semester long course that I need to take as a prerequisite for some four-hundred level courses for psych. I was supposed to take it in second year but didn’t and was going to take it in 2004 summer and spring semester (April-September) but am rethinking it now. If I don’t take it then, this will delay my graduation hmm till 2007 April or something or maybe earlier. Meaning 6 years of university and I’m 19 years old now :eek: Anyway I know I probably shouldn’t not take that course next summer but I wanted to go to Pakistan and do an internship there or something. Would that be a smart idea?

2

I would personally suggest you take the course. Its better to get education out of your way and then look for some experience. Plus sine you are already in the US or Canada, you can find part time jobs being a teachers aid or something. Look at your local public school, they always need help. You get your internship/experience there.

If you want to do an internship in Pak, i would recommend the Aurat Foundation. Its womans lib orgnanization (and controversial) in pakistan, where my sis interned for 4 odd months. She tailored her internship to what she wanted, basically go to the rural outback in pakistan and see the situation of women there. You can always see if they have any educational programs offered and if you can teach kids.

And that above is there weblink.

3

I agree with CM. Don't worry about how many years it takes to get the degree, now a days with many mandatory courses only offered once a year people end up taking longer. Also you may be eventually able to go to school part time at the end while you're interning else where.

I also think doing a stint at the end of undergrad will be much better for you learning/experience wise.

Are you doing a combined BA/MA teaching or will you apply for a master's program in teaching later on? Depending on where you want to go..having the international experience may help you get into a better/more prestigious program.