Where will she go next? No, don't answer that.

We sent her to Montreal and Quebec with the middle school French department, Paris with the high school group, and New Orleans (pre-Katrina) with the music department. Last winter she traveled to Orlando with her Disney-connected roommate.

Now she emails me: "Mom, can I go to Italy? I attached all the details."

My first reaction was the timing: it's in May and June, and those are her prime months for working in the garden center. Can she afford not to work? Of course not. Money is a concern here.

But can she afford not to travel while it's possible? She's young, unattached, unmarried, childless. Travel like this will be a lot harder later in her life.

She's a photographer by choice, artist by nature. Florence, Italy, the central destination for the trip, is "...kind of the birthplace of the renaissance that means it super ties into my minor of art hard core." Her words, of course. Her other rationale is this: "Some of the other people going are actually from the journalism department." Her major, by the way.

She would earn credit for the trip as well. Art credit? Journalism credit? I don't know.  I'm afraid to look at the cost. Or should I consider this an investment? After all, she may come home with photos that will enhance her portfolio, win prizes for her, or even gain recognition in her field.

So I'm stuck. If money were no object (it is, but let's pretend it isn't), what would you do?

Comments

[shadylady1216]

Money's no object? Go!

My parents let me work at a volunteer job in Wyoming when I was in college, and it was the experience of a lifetime! I did have to come home early one summer when my father was able to get me 3 weeks of paid employment taking inventory at local factory, but I still got to be out west most of the summer.

Later in her life, she will have other responsibilities to tie her down. If you can swing it--or if she can-- let her do it. You're only young once.

[Ilona]

If money were no object, I'd send her, absolutely. Travel is, in my world view, A Good Thing, and it seems she has the bug.

However, since money is an object, could you reach an arrangement whereby she contributed to the cost of the trip somehow? Either by cash or in some other way? Or part of the costs would be in the form of a loan which she would pay back after graduation?

[Daisy]

Ilona and shadylady; you're thinking like I am. If we can swing it, and she can contribute, it'll be a great trip for her.

[amyz5]

my opinion. i would eat cat food to give them the opportunities like this. if you can find a way to swing it this is an experience she will never forget

[Daisy]

I told her to apply. We'll talk at length about financial plans when she's home over Thanksgiving. Thanks for the support, everyone!