I'm 13yrs,8th grade, in the U.S.A.I am an excellent student, I babysit, and I am very responsible.I got an invitation to attend a People To People Student Ambassadors program because of my leadership skills and academic excellence. At first I thought it would be in Europe, and my parents wouldn't let me go. Then I found out it it is Australia. They still won't let me go. They say while I am under 18 years old, I am not traveling to another country. I wanted to travel to every continent by the time I apply to college at 18 years old.
They say I can't go because of the cost and world terrorism. I said I can get sponsors-my mom says she wants me to just focus on school and not have to worry about getting sponsors. I said I was willing to take the risk of getting hurt-my dad said he refused to hear another word about it. I've tried bringing it up several times. It ends the same way-with me and my parents fighting. Why are they being this way and how can I convince them to let me go?
2007-11-11 12:13:14 · 6 answers · asked by Sweets911 1 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
Your parents have yet to face the fact that you are growing up. They still think of you as their baby, not as an almost grown up person. I had the same problem with my mother. When I applied for an exchange program when I was 15 (I wanted to study abroad for a year), she was not supportive. I practically heard the same things from her that you are hearing from your parents now. I OTOH had the significant advantage that my mother knew how important it was for me to learn another language aside from German (my native language). She thus had no qualms to send me to summer school abroad to the UK for 2 weeks when I was 14 (ok, I grated on her nerves for about a year and a half about it) and it was a trip organised by a local youth group.
So the one thing that may sway your parents is that going on this exchange program will be good for your career. It is the one point that they cannot deny. Just think about how good it would look on your application for college. If you really got picked for your academic excellence, they also cannot blame you for not focusing enough on school. What is focusing on school supposed to get you? If you want to go to one of the top ten universities in the US, you need that exchange. Make that absolutely clear.
What I also think you must do is to sit down with them and have a calm and reasonable argument about the potential risks. You said you were willing to take the risk of getting hurt - not a smart move. It implies that there is a risk in going to Australia that is greater than stepping out of your front door. What you need to do is to argue on the point that you could get hit by a car tomorrow and that the risk of that will not increase by going to Australia. Neither will the risk of you contracting cancer, breaking your leg, etc. The only risk increase is by boarding an aeroplane - you add the very low risk of getting hurt in a airplane crash to your life's risks. And if you have flown before, the point is moot, as your parents have already exposed you to that. Use logic, statistics and reason. World terrorism for example is world terrorism - why shouldn't something happen in the next big city just at the moment you are shopping there? Above all, stay calm. You sound like a smart kid, you can pull it off.
Another tip I have is bringing in another relative or a friend of the family on your behalf. Have them rave to your parents what a great opportunity this is for you and how they wished they could have had this etc.
Hope this helped a bit. If all else fails, work your **** off to save as much money as you can. When you are 18 and have graduated from highschool, take a year off and tour the world before you go to college.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Gap_year_travel
http://wikitravel.org/en/RTW
http://wikitravel.org/en/Urban_backpacking
http://wikitravel.org/en/List_of_itineraries
2007-11-11 12:59:18 · answer #1 · answered by t_maia2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can certainly understand your frustration. It sounds like an opportunity for a great and rewarding experience. Having said that, I am sorry to say that, as a parent, I would be freaking out if my 13 year old son was trying to get me to agree to this. You sound very intelligent so I would like you to put yourself in their shoes. I hadn't even thought of terrorism. What I thought about was kidnapping, rape and murder. I realize that there would be adult supervision but I am sure you read enough to know that some adults you think are trustworthy are not. If my child was that far away from me I would feel so out of control that I could not function.
In a few years (when you're 30, j/k), if you have proven yourself trustworthy, you might try working it out with them again. You will have gained some experience with people and may be able to see through the crud that some adults will try to get by you. Sorry to sound so parental.
2007-11-11 12:54:21 · answer #2 · answered by ez_keel 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Young Lady!! At 13 years old there are a lot of things that a person your age would love to do. Apparently one thing you haven't learned is to listen to your parents. Skills and academic excellence do not give you the right to be a constant " pain in the neck". If your parents feel you are not mature enough, they got it right by the way you are acting when you do not get your way. So !! Shape up!! What you should get is a sharp whack across the rump. That should get your attention!!
2007-11-11 12:32:30 · answer #3 · answered by googie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hi: i'm all grown up now yet i develop into on your shoes whilst i develop into 14 years old. some mother and father are old school from the old international places and consequently they the place suggested that way. the only advise i ought to grant you is get the girls mom (who's having the party to call your mom). perhaps your mom or her mom can %. you up after the birthday bash. that's what I did as my mother and father have been old school and you should abide by utilising their regulations considering the fact which you're underage and nonetheless living at abode. mothers are protecting of their babies only like another animals.
2016-09-29 01:12:55 · answer #4 · answered by chappel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're a little young. your parents' excuse about terrorism is dumb.
2014-07-23 06:59:50 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you are a little young...i'm going to something like that next year but i am 2 years older than you. your parents just want to protect you. maybe when your older your can go.
2007-11-11 12:52:46 · answer #6 · answered by ς.S. Haida 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋