Is this the Right path for me?

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hi, Next year i will be a Junior at college for Marine Biology, now I love marine biology, it is everything and always has been. I adore it. It is my life's love. But, Next year im thinking of taking a year off college, and travel. I want to see south america, mexico, africa asia, russia, germany poland (ive seen western europe) I never really got to experiance life. It was always school, and as many of you have read in my other thread in the relationships, you all know im on the rocks sort of with my father, and i have no idea how he'll take it (this is my rebel year im guessing) Ive never lied to my parents and i dont intent on doing so now, but is it wise to take off a year and come back later and actually experiance the world around me, or just stick to the plan and keep going, I dont feel like being like following the same path. My parents were born, raised and live in the same city (hell the same neighborhood) all their lives. My father thought I was crazy when i wanted to leave for college, and my mother regrets never traveling every day of her life. So, After all that, Would traveling be a valuable experiance for me?

Does your college offer courses in other countries? I know with my college you can basically travel anywhere for course credit. It's really up to you what to do, nobody can make that decision for you. However, my opinion would be to finish college first and then travel. Sometimes once people take time off from their studies it's hard to get back to them.

I traveled after I finished college. What Amanda suggested is an option. I would recommend travelling after college. You will be older and wiser and hopefully safer.

I don't think there's a single right answer to this, because it depends on you and your situation. I think it is indeed a good idea to travel - it does give you a lot more understanding of the world, and more understanding of what is just local and what is universal. I think it's a good idea to get it in before you are tied down by commitments to work and spouse and family. It's also good to do it young because you have more energy then: travel can be draining. Also, although you have less money, you can cope better with rough conditions, and you get closer to the people and get more experiences if you do things as cheaply as possible.In Britain it has become trendy to take a gap year between school and college. There are advantages and disadvantages in doing it early. You lose the study momentum and study habits, so if you have been studying well and you are not burnt-out, it might be best to wait until you have finished the degree. However, if you have not been studying well there may not be much to lose, and you will come back a year older. My experience is that the older the student, the better they do at college.There's also the question of money and if you have enough. The places you want to go will be mostly much cheaper than Western Europe, but you'll still need some money each day for food and lodging and transport, as well as your general air fares (it sounds like you'll be wanting a round-the-world ticket).Last I heard, BTW, (which was a very long time ago) there were far more marine biologists than there were jobs in marine biology. It might be wise to make some serious enquiries.

I have a job lined up already for when i leave college, to the day. And money isnt a problem. (its sort of a jurnalism/marine bilogy job) While it will be on the ocean (research vessil) It will only stop where its based. Thank you so much for your insight Ineligible It really helped

How about traveling this summer, and maybe next summer, then finishing school, and then traveling some more, if you like, when you graduate?

You've gotten thoughtful replies!Examine your motivation. Are you trying to run away from something?

Well if it were me i would finish school first. Im finishing up my second year of college, going for finance....and what i would love more than anything in the world is to go to Italy. But i mean i just dont have the time, between work n school im booked, which you can relate to. I'm thinking however of goin to Italy next summer, but then again im thinking of taking some summer classes to lol geez iono what to do. Hell why am i trying to give you advice when im confused on my own.

rotfl I know exactly how you feel, im finishing my second year as well, thank you all so much for the help