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Miss Mabel


Kenneth Cole

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Just trying to get some general feedback on an idea I'm kicking around. Anyone want to share an opinion?

I'd like to move to Italy for a bit - I just love the country, and would like to develop my skills with the language (which are conversastional and probably will remain such as long as I live in the U.S.). I could probably manage to take a leave of absence from my job and maybe live there for three months - six if I could book good contract work.

My other option is to go to school there. The only school I'd consider putting money into is in Milan. They have a one-year MBA program. I've thought in the past about getting an MBA, but I don't technically need it (I already have an MS). The MBA is a very marketable degree though, and certainly would help me diversify in my career, which is always good. The main problem with this is that the program is pretty expensive - about 35,000 euros. This amount would push my total student loan debt to almost $100,000. On the other hand, I've never been to worried about my student loan debt - I just assume I'll be paying on it until I die. And I don't have any other major debt. The second problem is that the program is pretty damn competitive, so I'd probably have to invest a fair amount of time (and possibly money) in preparing for the tests, etc.

So. If you were in my shoes, which option would you pursue?

-- Edited by Miss Mabel at 22:01, 2008-02-05

-- Edited by Miss Mabel at 22:02, 2008-02-05

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Teresa


Kate Spade

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dont you teach at the university level? would you be able to take a sebatical? (sp?)

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Miss Mabel


Kenneth Cole

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collegegirl5858 wrote:

dont you teach at the university level? would you be able to take a sebatical? (sp?)





I do, but I don't teach full time. I work full-time as an editor, and just teach a class here and there. No paid sabbatical for me (are sabbaticals ever paid?).

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ILoveChoo


Hermes

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I say just go. You don't need the excuse of being in an MBA program. And you'll probabaly enjoy your time there and get a lot more out of it if you actually have time to see the country and immerse yourself in it on a level other than an academic one- especially if its a really competitive program, it might almost be a waste of the opportunity if you spend your entire time studying.

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Marc Jacobs

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I'd definitely go with option number 1. Save up, take a leave of absence from work, find a house or apartment to rent and maybe a language class to enroll in, and stay for 3-6 months. If you really love it there you can work out a more long-term option later on.

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Teresa


Kate Spade

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Miss Mabel wrote:

collegegirl5858 wrote:

dont you teach at the university level? would you be able to take a sebatical? (sp?)






I do, but I don't teach full time. I work full-time as an editor, and just teach a class here and there. No paid sabbatical for me (are sabbaticals ever paid?).
lol, i suppose that would be a good question now, wouldn't it? btw, I agree with ilovechoo



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Carrie Bradshaw: The fact is, sometimes it's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes. That's why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun.
Suasoria


Chanel

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I agree with "just go" without the degree program.

Some friends of mine have been considering a home exchange program where they'd trade houses with an Italian family for the summer. I believe they're looking at Rome specifically. Would something like that be an option for you? If you like I can ask them for more details.

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Kel


Coach

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I say just go. You don't need the degree program, just go experience living in Italy.

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littlebean


Kate Spade

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"Just go"! I like the ideas of a language course/temporary work and a house swap. I never think it makes sense to invest the money in a graduate degree if it's not something that you really want (or need) to do.

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erin


Chanel

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i vote option 1, too!

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gingembre1


Kate Spade

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I've done option number one...Went to South America for almost 3 months, took a leave of absence, and had the best time of my life.  I took about a month of Spanish and tango classes, which broke up the traveling a bit, and really made us feel like we got to know the city and the culture.

I would definitely recommend taking a class or two, just to meet people and explore the culture a bit.  One thing to consider, though, is you may get to the end of 3 months and discover you don't want to leave any time soon.  The friend that I went with ended up staying an extra 3 months after I left, and I would have if I hadn't had to be home for a wedding. 



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rlutz


Chanel

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I say go with option one!

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