I see London, I see France... No, REALLY!
 

OK, so i skipped my arts abroad from school to go on a cruise with some fine young people from this board, and I am very much looking forward to it. But as for the school trip, I come to find out today that instead of their original plans with Prague and Athens, it has been changed to Paris, and London of course, as they choose London to begin with every year. The trip is good for 3 credits, and it's two weeks long. Now, the plane from Paris is due to arrive in Newark on the 15th of January, which is when the boat leaves from Florida for the cruise. However the trip is really flexible, and students can invite anyone to come along, as well as go early and/or/leave early. My professor, trying to convince me that the trip is worthwhile (and it's also very popular) was telling me he would work somethign out credit wise, and allow me to leave early, and get back in time for the cruise, either A: In newark Airport. or B: Straight to Florida.

The trip to Europe would be covered by my left over grant money, and thus be rather affordable. But this, combined with the cruise is nearly 3 weeks of travleing. Think it's a good idea? Or is Europe not all its made up to be? If you have been to Paris or London, what did you think of it? Is it worth all the traveling?

Well I have never travelled to Europe, although I think it would be a great experiance. My only concern would be when your flight to NJ or Florida would be, due to the chance of bad weather in January. We would hate to see you miss the cruise due to a delayed flight....

- Justin

I could leave a couple days earlier, and make a bit more time there for any troubles. But that is a big concearn. This was Rife's idea, so, go figure. But his wife and whitney are going on the trip and they have to leave early as well because whitney has to get back in school on the 15th. So depending on when they leave, it might make things easier. But this is merely an idea at this point.

Figures he would be the one trying to talk you into it.... :)

If you can get a flight back on friday or saturday and still get credit, that would be really cool!

- Justin

I would say definitely go to europe. It's not every day you can get a trip to be covered by grant money, and thus, essentially free. I wish I could have a trip like that. Three weeks of travel is a lot, but I think you can handle it.

i've been on 2 trips to england/france and 1 to just england. they were all with a high school or college trip. i defiantly think it's worth all the traveling! both london and paris are beautiful and classic places to go. now that i'm out of college, i realize how much harder it is to take vacation time to travel for more than a week at a time. you get 3 credits out of it, and then you can put on a resume that you studied abroad. even though you will have major jet lag and be exhausted by the end, you should defiantly do it! do it now while you have the opportunity to!

:werd: do all of us that cant do it a favor and go for it! I'd KILL for that kind of opportunity and here you have it thrown right at you. I think its pretty obvious how I feel, have fun Liz! :D

i think you would have to get home at least a day and a half early, or else your cruise would be ruined by the transatlantic jetlag

i heard paris sucks, despite all the hype. im kinda mad at myself cuz i had the chance last year to go to germany with my german class (from highschool) but it was a grand and i didnt have the money :-/ i say go for it liz

you will kick yourself in the ass for the rest of your life if you don't go. any opportunity to experience other cultures should be embraced.

after a 2 hour nap, i felt no jet lag at all. i slept on the plane, too. how can you not? it's over 8 hours long...

I went to germany, austria and switzerland. It was an awesome trip.

The fact that its partically paid for and you will get school credit is even better.

Actually, London and Paris are prolly less than 8 hours. It's 8 to Rome from Newark, and Italy is further east and south. I think my wife said it took her 6 hours to London when she went in college.

If it were me, I'd get them to change venues and go see the artwork in Rome and Venice. Italy's better! :D

You guys have a cruise booked for Jan next year already? Is it a special occasion cruise? If not, why not change the cruise or is it during break? You should definitely go to England and France.

Yup, cruise was selected two weeks after we came back from this year's cruise, and it was booked last week. Can't change the date, we have a group booking for 25 cabins and 58 people. Plus the group always goes the week of MLK's b-day, that way many people can save a vacation day.

- Justin

if you scheduled a flight to leave in the evening of the 13th i can't really see you not being in florida on time for a cruise on teh 15th. that way you would only really miss 1 day.
it sounds like a great opportunity. hopefully it can be worked out so that you can do both.

go to europe

Hell yeah, you gotta go. You are gunna be tired as hell from the jet lag, but I agree, well worth it. Ive been to Italy, and just staying in the Alps was amazing.

its only 6 hour change, she wont bt that tired from jet lag.

Meh, she will be running around in Europe, and then have to come back. Now if she can take a plane to Europe to Florida, thats gunna be a lot longer then 6 hrs. And if she takes a plane back to Newark, and then from Newark to Florida in a matter of a day, shes gunna be tired.
I dont think that taking a plan right to Florida is a good idea, cause then you would have to pack for 2 trips.

yeah, and the climates will be completely different. you might get away with three bags: one bag will hold all of your staple stuff that you can use in either climate and then the other two bags will be one for each climate. i don't know about boats, but planes still have a two bag limit, plus carry on. how to swap out the climate sensitive bags would be the key.

anyway, that's assuming you have little time between flight/boat. otherwise, take a day to chill and swap bags at home.

i agree with tpi monte ss... **** london and paris, hit up italy.

i lived in london for 5 years, and italy for 7. london is more of the go to a bar and get drunk culture, not too sure about how much fun it is. paris would be more chill, more walking around the city at night, hitting up some bars, and then a club or two, less hectic. definitely fun and worth your while. as everyone else said, you will really regret not going, it is the chance of a lifetime.

go.

go. i'm studying in france next spring. we can be france buddies.

Been to both Paris and London. London is better except the weather kinda sucks. Paris was pretty dirty. The food in both places is not great (Paris a little better) and the serving sizes are about half of what you get in the US. Probably why we have so many overweight people haha. But either place would be a great adventure for you.

I've been to both London and Paris. We stayed over in London for 4 days and then took a cruise over to Paris for the last 3 days.

London was straight up AWESOME. It was one of the best and most fun trips of my life. For the couple days I was there me and my friends had a blast. People were easy to talk to and hang out with. There were people depressed we had to leave. It was great you could just hop on their subway and end up anywhere and head out and meet good people. We also took trips out to various castles. I got lost in a hedgemaze. Good old Big Ben. The Roman Baths were amazing. I conquered the French (A funny story). Stonehenge! Smaller in person than I thought it would be. I'm dying to go back there again.

Paris was less exciting. The people weren't nearly as much fun. I guess because obviously I didn't speak any french so it was hard to get around as easy. That and they act real wierd around you and kinda smell funny. But the sights were awesome. Its a beautiful place. One of the highlights was going to the Louvre. There is tons of amazing stuff all over the place there. While i'm not too big into arts the paintings and things they had there were awesome. Code of Hammurabi - First written code of law. Venus De Milo. Mona Lisa. Tons of other stuff too. We also hit Notre Dame Cathedral which was was an amazing sight.

Also the view off the top of the Eiffel tower at night is priceless.

I'd say you are nuts if you don't go on this trip. I would in a heartbeat. I've been meaning to go back myself.