So. I just spent almost 1k securing my place for the GYLC, but now I'm second guessing myself. My teacher pulled up a lot of websites and articles saying that it wasn't that great of a program.

I know people who have gone and have enjoyed it, but a looot of places are saying that it's not worth it. I'm really worried now. I haven't payed it in full, no. My parents however are going to kill me if I say I want to back out of it now.

What do you guys think? I'm not doing it for the credentials. I just want to go and have fun. But I also don't want to spend over 4k on something that will turn out to not be worth it. I have a fucking knot in my stomach and a really bad feeling about it now. I don't want to waste money that isn't mine, but I don't want to give something up because of negative hear-say and find out later that I just breezed past a great opportunity.

I looked it up before and there were a lot of good reviews, so I was very pumped about it. Looking it up again, I find it may not be as peachy as I thought. Help me ;o; What do you guys think I should do about this?

And I'm finding out how much of what I've paid I can get back now. I just paid a few days ago, so I swear if they say I can't get it back when I haven't gotten, anything I'm gonna be pissed.

So I can get the majority of my money back if I do choose to cancel now. All except the original 450 downpayment, which
1. Seems like bullshit
2. Means that my parents will murder me


But the question is: do I listen to the monetary-inspired reviews of adults who don't agree with the company's business practices... or do I listen to the reviews of those who have legitimately gone and said it was worth it?

I'm also worried, though, because some reviews have said that there is not anywhere near as much supervision as they claim there is. I don't really want to be strutting around DC without some kind of escort.



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Fuck this shit.


Why does everything that seems like a great opportunity have to turn out to be something so fucking controversial?

You have to balance the risks and the possible outcomes.

Risks:
Wasting 1k+ (probably bad since most people can't afford to just drop that on the spot) if it doesn't turn out well.
Pissed of parents if you pullout.
If you pullout, you might miss a great oppurtunity. If you don't, you may be in for a bad time.

Possible Outcomes:
Negative
-Wasting your time
-Doing something you hate
Positive
-Doing something you love
-Experiencing something fantastic
-Making an impact

I say pullout and find something else to do, something your more sure of, due to the fact that you only want to do this for fun and don't seem so serious about it all (no offense) and that you're going to risk a large sum of money.
However, if money turns out not to be an issue, go for it, since it's a risk worth taking with less harsh implications.

I normally don't spend this much, and our family doesn't really have it. We're pulling it from other sources. I generally don't get to do anything that costs more than ten dollars, so when my family finally pulled together and got the money for this, I was really excited.

I've been invited to a lot which were clearly scams, but the people who went actually -liked- this one. A lot of people said it made an impact on them and helped them decide what they want to do. You get to go to a lot of places and do a lot of things that I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise (my parents would never put the money into this if I was doing this trip in pieces with just friends, you know?).

I am very serious about it. I have been for the past year and a half - since back when I was first invited. I think it will be a great experience, but it's so expensive, and I worry that it's going to turn out to be scam. I mean, again, almost everyone that went said it was amazing, but I'm a fucking worry wart and my teacher's skepticism is making me worry even more.

I know that, even if I don't go, this kind of money wouldn't be put towards anything else that I'm interested in. My family doesn't work that way. I mean, I didn't even get an xbox until this year because they refused to get me one even when we had the money for it. My personal interests never get paid for, and this is the first event that my family wants to put anything towards (it took them a year and a half to actually think about it seriously =_=). So I know I'll never get a chance at a similar opportunity.

But people are saying it's a bad organization in general and now I'm worried. Fuck me.

>>3 It could be worth it to THEM, but not to you. You have to think how it can benefit you and think about what you.

Personally... I'm thinking that you shouldn't go for it. Seems like so much of a risk for something that can ultimately not be worth it and end up screwing you over. Plus... it seems like something that overall isn't worth it since it claims to teach skills that are already simplistic and common practice. All I can see it being worth is the oppurtunity to make friends and being able put this on your transcripts.

>>6 Why wouldn't it be worth it to me? And it's not worth putting on transcripts; most colleges don't take it seriously. I want to go for the experience (the people, places, etc.) and the lessons (there are a ton of interesting political panels that they are supposed to have).

I like to learn, so I like that kind of thing. It seems like something that I would enjoy. I'm just second guessing myself and don't know if I should spend that much money on something that is being looked down on by other groups, even if it is the only chance I have at doing something interesting before the end of high school.

>>5 I can totally understand how you feel...

...

... Go for it. I'm not sure what is in store... but go for this. You can always go for the experiences and who knows what'll happen. That's a part of life and a risk you have to be willing to take.

Alright, so I thought it over for a while, and my mom and I discussed it, and I'm still going to do it. I have plenty of time to change my mind anyway.