Project GO

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cb7893

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Dec 6, 2011
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DS just called and told me he was accepted into Project GO, to study Russian this summer. Sounds great to me.

I did a Project GO search on this forum and got nothing.

Does anyone have knowledge of the program, incites, words of caution, etc.

Thanks in adavance.
 
If you haven't already checked it, the program's website is quite informative. I'm sorry I don't have any first-hand knowledge to share, but I'll bet someone one on this forum will be along to help you out.

http://www.rotcprojectgo.org/
 
I saw the website and it looks like a great program.

Before I give the DS a total blessing (which he wants but won't ask for), I was hoping to find some first hand accounts.

I am very sceptical of "study abroad" programs in general. They are often glorified vacations, without providing a truly rigorous learning experience. I trust Cadet Command to choose wisely which program to support.
 
cb7893 said:
I saw the website and it looks like a great program.

Before I give the DS a total blessing (which he wants but won't ask for), I was hoping to find some first hand accounts.

I am very sceptical of "study abroad" programs in general. They are often glorified vacations, without providing a truly rigorous learning experience. I trust Cadet Command to choose wisely which program to support.
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I did a study abroad to China through Project Go this past summer, and I can assure you it is definitely not an opportunity your DS would want to miss. First of all, you are sort of right, a study abroad is basically a glorified vacation, but as someone who has been through it I can assure you that it isn't a negative thing. I not only took classes in Chinese, but also traveled throughout China seeing first hand how life is there, and of course practicing what I learned in class in a real world setting.

Sure a study abroad class may not be as "rigorous" as a normal class, but if you put more effort in you get more out of it. Language courses aren't like math courses, where you just memorize a formula and you know it, you have to go out and practice constantly to improve your speech and what better way is there than being able to speak to actual native speakers on a 24/7 basis. Also you not only learn the language but the culture behind the language as well.

I really can't say enough good things about doing study abroads in general, but seriously Project GO pays for a majority, if not in full, for the trip, and your DS has little to no obligation afterwards (I just had to take a test afterwards to see if my language skills improved). Not to mention your DS will be learning the culture and language of a country that the US government deems critically important. This is definitely an opportunity every ROTC cadet should take.

If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me or continue posting here.
 
cire said:
I did a study abroad to China through Project Go this past summer, and I can assure you it is definitely not an opportunity your DS would want to miss. First of all, you are sort of right, a study abroad is basically a glorified vacation, but as someone who has been through it I can assure you that it isn't a negative thing. I not only took classes in Chinese, but also traveled throughout China seeing first hand how life is there, and of course practicing what I learned in class in a real world setting.

Sure a study abroad class may not be as "rigorous" as a normal class, but if you put more effort in you get more out of it. Language courses aren't like math courses, where you just memorize a formula and you know it, you have to go out and practice constantly to improve your speech and what better way is there than being able to speak to actual native speakers on a 24/7 basis. Also you not only learn the language but the culture behind the language as well.

I really can't say enough good things about doing study abroads in general, but seriously Project GO pays for a majority, if not in full, for the trip, and your DS has little to no obligation afterwards (I just had to take a test afterwards to see if my language skills improved). Not to mention your DS will be learning the culture and language of a country that the US government deems critically important. This is definitely an opportunity every ROTC cadet should take.

If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me or continue posting here.
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Sounds great.

He would going to Kazan, Russia. He is very pumped.

He was hoping to return home vis Trans Siberian RR via Mongolia and flying out of Beijing. Would they give him that freedom if he is willilng to pay the exgtra transportation costs?

Thanks for your thorough reply.

BTW He did a gap year in Taiwan, but was unable to visit PRC. He is itching to put his Chinese to some use.
 
cb7893 said:
Sounds great.

He would going to Kazan, Russia. He is very pumped.

He was hoping to return home vis Trans Siberian RR via Mongolia and flying out of Beijing. Would they give him that freedom if he is willilng to pay the exgtra transportation costs?

Thanks for your thorough reply.

BTW He did a gap year in Taiwan, but was unable to visit PRC. He is itching to put his Chinese to some use.
Click to expand...

That actually sounds like a lot of fun!

In response to your question: Every program is different, but I see no reason why they would restrict your DS from travelling how he wants after the program has ended. Just make sure his travel arrangements are made for the "exit city" of the program (the last city the group goes to before departing back home), for my group it was Shanghai. After my program ended, I met up with my parents in Nanjing and spent a few weeks there, while the rest of the group went their separate ways.

Just for clarification if you didn't know, Project GO is pretty much just funding the study abroad, they don't put any extra restrictions or make you go through additional training, it is a normal (funded!!) study abroad.

The best person to ask about specifics of your particular study abroad is the study abroad advisor.
 
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