It sounds like a good plan for one year. Vietnam/Hanoi has a decent tech start-up scene, as well as Argentina. Encourage him to maybe do some CS work even if he is paid off-the-books or very little just to keep his skills sharp.

Surprised he didn't talk to one of the companies that gave an offer and ask about deferring the start date for a year. Maybe he just wasn't super excited about the offers.

I think it sounds great: he has a plan, he has the money for that plan, and he knows he can easily get a job when he gets back. Good for him!

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the earlier posters. I'd be thrilled if some of the young adults in my life were this focused and organized, and realized that now is the time to do something fun!

I completely agree. OP's son graduated early, so that saved OP one semester of tuition, room and board. He uses his own money to fund his adventure, so more power to him. Not many 22 years old can save 3K, let alone 50K from three previous internships.

I've been to both Vietnam, Argentina and Brazil many times, and he will be fine there. In Vietnam, you can join a expensive gym, like Equinox here in the US, for $60/month vs. $320/month at Equinox here in the United States. Healthcare in Vietnam is much cheaper there than in the US and just as good as the US and he can purchase travel/health insurance in Vietnam as well. His 50K will allow him to live in luxury in Vietnam for at least two years, especially when he travels with three other friends. He picks a perfect time in his life to do this. He has the right idea to work on his physical appearance and to become the best version of himself.

He will be a catch for ladies in the US when he comes back, unless the ladies from wealthy families in Vietnam, there are many of them, get a crack at him first.



Best of luck to him. I am jealous.

I agree with the earlier posters. I'd be thrilled if some of the young adults in my life were this focused and organized, and realized that now is the time to do something fun!

I worked love to do this for six months

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can understand for a couple of months but not a full year. I would hate to have him living under my roof while he is perfecting himself. My husband and I worked very hard to put our kids through college and we’d be very direct if one of ours did that.

Us, too. Kids went straight into graduate school or the work force. Perfecting one's body for a year and traveling is not OK. If he had gotten into law school and was deferring for a year, then OK. And I would be seriously worried about his ability to apply and be competitive for a top position after a year out

On the contrary, he is more likely to impress interviewers for grad schools and jobs. That being said, there is a cost of lost opportunity and for a CS grad with good internships, it's probably over $100K for a year.

Anonymous wrote:How will he be taking care of his physical health while in Vietnam and Argentina?

There are doctors and gyms there and its cheaper and pay per visit.

Anonymous wrote:Good for him. He’ll never regret it.

Agreed. Sounds wonderful.

Anonymous wrote:I can understand for a couple of months but not a full year. I would hate to have him living under my roof while he is perfecting himself. My husband and I worked very hard to put our kids through college and we’d be very direct if one of ours did that.

Us, too. Kids went straight into graduate school or the work force. Perfecting one's body for a year and traveling is not OK. If he had gotten into law school and was deferring for a year, then OK. And I would be seriously worried about his ability to apply and be competitive for a top position after a year out

I'm impressed he saved 50 grand doing internships

Jealous!

Great idea. - I would encourage my child to do the same. There is no rush to get a job if you can afford it. This is the time of his life before working.

How will he be taking care of his physical health while in Vietnam and Argentina?

Good for him. He’ll never regret it.

Anonymous wrote:I can understand for a couple of months but not a full year. I would hate to have him living under my roof while he is perfecting himself. My husband and I worked very hard to put our kids through college and we’d be very direct if one of ours did that.

Would you rather him not visit at all until he has a job?