I've been on a couple of trips abroad with my parents, but I think you can get a good exposure to *reality* without leaving the U.S., too ... especially if you're having to pay your own way!
I've been on a couple of trips abroad with my parents, but I think you can get a good exposure to *reality* without leaving the U.S., too ... especially if you're having to pay your own way!
This foreigner thinks otherwise. I love America, but there is something obvious to foreigners but not many Americans is that the unity and common heritage of Americans, between Noam Chomsky and Ronald Reagan for instance, is much greater than the difference. There are some things which tie the country as the United States.
If you come to New Zealand and stay for a week, you will quickly be struck with the idea of being foreign everywhere - from sports, food, culture, politics, social interactions, work vs life, etc. There is such a world that is very different from the US even we may speak the same language, and a trip here will make you appreciate what America has and this sense of appreciation will never be earned if you stay within the US border.