<prompt> Human: Im 20, currently going to be studying abroad twice. I go to a rather expensive private school, but scholarships, grants, and my generous mother take off most of the load. In my first year, I took out 5,500 in federal loans and in my second year I took out 6,000. A little less than half is subsidized, a little over half is unsubsidized. I havent gotten the new financial aid package yet, but I was told that since I wont be able to do work study, Ill probably be granted an extra 2,000 in loans not sure if subsidized or unsubsidized. Doing the math, it look like Ill have about 26,000 in student loans when I graduate. My major is modern languages French and Japanese, with a smidge of Chinese. I dont know what I plan on doing as a career. The next two semesters, Ill be studying abroad in Martinique and Senegal, but Id like to go to Japan as well because my Japanese is at a much lower level, and Im afraid if that I wont continue if Im not so good when I finish school.Ive discussed it with my mom, and shes against it because of the additional costs that go along with study abroad plane tickets, insurance, miscellaneous expenditures that come from not being close to home, etc. Im potentially willing to take out a few thousand dollars 3-4k in private loans, but I realize its not the smartest decision financially speaking. In addition to the added costs of the trip, it would also mean Id definitely stay in school for the full eight semesters. I actually have senior standing and could graduate a semester early if I didnt go to Japan probably a year early if I cut out Senegal. But... I dont really want to leave school. Im not sure I would graduate early even if I didnt go because I really love my school even if the amount of time I want to spend abroad makes it look like the opposite!, and Id like to graduate with my friends. But admittedly, it would save me 7,000 in loans and 10,000 5,000 of my moms money.So, rpersonalfinance, do you think the experience is worth the additional costs? Or should I put Japan on hold?Edit: Oh, and I guess I should add that I have no other debts. I also dont have a car, though, so thats probably a purchase Ill need to make when I graduate. I do have a credit card that Ive been using very regularly for two years and never had a late payment on, so so far at least! Ive been pretty good at controlling my spending. I have about 1000 right now, and will be doing a paid internship from mid-June to the end of August.  <response>: It seems you are bunching up too many choices. From your post it seems like you have a couple of options: Study abroad twice and stay in school for 4 years. Study abroad once and stay in school for 4 years. Study abroad once and graduate in 3.5 years. Not study abroad and graduate in 3 years.These options seem conflicted by the desire to: 1 stay in school as long as possible, 2 study abroad, 3 reduce expenses, and 4 gain valuable experience. I will focus on 4, especially with regards to Japanese:Japanese has little use outside of Japan or with dealing with Japanese companies even then its very limited to mostly native speakers.It is rare to meet someone in Japan that is hired for their native Englishintermediate Japanese you likely wont reach this level even with a study abroad. With one exception: Teaching English. After 1 or 2 years in Japan you could get a job as a recruiter or something similar. Otherwise Japanese is pretty much useless without an additional non-language skill.From a finance perspective and personal life perspective: graduate early and teach English abroad if you are interested in spending some time outside of the US. One study abroad trip is great for personable development, but only until 1 year abroad do you truly become comfortable in the other country. Its not so clear from your post exactly how much an additional semester costs in total your contribution plus your moms, but I am guessing 10k which is a huge amount of money. 