I am a 20 year-old American, diminutive, Asian male science graduate
student. I'd like to have a fun vacation this summer in an organized
setting, preferably in the US or possibly any other Western country (I
am fairly risk averse). Unfortunately, due to the nature of graduate
schools, I don't really know anyone at all. Most structured tours,
getaways, etc. assume that you are bringing people to socialize with,
and therefore there is not much "new" socializing. I imagine that
these programs would be a lonely experience for me.
What I want is some kind of camp/program that has the following properties:
0) For older teens (18-20?) [as opposed to the 20-something group].
1) It is fairly structured [e.g. not just randomly wandering around Europe].
2) Participants typically do not come with other people.
3) People are fairly social.
4) Is neither formally nor implicitly religious.
5) Is neither formally nor implicitly dating-centric.
6) Participants are perhaps a little more introverted than extroverted
(not the party-going type). This explicitly excludes the type of
people typically found in American hostels [buff european fratboys?].
7) Must be fun. I am open to most anything, as long as it does not
require prior experience.
8) Fairly long. At least 2 weeks or so.
9) Not primarily marketed towards hippies, or other alternative types.
I simply am not one of them.
Financial cost is not really a concern.
If I was Taiwanese, I could probably do the "love boat" program. If I
was Christian, I could probably go to some kind of retreat.
Unfortunately, I am neither, and so do not know where to look.
I have seen the Green Tortoise bus trips, and they seem nice, except
that it would involve being without toilets and showers, and I would
imagine that the people there are likely to be significantly different
from me in ways that would lead to conflict. I am not a hippy.
Example of something that would be "ideal": A month-long structured
vacation in Hawaii where people my age go learn how to surf, and don't
bring friends. |
