College or travel?

BazaVamp

Hi im new to this so dont know if its in the right place.
I'm 21 in september and have reached a crossroad in my life and don't no which direction to go, and im looking for advice off the people who have done it. Should I travel and see the world, or go to college and get a degree.

I've always wanted to travel, and I've always wanted to be a game design artist. I have completed a year course in game design and finished one of the top of my class. I have an interveiw for a 4 year course in digital animation in tipperary, but can only afford to do it if I can get a grant. I am still a little unsure on what I want to do but defently want to be in the games industry.
My parents think I should travel before I settle on a course and take loans out because its what ive always talked about doing. They recon if I go to college now ill be stuck with student loans, might not like what I do, and be stuck in the country trying to pay off debths, and ill never travel. They said i should travel and I might find something I really like, maby meet new poeple, then come back as a mature student and go to college.

What do you recommend? Who has traveled and what do you think? How did you get on? And has anybody gone to college and regreted not traveling?
Thanks in advance.
Sorry for the long post.

Firstly, check studentfinance.ie to see if it's likely you'd get the grant or not.

If a grant seems likely, do the interview. If the interview goes well and you get in, I'd recommend going to college.

If grant seems unlikely, or you don't do well in the interview, go travelling.

I'm in my third year of college and never travelled. I don't regret it. Not because I don't want to travel, but because I feel I'll have plenty of time once I've finished my undergraduate degree. Other friends of mine who have finished their degrees are living in LA and Madrid, and they're also happy that they finished their undergraduate before travelling. Further degrees like a masters or a PhD can be left for when the travelling is done. Either way you'll have debt, but if you do college first then you'll have that under your belt for when you go away. Who knows, you could even find some short work experiences as you travel, a week here, a week there if there are companies that will have you.

BazaVamp

thanks very much for the advice. I think your right, sure it can't hurt to do the interview anyways, thanks again.