Life Decision.....Need Your Advice!

I have one week to decide where I would like to be placed for my Masters Program Practicum and I am feeling slightly dramatic in a sense that I could make the wrong decision and completely ruin my life (I told you I was feeling dramatic!). Okay, maybe not ruin, but could limit my future career options by not choosing wisely. So, I have decided to use this post as a way to organize my pros and cons as well as to get your votes. I have narrowed it down to three categories. Within those categories I will still have to choose out of multiple agencies/schools, but I'll tackle that one later.

1.) International Placement in Mumbai India or Gaboronte Botswana
Pros:
-How many opportunities will I have to study in another country?
-Social Programs are going to be vastly different in a third world country and it would be fascinating to learn about them.
-I love to travel.
-Having an international emphasis would stand out on my resume.
-Rather than going to school and doing my practicum congruently in the fall I would be able to go to school and work throughout the semester as I would be completing the practicum full time over the summer.
-If I went to India I would get to try real Indian food which I love.
-I imagine I could ride an elephant in both countries.
Cons:
-Extra travel fees in addition to course and practicum costs.
-Paying for an apartment/car/internet/etc. while I'm not here.
-Although not likely, there is always the chance that the school/agency could say they can't accept a new student/my funding could fall through leaving me behind all of my classmates and scrambling to find a Utah agency that would accept me.
-Being away from loved ones for three months.
-Harsh living conditions.
-I won't get the Clinical experience I feel I need.

2.) School Setting (I'm required to do 300 hrs. in a school setting to receive my SW School Counselor Certificate. The full practicum is 600 hrs.)
Pros:
-The idea of being a school social worker was partly what inspired me to go into Social Work in the first place.
-The schedule would be ideal for later on in life. Work during the school year, summers off.
-I worked with teen moms at a High School and absolutely loved it (won't count towards my 300 hours however, already thought of that).
Cons:
-Funding is being cut for schools and they are not required to have a school counselor/social worker so I may not have any positions to pursue when I graduate.
-It is a popular position and therefore very competitive.
-I want to get my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Work. It's required to do therapy) and this position wouldn't prepare me for taking the test.

3.) Clinical Setting
Pros:
-I haven't had any experience in a clinical setting so far and I am going to need the counseling experience.
-Over the years when I picture myself as a Social Worker I continually imagine sitting in an office setting with a client across from me.
-I could see myself doing, and being happy with doing, individual and couple counseling.
Cons:
-Practicum spots are limited and so it is highly competitive.
-Most stressful of the three options.
-To be honest, this one scares me to death. I don't know if I'm ready to be counseling. I guess that is what a practicum is for though.

So far I have feedback from two of my friends at work. Their responses:
Friend #1: You are going to get a whole new experience in India that none of the other students will have. It is only for three months and you have a year to save.
Friend #2: I would choose the most practical one. With the way our economy is right now you would be smart to pick the one that will give you the most options for career choices. This would be in a Clinical Setting. It's broad enough that I could take it anywhere and it would give me all of the skills I am going to need.
So....What do you think?

I FINALLY DID IT!

Okay people, this has been 7 years in the making.

I finally graduated from The University of Utah with a bachelor's in Social Work!!!

A little school history for you, I had originally planned to go to Utah State. I applied, was accepted, put a deposit on an apartment with my friend, and at the last minute decided It wasn't what I wanted to do. I ended up losing my $250 deposit. So, the following semester I began my education at Weber State my first year out of High School. I rarely went to class, met a lot of freakish Ogden boys, and was still stuck in my High School behaviors where I didn't apply myself and didn't really care. I was on a scholarship at the time, lost it, and earned very few transferable credit hours from class. I decided I needed a break. I took a year off and it was excruciating getting me back. Best thing I ever did however. When I started at Salt Lake Community College I was on my own. There was no one paying for me, it didn't affect anyone but me if I went to class or not, and I actually wanted to amount to something. Little Alina was finally growing up. In 2006 I graduated from Salt Lake Community College with an Associates of Science degree and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in Social Work. I am also proud to say that during the course of my education I have always worked full time and during my years at Salt Lake Community College I didn't take out one student loan. It all came straight from my pocket. I didn't receive any financial help from my parents either. My education was truly my own reward.

In December 2008 I graduated from the University of Utah with my degree in Social Work. I couldn't be happier with the career I have chosen. People tell me time and time again, "You're not doing Social Work for the money that's for sure. Ha... Ha...."

I always knew I wanted to do more, and Social Work has been a tremendous outlet for me to do that. I no longer want to "help people" (this is a common phrase that is coined with Social Work). I want to recognize a person's strengths, empower them with information and tools if I can, and watch as they "help" themselves. The world is cynical. If I've learned anything it is that things are truly not what they seem. There are misconceptions everywhere. My hope is that people will step outside their own sheltered box and realize that a teen mother is not always pregnant because she's irresponsible and likes to sleep around, a homeless person is not always "just lazy", and an immigrant is not always here to steal your job and ruin your life. Had to get on my soap box for a minute. Let me know if you want more :)

I also want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me. I couldn't have done it without you! My friend Jen always makes it a point to ask me how school is and how my finals are going. Cory has proof read many papers and has been an amazing sound board to bounce ideas off of. Most important is my Jason. I don't know how he put up with me, but he has been the most supportive. I can recall countless times of him encouraging me to do my homework when all I want to do is play. He has helped me complete take home tests, make flash cards for quizzing, or helped me rehearse for oral presentations. I've even made him go to class with me! But probably the most important, he has stuck by me through what he likes to call "two weeks of hell", at the end of every semester as I study for finals and inevitably turn into a rotten mean person. I love you babe and your support has meant everything to me. I pride myself on completing my education all on my own, but I really didn't. I'm at this place in my life today partly because of you. Thank you love!

Sorry for the long post, but I felt the topic warranted a few lines!