Star Wars: Study Abroad in a Galaxy Far, Far, Away

Secure this area until the alert is canceled. Give me regular reports. Do you know what's going on? Maybe it's another drill. What was that? Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.

Obi-Wan Kenobi...Obi-Wan? Now thats a name I haven't heard in a long time...a long time. I think my uncle knew him. He said he was dead. Oh, he's not dead, not...not yet. You know him! Well of course, of course I know him. He's me! I haven't gone by the name Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born. Then the droid does belong to you. Don't seem to remember ever owning a droid. Very interesting... I think we better get indoors. The Sandpeople are easily startled but they will soon be back and in greater numbers. Threepio! Where am I? I must have taken a bad step... Can you stand? We've got to get out of here before the Sandpeople return. I don't think I can make it. You go on, Master Luke. There's no sense in you risking yourself on my account. I'm done for. No, you're not. What kind of talk is that? Quickly, son...they're on the move.

That malfunctioning little twerp. This is all his fault! He tricked me into going this way, but he'll do no better. Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm saved! Over here! Help! Please, help! Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!

There she is. See-Threepio, do you copy? For the moment. Uh, we're in the main hangar across from the ship. We're right above you. Stand by. You came in that thing? You're braver that I thought. Nice! Come on! It's them! Blast them! Get back to the ship! Where are you going? Come back! He certainly has courage. What good will it do us if he gets himself killed? Come on! I think we took a wrong turn. There's no lock! That oughta hold it for a while. Quick, we've got to get across. Find the control that extends the bridge. Oh, I think I just blasted it. They're coming through! Here, hold this. Here they come! For luck!

He says he's found the main computer to power the tractor beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor. The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave. I don't think you boys can help. I must go alone. Whatever you say. I've done more that I bargained for on this trip already. Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch over the droids. But he can...

First and foremost, I would like to respectfully disagree with one of the reviews of this program entitled, "Yoda is a jerk". Of all of the various Jedi Masters at the academy, Yoda was actually the kindest and, surprising, the most well-spoken. Clearly the reviewer bought into the surface persona that Yoda projects and did not delve deeper.

My frustration was with the blind stupidity of the other so-called "masters" who were shocked at the fact that the power-hungry Jedi ended up being evil. Seriously?! Come on guys, we all know greed paves the road to the dark side. Let's not be like that architect who built a massive flaw in the Death Star and then hoped no one would notice.

However, Yoda clued into this. He even specifically told Anakin that the "fear of loss is a path to the dark side." Another point for Yoda.

The main reason that I am so attached to Yoda is that he knew the moment I arrived that I would not last in the academy. Looking up to Han Solo as my idol did not prepare me for the mundane aspects of learning to control the Force.

Midway through this year-long study abroad, Yoda took me aside and recommended that I switch programs. He could tell my heart just was not in it and that toughing the year out would just lead me to the dark side. He even submitted my transfer papers and surprised me with a spot on the Millennium Falcon.

He knew that my heart's desire was to return to the experiences of episode 4 (the TRUE episode 1) and leave a situation that had fast become my Jar Jar Binks.

Written by Andrew

I spent my formative years dreaming of becoming a Jedi Master. Luke, Obi-Wan, Yoda, they were all my idols, and yes I collected their action figures. I wanted to fight the Dark Side and bring balance back to the galaxy. You can then probably imagine my excitement when I was offered the chance to study abroad on Tatooine with the Jedi Council!!! Amazing!

Let me be the first to tell you that this training course is tough!! In the space of a montage you'll be expected to wield a lightsaber and lift an entire X-Wing out of a sand pit. But I can't argue that this tough training didn't produce results.

The highlight of the semester was definitely taking on a rancor!! Yeap, we chopped that bad boy up. Unfortunately my partner Frankie lost his arm, but the medical staff had a prosthetic installed in no time.

The locals were an interesting group... Not very friendly, but they warmed up after a few Corellian ales. FYI, if you have a droid don't bring it to the bars! We learned that the hard way.

This will go down as one of the best experiences of my life! I met the most amazing people and I'm now pursing a Master's degree in Jedi Studies. Can't recommend this program enough!

I'm happy I did this program. Being a Padawan Learner was awesome and Luke is the coolest. I loved the Jedi trials and building my lightsaber was awesome. But you'd be surprised how rude Yoda can be off camera. He was so mean to us, and for no good reason. He reminded me of an ornery grandpa taking out his bad day on the neighborhood kids. He'd always make us clean his room, but he'd say it in a way that really confused us. Something like, "Room cleaning you should do. Mine, now, yes." What the heck is that supposed to mean?! Sometimes he'd even trip some of us with his cane. I know he's really powerful and everything, but he didn't beat either Dooku or Sidious, so maybe he's not as amazing as everyone thinks.

Overall, I'd really recommend this program. Try and make sure that you're placed in the Cloud City cohort instead of the Tatooine cohort. It's a really big difference and they have ton-ton meat in Cloud City. Good luck!

PS- Yes, Wookie fur is just as soft as it looks.