A decision to make

At school yesterday, we were told that we could opt to start on a specialised course in the hotel industry.  The course is a year long and it starts on 7 January until 20 December.  The normal SFI course is 15 hours a week.  For this course, on top of the 15 hours, there will be attachment too, where you work in a hotel for 2 or 3 days a week.  You also need to attend another course that specialises in the hotel industry.  At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate and might also be offered jobs in hotels.

This course sounds very interesting to me.  I know that when I move here, I would want to try a different career.  I want to open my cafe but looking at the progress we're making, it might take a while for that to happen.  Since the course is designed for people who are interested in the service industry, it would be helpful when I finally start my cafe.  Also, this also looks like an opportunity to widen my network here which, in the end would only be good for my future food business.

The thing that is holding me back is the commitment I need to make.  If I take this course, I might not have time to work on starting the business.  What if, in the middle of the course, a good location opens up and I have to quit?  I would feel like I've taken up a space that should have gone to another more suitable person.  There is a class limit of 25 so there could be people who could be turned away. 

Also, if I am on this course, I would not be able to visit my home at all next year.  I was hoping to be able to go back there in August with Pete.  But if I do this, I don't think I would be able to take leave to fly back home.  Then, there is also the fact that I am not aiming to work in a hotel.  But if I don't take this up, what if I don't get to start my cafe next year?  Then I'm left with no job.  Would I rather have a job first and slowly build up my food business?  Or do I want to just concentrate on opening my cafe?

Hmmm....Lots of things to think about.  At least I have some time to think about it, so Pete and I can take our time to discuss and decide.