Well I dropped out of the Art Institute because I'm waisting money, (Sad when you have to teach PS to the teachers) I have connections with major modeling agencies here.
Besides the point.
I'm 20 and I got asked by an internationally known photographer & retoucher of several books to come to a huge conference in NYC and be one of her assistances (approx 3-5 others), but I will be assisting her in a room of 50-60 individuals.
So I get to go to this conference for free and assist for a couple days, but also get to go to NYC for the first time.
=)