I think the student loan route will be better in that your interest rate will be much better but yeah, definitely look at getting it paid off as quicklu as you can because the current amount on it is enough to seriously affect your financial future if you let it get out of control.

Speaking from experience when I was going thru tough times, I had a $500 credit card that took me literal years to get under control because of the poverty / interest cycle so please do everything you can to avoid this.

You'd best speak to the credit provider but I'd suggest they'll tell you the bill has to be paid regardless of where you're located. You're far better off to pay if off as quickly as possible before you go away because the interest will screw you if you leave it and you'll have much bigger problems down the track.