What Major Event Occurs In Frankensteins Life When He Is 17 Years Old?

In Chapter 3 of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor is 17 years old and ready to become a student at the University of Ingolstadt in Ingolstadt, Germany (near Munich), but an outbreak of scarlet fever at home delays his departure. His mother and "cousin" both fight the disease; Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein dies, and Elizabeth recovers. Before Caroline dies, she reveals her unrealized plans for the marriage of Victor and Elizabeth by saying, "my firmest hopes of the future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union."
Elizabeth becomes the family caretaker upon Caroline's death. Victor finds it hard to say goodbye to his family and dear friend, but he sets out for Ingolstadt to begin his studies in science.
So, at the age of 17 years old, Victor Frankestein had to deal with two challenging situations. In the first place, his mother, Elizabeth, contracted scarlet fever and got very ill. In the second place, he had to leave his homeland to study at a German University, because his parents determined that the quality of his education had to be improved and he had to meet other new cultures.