Hi! I’m interested in people’s experience studying Arabic in college, as I’m highly considering it. I’ve narrowed it down to Arabic and Russian, but I’m leaning towards Arabic. The lettering is so beautiful and I want to study in the Middle East. Because of what’s going on there Arabic would be much more useful than Russian I think. Those taking Arabic, do you enjoy it and do you plan to study in an Arabic speaking country in college? Also are you majoring or minoring in Arabic? (Or does it have something to do with your major/minor?)
Thanks!
I’m taking Russian, message me!
@LayraSparks how do I send a message? I’m new here 
Oh, that smiley face is really creepy … I meant to put a different one
I’m in the same situation! But I’m leaning more towards Russian!
@Dramalce It’s so difficult for me to choose! I think there are many more Arabic speakers than Russian speakers in the US (I could be wrong) and I’m interested in helping refugees here, so you’d think I would definitely go for Arabic… But at the same time I LOVE how Russian sounds and I think that language is so beautiful (whereas I’m not so fond of the sound of Arabic, albeit the script is incredible). Both cultures interest me, maybe Arab culture a little more because these Arabic speaking countries are so pertinent right now. You could say the same about Russia though! I have one more year of high school left so there’s still time to think about it, but I’d like to have a better idea of which language I want to focus on. I’m really curious to know why you’re leaning towards Russian!
I’m going to be taking Arabic with the intention of being somewhat fluent in 5-7 years. I think that it is important in our society who can speak Arabic to help bridge the gap between our culture and theirs. I know that it will be a challenge, but I’m up for it and I think it could be a good asset in the business world.
Russian was more useful in the Soviet/Cold War era, they say Arabic and Chinese are our generation’s Russian in terms of global usefulness.
@Orioles13 Thanks for your input! Do you think you’re going to study/go to an Arabic-speaking country at some point?
Yes certainly I plan on going to an Arabic speaking country. Would love see the UAE and all it has to offer, but am just as interested in going to Jordan, as my best friend is from there and goes back one month a year, it’s a really important stable piece in the region. The culture and civilization of thr middle East in general is so rich, making all of the recent carnage even more tragic.
@Orioles13 If I decide to take Arabic Jordan is one of the countries I’m considering studying abroad in. Will you be studying Arabic in college? Do you have any recommendations of colleges that offer Arabic? I’m interested in small liberal arts colleges but unfortunately some of the schools I love like Bates don’t have Arabic.
I’ll begin my studies at St. Bonaventure, which for its size actually has an alright Arabic department with options for minors in things such as Islamic Studies and such. A friend of mine will be taking Arabic at U Pitt and I thing the department is good there. I’d go out on a limb and say that most colleges that put in the effort to offer the language will probably be pretty decent at it.
I’ll put it this way, students who elect to take Arabic are usually really interested in actually learning the language, as opposed to those who just take Spanish, Italian, or French where they just want the required semesters and don’t care if they retain or can comprehend anything. So no, I can’t offer any real suggestions but I’m comfortable saying that because the language is still obscure in American colleges, that any experience is going to be genuine.