I’d like to get more opinions on this because I’m trying to decide if I should take Russian or Arabic in college. Thanks
These are particularly difficult languages to learn.
What opportunities do you have to facilitate proficiency in those languages-- do you plan to live/work in an Arabic or Russian speaking country? Do you have Arabic or Russian speaking family members or significant other?
Neither may be worth your while if you end w an inadequate command of them.
@GMTplus7 I plan to take intensive Arabic/Russian classes in college and then study abroad in an Arabic-speaking country (probably Jordan or Oman) my junior year. Or if I went with Russian I’d study in Russia for that year.
Which country / region would you prefer to spend a lot of time in?? Srsly. Think of the food. The climate. As someone who “did” an unusual foreign language as a major and a career, I wish I’d thought more about sunshine levels, frehs fruits and veg, and state of the bathrooms. Ignore those at your peril!
On the upside of things, both of those languages are on the list supported by the FLAS fellowship, which is a very nice scholarship often providing fully tuition and a stipend. Be aware of this as you move forward. Offered through grad programs from the federal government.
In addition to FLAS, check out other critical language scholarship programs sponsored by the US State Dept. They offer fully sponsored merit scholarships.
For undergrads and grad students: http://clscholarship.org
For high school and gap year students: http://www.nsliforyouth.org
@Dustyfeathers Thank you! I’ll definitely look into that program and research the countries I’m interested in more - I hadn’t even considered climate. Out of curiosity, what language did you study?
@doschicos Thanks, this was helpful. I would love to take a gap year with the second program you linked but unfortunately my parents won’t let me take one
@nordietrackie You could also apply for a summer program for between your senior year in HS and college.
@doschicos oh good idea, then I could get a little bit ahead in Arabic before college and possibly start in a higher level class…