<p>I'm curious to hear what schools are the best known for foreign language and international relations. I already speak semi-fluent Spanish and Hebrew and am considering learning Chinese in college and doing something with International Relations (languages and international relations sort of go hand in hand) and I'd like to hear what schools are best for that. Thanks!</p>
<p>Foreign languages from what I've heard are best at Middlebury. International Relations are stellar at Gtown and Hopkins.</p>
<p>Middlebury does a great integration of foreign languages and international relations, yet in a liberal arts setting (there is probably a higher emphasis on foreign languages, due to Midd's outstanding programs in the area). </p>
<p>Georgetown is also excellent at both, and their Walsh school of foreign service is regarded as one of (if not the) best international relations schools in the country. They also integrate foreign languages into the IR curriculum; I've heard they have some killer language requirement tests. Also, Georgetown's location, right in DC, couldn't be better for IR experience.</p>
<p>I'm a lot like you; Middlebury and Georgetown are my two top choices. I want to do IR with a foreign language (chinese, russian or french). I speak almost-fluent french and have self-taught myself german, russian, and a bit of chinese and hungarian.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what are your stats? I like to compare myself to students with my same academic interests.</p>
<p>Middlebury is too small and in the middle of nowhere, but I LOVE georgetown. Only issue is I'm very Jewish (culturally, not religious though) and its Catholic affiliation could be an issue but I've heard its great for any religion.</p>
<p>Stats:
Stats:
UW GPA: 3.86
W GPA: 4.6
Class Rank: 32/650 (about 5%)
SAT: 2100 (CR: 700 M:700 W:700)
(Will retake SATs and take SAT IIs)</p>
<p>Senior Sched:
BC Calc AP
Enviro Sci AP
Span V AP
Econ H/Gov AP
Eng IV AP
Eng Lang AP
Will take a Hebrew class for credit out of school</p>
<p>ECs:
Member of North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) 2004-2008
Communications Vice President of local temple youth group (part of NFTY) 06-07
Programming Vice President of local temple youth group (NFTY) 07-08
Historian of NFTY Region 07-08
Attended NFTY Leadership Camp Summer 2006
Camp Counselor at JCC Day Camp Summer 2007
SPENT SEMESTER IN ISRAEL SPRING 2007
NHS
Spanish Honor Society
Had jobs since sophomore year
150+ Hours of Community Service</p>
<p>What are your stats? I'd love to compare.</p>
<p>Regarding the Catholic affiliation, I've noticed that although schools are traditionally affiliated with one religion or another, they openly promote diversity and the existence of other religions. I highly doubt you will have a problem being Jewish.</p>
<p>Georgetown is definitely the best known school for IR. Echoing earlier comments, Middlebury is great but definitely focuses more on languages. I will be pursuing an IR [I'm almost certain] degree in the fall. I opted out of Georgetown for two reasons. First, I'm an atheist and despite an emphasis on diversity, I thought I would still feel uncomfortable in a school that is affiliated with beliefs so different than my own. Second, I disliked the idea of going to school in such a massive city.
I am going to be attending Stanford, which also has a great IR program. Don't forget that at Stanford, as well as HYP, they also have great IR options even if IR isn't their only strong suit.
Btw: check out Earlham as a super safety. Pretty good IR with a really high acceptance rate.</p>
<p>other thoughts?</p>