<p>Hey guys</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me what North American colleges do not have a foreign language requirement? After never having done a language at school in New Zealand (barbaric, I know) and wanting to attend college in the USA, I need some options! Is it possible to get exemptions from requirements, maybe by going on an exchange to a different country or something?</p>
<p>Any info about foreign language requirements much appreciated! Thanks</p>
<p>If you're concerned that you won't be admitted because you didn't study a foreign language, colleges in the US look at your record in light of what was offered at your school. If your school didn't offer any foreign languages, it won't be held against you.</p>
<p>There are something like 3,000 colleges in the US so it shouldn't be too hard to find a couple that don't have a foreign language requirement. The trend is towards more language, more global engagement. Maybe if you describe other features you're looking for in a school, people can help you.</p>
<p>If you've never tried learning another language, why assume it's something you won't like? Why would you be willing to do an exchange without any knowledge of the language? There are immersion programs in this country (Concordia and Middlebury come to mind) but such programs might also exist in NZ.</p>
<p>matt, there are two separate but related issues at play: what you need to get in and what you need to get out.</p>
<p>Very few colleges actually have hardfast language requirements for admissions, but the fact is that most applicants at selective colleges will have studied at least 3, maybe 4 years of one foreign language. So if you haven't any foreign language at all, then you'll be at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>After you're in, some colleges require that you reach a certain level of proficiency in a foreign language to graduate, which could mean 2-3 years of college level language study. If this is something that you want to avoid, then you should look at the requirements of the individual colleges or concentrate on colleges that have totally open curriculums, like Amherst or Brown. Williams is another that has no language requirement for graduation.</p>
<p>I think your idea of doing an intensive language study would be well received. Come on up to Indonesia and study in Yogyakarta for a few months. It's a relatively easy language and would certainly be a standout on your resume. You could get some practice in Bali. :)</p>