<p>So some people here have been mentioning something called the consortium? I’m a rising senior and AU is my first choice, and I want to study IR, but another important thing for me is Brazilian studies.</p>
<p>AU doesn’t offer Brazilian studies, and only has Portuguese through the intermediate level. Georgetown has a Brazilian studies program and an extensive Portuguese department. </p>
<p>Is there any way that I could take Portuguese and Brazilian studies courses at AU through this consortium thing?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Short answer: yes</p>
<p>Long answer: You are fully capable of taking classes through the consortium. The lack of advanced language classes at one school is exactly the scenario for which the consortium was designed. If it is something that is very important to you, you can definitely make it happen. The issue of course is that language classes usually meet anywhere from 3 to 5 times a week and getting from AU to Georgetown is not an short trip by bus, even though as the crow flies the schools are not far. Taking the class may require you to block out around a solid two and half or three hours, which may make scheduling other important classes difficult. </p>
<p>However, presumably you won’t need to commute until your sophomore or junior years. I can only speak to my experience, but by my second semester sophomore year all of my classes except for language and econ were seminar style and met only once a week for an extended period of time. This type of schedule is much more conducive to traveling off campus for class or work. </p>
<p>Bottom line: You can make it work, just be realistic about the possible challenges.</p>
<p>SFShoya nailed just about everything. That’s the exact situation the consortium was designed for - taking courses not offered at your home school. You’ll have to block out some extra time for commute, but there are buses that go between Tenleytown and Georgetown frequently (it’s on the 30’s route, which is a pretty major route).</p>
<p>AU also has a study abroad program in Rio, which I believe is designed to continue language studies after the intermediate level. So you might consider taking 2 years of Portuguese at AU, studying abroad, then taking the very advanced language courses at Georgetown. </p>
<p>There are also a number of courses at AU that relate to Brazil, although they might not be organized into a formal Brazilian studies program like at Georgetown. SIS has a TON of courses, and every semester at least 40-50 of them are non-recurring topics faculty teach based on their research interests.</p>
<p>Also check out the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, as they’re a hub for studies of that region throughout all the disciplines taught on campus and can connect you with all kinds of Brazil-related resources. </p>
<p>For example, take a look at this: [CLALS</a> | Beef, Beans & Seeds | American University Washington, DC](<a href=“http://american.edu/clals/beef-beans-seeds.cfm]CLALS”>http://american.edu/clals/beef-beans-seeds.cfm)</p>
<p>There are lots of opportunities for undergrads to get hands-on experience with those kinds of research projects. It’s sometimes as simple as sending an e-mail expressing interest.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. SirJoshua, I will definitely be doing the Rio exchange, especially considering that one of my best friends goes to the university in Brazil that the exchange is with. The problem is that my Portuguese is already at the advanced level, so I guess I would have to start taking the consortium classes from freshman year 
Oh well, that’s life.
Another question: do you guys know if there’s a limit on how many language classes you can take?
I know I’m going to continue with Portuguese, German, and Spanish, but I’m also really interested in taking Persian and Arabic. Is it possible to take all those, would I have to minor in linguistics or something?</p>