<p>I'm really interested in this major actually. Does anyone know any schools that offer good IR programs around New York City?</p>
<p>Columbia, right in NYC. I don't know much 'around' NYC but on the east coast, Tufts and JHU have world class IR programs.</p>
<p>Second the opinion that Chinese and Arabic are the two 'hot' IR languages for the upcoming generations. If you can, consider an immersive program for the summer before you get to university.</p>
<p>Also, second the opinion that French is invaluable because it is the language of the ICC.</p>
<p>Why not try a year of French? You will probably do very well.</p>
<p>Sorry about my ignorance, but do you necessarily have to major in a language to learn it in college?</p>
<p>not at all, you can just take classes
one of my older brother's friends is fluent in spanish because he went to spain for study abroad (not a minor or major)</p>
<p>So glad I found this thread! I’m majoring in international relations and I’m already proficient in eng and chinese, should I go for French as well? Would you recommend it? I’m desperately seeking advice, thanks so much! (sorry for hijacking, it’s related right )</p>
<p>Thought I’d add my question as well–</p>
<p>I’m an international studies major. </p>
<p>I know a bit of German and I’ve been taking Spanish for over a year. I like it but I don’t think I want to focus on South America.</p>
<p>I’m currently a sophomore on a 4-5 year track and am thinking of picking up another language. Is French the most useful if you think you want to focus on Europe? I have to study abroad for my major but I’d also love to study abroad and pick up a language.</p>
<p>I have absolutely no experience in French but I imagine a knowledge of Spanish would assist in the learning curve. I’ve kind of figured out that simply taking a class doesn’t mean you’ll ever come close to fluency and that you’ll have to actually live in the country to grasp it. Is this a good idea?</p>
<p>Yes, French is useful not only for a focus on Western Europe, but also useful for Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of North Africa and the Middle East.</p>
<p>Yes, studying is a country where the language is spoken is the best approach.</p>
<p>[The</a> Twelve Most Useful Second Languages for English Speakers - a knol by Dominic Ambrose](<a href=“http://knol.google.com/k/the-twelve-most-useful-second-languages-for-english-speakers#]The”>http://knol.google.com/k/the-twelve-most-useful-second-languages-for-english-speakers#)</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick response!</p>