<p>I am on the fence between Williams and Dartmouth. I am fluent in Spanish and have lived in Mexico for the past year and a half. I love languages and really want to learn another, study abroad, and maybe work in a foreign country in the future. I really liked the flexibility of the Dplan to be able to go abroad various times and the fact that a D prof goes with you. I also hear their language classes are amazing. Nevertheless, I think socially, Williams is a better fit. What are language programs like at Williams? (i'm thinking about maybe Arabic...) and study abroad? using winter study for foreign projects or service? If i feel good about the languages at williams, i'll probably end up going there, so please, any help is greatly appreciated!! this is a big part of my college decision!!</p>
<p>If you have any interest in Asian languages, Williams is EXCELLENT on Chinese and Japanese. The head of the Asian Studies department actually used to run the Mandarin training program at the State Department. As for Arabic, I think our program is still relatively young, but is supposed to be quite intensive. The standard romance languages are fair.</p>
<p>There are tons of study abroad opportunities as well. My guess is that for any language available for study here at Williams, there is at least one study abroad program you can apply to that will let you apply those abilities. Going abroad during winter study is also fairly common. E.g. There is a month-long trip to Taiwan every other year.</p>
<p>Actually, Darthmouth's approach to study abroad where a group of Dartmouth students pick up and move en masse to another country is the weakest approach to study abroad, IMO. It's a liability, not a plus, especially because Dartmouth's programs are concentrated very much on the beaten path of Europe, Australia, etc. Although Dartmouth allows participation in better study abroad programs, the D-plan calendar complicates doing so as the dates don't always match up.</p>
<p>Williams has by far the best approach to foreign study -- an extensive list of pre-approved programs from the best offerings at many schools and independent operators. I've studied Williams' list and it's very, very complete. Williams students routinely participate in the best study abroad programs each year. There are some AMAZING options on Williams' list.</p>
<p>On the flip side of the equation, languages are not considered one of Williams' strengths.</p>
<p>Nina, after freshman year at Williams you can even write your own proposal for language study/travel during the January Winter Study Period which, upon approval, will be generously supported by some of the student funding that Williams is well known for. There are also summer travel fellowships you can apply for as an upperclasswoman.</p>
<p>Because the Williams curriculum is so strong in so many areas, the college is not known primarily for languages (as is a school like Middlebury, for example). That is not to say, however, that the Williams language programs are not without merit and strength. You can expect excellent and almost personalized instruction by the dedicated faculty at Williams.</p>
<p>Hey I'm struggling with the same exact williams vs. dartmouth problem! I think, and I'm 90% sure, that I'm going to go with williams. We're going to get a lot more personal attention and support for anything that we want to do. Personally, Middlebury is also a consideration for me and they are SICK at languages. seriously, kickbutt. But Williams is better, so I'm going to do a summer language school at Midd and then go back to williams where I belong. im going to an ivy for grad school =]</p>
<p>Agree with interestedad that moving en masse to another country is not as effectively an immersion as studying with native professors - although Dartmouth students do study with host university faculty, and do live with local families, not all together as group. The quarter plan is part of the problem of joining other semester-based programs. BUT...it really does facilitate other experiences abroad. Because of the flexibility of the D-plan, leave terms and off term-internships/research/fellowships can be run in succession to create a unique experience tailored by the student and not limited geographically.</p>
<p>"Williams students routinely participate in the best study abroad programs each year."</p>
<p>In Italian, Williams students can't even APPLY to the best study abroad programs, because there aren't enough levels of courses offered to meet the basic application qualifications. </p>
<p>Arabic is not offered as part of the regular curriculum:</p>
<p>CFLLC</a> | Critical Languages Frameset</p>
<p>Overall, the number of language/area studies majors at Williams is so relatively small that, in virtually all departments, the number of upper-level electives is limited, as are language-related activities, certainly not among the top 25 or 30 liberal arts colleges, let alone places like Dartmouth. </p>
<p>However, for students generally hoping to study abroad (and not looking for the best possible school to major in languages), Williams is more than adequate.</p>
<p>"Arabic is not offered as part of the regular curriculum"</p>
<p>mini: We had this same "conversation" last year -- how quickly you forget. Please see pages 15-16 of the online course catalog for a listing of the currently-offered Arabic courses (including elementary, intermediate, and advanced). Professor Vargas is excellent, and has taught at several Middlebury summer immersion sessions. Professors Khattab and Naaman will be teaching next year.</p>
<p>About half of the junior class in any given year will spend either one semester or both semesters abroad in one (or even two) of a number of excellent programs -- arranged either individually or institutionally.</p>
<p>Actually, the approved list of programs in Italy is about as complete as it could possibly be:</p>
<p>*ITALY Arcadia/CEA Perugia
Bologna Consortial Studies Program Univ. of Bologna Bologna
Boston University Venice, Padova
Brown Bologna
CET Siena
Cornell University (Dec. deadline) Rome
Dickinson College Bologna<br>
I.E.S. Milan<br>
Intercol. Center Classical Studies (ICCS) Rome
Middlebury Florence, Ferrara
Pitzer College Parma, Modena<br>
SACI (Studio Art Centers Int'l) Florence
Sarah Lawrence College Florence<br>
Siena School for Liberal Arts Siena
Smith College Florence<br>
Syracuse University Florence
Trinity College Rome
Vassar/Wellesley/Wesleyan ECCO Bologna *</p>
<p>S and I are visiting Williams tomorrow. S is also looking to strengthen his language skills. He is looking at international studies, with an emphasis in east asia. He is considering arabic as well. He is fluent in spanish & has taken some japanese at the local university. He has been accepted to Williams, Amherst and Middlebury. He likes both Amherst and Middlebury, but the locale of Midd & FA aren't comparable to the other 2. How does the Williams experience compare overall, with these other two? What should my S expect?</p>
<p>Amherst has amazing language opportunities through the consortium - absolutely staggering. It is also great for those interested in linguistics, as UMass has one of the very best programs in the country.</p>
<p>I agree that the Dartmouth approach to study abroad is a drawback, not a benefit. Williams has a very comprehensive list of pre-approved programs.</p>
<p>For basically anything other than the Romance languages, it's more of a toss-up than anything...I would base your decision based on which college feels the best to your S. The consortium at Amherst definitely makes Amherst a different place than Williams (there are advantages and disadvantages).</p>