<p>As previously noted on another thread, my mom is a language A professor (and Chair of the Modern Languages Department) at my university, and I'm a language B major. I intend on studying abroad in the target language B country my junior year, but my mom has been urging me recently to consider studying abroad in a language A country this upcoming summer (or next) as well. I'm somewhat competent with the language since she taught some to me, but I'm just not sure if it would really benefit me. I'm wondering what you all think, and I appreciate your time. </p>
<p>It would be a language intensive program for 6 weeks, and I'd actually get between 6-9 credits for school. It would make getting a minor in language A quite feasible and easy upon my return (my mom broke it all down for me to see). Also, my mom will be able to help me through the application process and with understanding the exact credit equivalence and with getting everything all set.</p>
<p>However, I'm just wondering if going through all of this for a minor would be worth it. Even though my mom says it's important to show diversity amongst foreign languages when you're majoring in them, is that necessarily true? Does a minor even help you? Will showing that I studied abroad for both language A and language B look good on my transcript for grad schools/jobs? </p>
<p>Of course my mom says this will be a good idea, but I'm just not sure. A part of me wonders if she's just saying that because she wants me to go to the target language A country (and minor in language A) and because she maybe wants a good reason to go back herself (assuming she'd hop on a plane to come see me). </p>
<p>Thanks, and I'm sorry if this is a weird question. They're doing all the promotional study abroad stuff this month, so she's kind of obsessed with it at the moment and taking it out on me quite ardently. :)</p>
<p>I remember your previous thread and have to say that your mom came across as very levelheaded, not someone who would encourage you to minor in language A or take the course if she didn’t have rational grounds for it.</p>
<p>As for showing diversity in languages, I don’t know how it works in grad schools, but I have a close family member who’s a simultaneous interpreter at the UN and in that field, knowing multiple languages is expected.</p>
<p>I’m still undecided as to what I want to do after undergrad, but I have considered business and international work along with even going into academia myself. Both languages are very useful in the business world, so I think I can see where’s she’s coming from with this better now. </p>
<p>She’s not forcing or pressuring me to do it, of course, as with all things. She just put it out on the table and said “if this interests you, this is what you can do and this is what can result.” I’m just wondering if most people go through all the effort to study abroad when they’re only minoring in that language.</p>
<p>I’m still going through the whole adjusting thing, so maybe I’m making a bigger deal out of this than it really is. She’s probably just offering general advice to her child that’s just more specific because of her job.</p>
<p>What a great opportunity! I only see positives from her offer; sure beats trying to get a minimum wage job that won’t even further your interest in languages. I’d seriously consider it, especially if you plan to do anything with languages. My grad school suite mate was fluent in Swedish, German, English and many more languages; she could read classics in their native texts! Her field was chemistry!</p>
<p>Fluency in multiple languages would make you more employable, and it is only for one summer. If language A and B are spoken on the same continent, maybe a short trip to the land of language B could be arranged as well.</p>
<p>It sounds like a great idea to me. What an opportunity. It’s not so much the minor, but the fluency that may be very useful to you and open up some options. Sure if you can do the minor without too much trouble, do it.</p>
<p>It isn’t a big deal to apply abroad, especially when you are getting the help she offered.</p>
<p>I think it is great to make your own final decisions, but you seem to second guess your mother or her motivations a little too much, maybe. You should realize that she has a lot more expertise than most people posting here. Not to mention we are strangers to you and don’t have your best interests in our hearts. Her opinion should carry more weight, given her knowledge.</p>
<p>I suppose you might be wistful about finding your own way, but don’t ignore the expert right under your nose! You will have plenty of opportunities to make your own mistakes, and studying abroad may be a great experience for you, on your own.</p>
<p>Your mom is the expert here as others have already pointed out. If mom wasn’t around you would probably go to the head of the department to find out what the best course of action is–she just happens to live in your home.</p>
<p>What kind of summer job would you be giving up for this opportunity, and just exactly how much money would you not be making if you do go study A for the summer?</p>
<p>As I’m sure you already know, an immersion summer program in a country where the target language is spoken is a great way to improve fluency. While you are still an undergrad and don’t desperately need the money from the summer job you are not taking, I really don’t see much of a down side other than the slight (but real) risk of feeling burned out when you return to school in the fall. You and your mom know your temperament. Talk that possibility through with her (and others in the department) as well.</p>
<p>I think it’s a good idea as long as it really is an immersion program with some sort of language pledge. It’s hard to find good things to do after freshman year in terms of jobs and internships, so I think it’s actually a good summer to nail down a second (or third) language.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. I guess I am questioning this a bit too much. She really would be the person to go to and who knows what they’re talking about, but it doesn’t really feel like that because she’s my mom. </p>
<p>It’s a 6 week immersion program with a host family, so I think that’s a pretty good way to throw and expose one into a language. I don’t have any permanent type of job to do over the summer (one of my uncles does roofing and he has me help out when he has the extra demand), and I was thinking about maybe taking classes anyway (though gen eds and not language A or even language B).</p>
<p>You could also look at it as #FirstWorldProblem…
“Should I go on an all expense paid trip to another country for the summer or work as a roofer in the middle of the summer”? :-)</p>
<p>But I think your real question is:</p>
<p>“How much should I let my mom influence me on what to do?”</p>
<p>I just wanted to update and say that I’ve decided to do it!! I’ve realized that I don’t care if it was my mom’s idea or if it’s her second language. This would be a great opportunity, and while my peers will be sitting around doing nothing or working at a minimum wage job, I’ll be out tasting the world and improving my outlook on life!</p>
<p>My mom offered to pay for it, too (after I apply for scholarships, of course), so I really don’t see any harm. I think I’ll still want to contribute some money so I can take more responsibility for it, and though she’ll help me with the application, I’m going to try and do it on my own or with other advisors first. </p>
<p>I’m very excited. plus I’ll be ahead with credits!</p>
plus I’ll be ahead with credits!</p>