<p>I am thinking about majoring in International Business. I am aware that taking a foreign language (and possibly minoring in it) is expected. I am not very good at foreign languages and I do not think I will ever become fluent per say. So I guess the big question I have is: do you HAVE to be fluent to major in Int'l Business? I am afraid this could be the one thing holding me back...</p>
<p>You are right, most programs want you to take language courses, and the one at my school requires you to minor in a language. That does not mean you need to be fluent, that level is usually not reached in minors. So unless you plan to double major with a language you should be fine.</p>
<p>Going I-Bus without the intention of achieving foreign fluency is just handcuffing an already soft degree. You don’t need to take I-Bus to understand business in English speaking countries.</p>
<p>@Zhanger, I-Bus has more aspects to it than you seem to know. It is not a main business major, but that doesn’t mean that it is a ‘soft’ major. What gives IB such a negative understanding is that many programs are not very developed, with many low-level colleges offering IB but not providing rigorous course-work for the major. A well developed IB degree program involves more than ‘understanding business in English speaking countries’. IB is more about the macro level of business than many traditional business degrees, and when the degree is gotten form a well developed and rigorous program it prepares a student well. IB is usually added on to a core business major, and as part of the program at school’s such as mine it involves an understanding of multiple aspects of business. At my school after completing the IB program you only need 3-5 classes to get any other business degree, as the program encompasses such a berth of knowledge. To say that IB is a ‘soft’ is a gross misrepresentation of what it truly is.</p>
<p>also @new432, Zhanger does make a good point when he indicates that you will be hurting yourself. Many IB majors gain fluency or at least a high level of proficiency in another language, so you will put yourself at a significant competitive disadvantage.</p>