<p>I'm studying International Relations with an emphasis on security studies and the Middle East. I plan on taking Arabic next semester, but since I'll have barely begun my Arabic studies then, I currently do not qualify for most Arabic language programs like CLS.</p>
<p>I've been taking Chinese classes every semester for the past 2 years, plus I already have a background in Chinese because I grew up speaking it. My school offers a The Language Flagship Program for Chinese, and I was considering applying for that. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, it's a state-funded, rigorous language program that provides classroom instruction (both language classes as well as regular classes taught in the language), private tutoring, a summer abroad, a semester abroad, and an internship abroad.</p>
<p>With the semester and internship abroad, the program will add an extra year to my undergrad. Is it worth it though? Being fluent in Chinese is definitely a plus, but considering that my area of focus is the Middle East, would that skill be seen as irrelevant? The reason why I am really considering it is because it's a well known program, and many of the institutions I want to work for recruit directly from Flagship. It might be that extra flair that I need to impress my prospective employers and/or grad schools. The only thing is though, it's not really related to my area of focus.</p>