Something that has been bothering me a bit....

<p>A little about me first....I am fairly sure I'd like to major in English...while I don't see that changing, it could always happen. Anyway, like most high school seniors I have absolutely no idea where life may take me, but if one day I want to earn a phD in English, I know that most programs would require me to have "reading knowledge" of two foreign languages. I already have this "reading knowledge" of French, although my speaking is, for lack of a better word, terrible. I want something new in college, anyway.</p>

<p>So I am thinking of trying Mandarin, but I am very scared. I have heard it is extremely difficult, and Swarthmore was already a big enough of a reach for me anyway! I'm scared enough to be taking classes in subjects I excel at, let alone taking up a language I know absolutely nothing about. I've been told I should go with Spanish or another romance language....but....I really think Chinese would be both useful and very interesting (and on top of that, I am very interested in Asian-American Lit, Asian History and Culture, etc...) Anyone have any advice?</p>

<p>it's true: Chinese is difficult- I speak Cantonese (another dialect), but I struggle with Mandarin speech and chinese writing all the same. Because it's completely in characters, vocabulary is more difficult to learn than French (which I am studying too!)</p>

<p>I'm pretty much in a similar situation, and am looking to take Chinese (Mandarin) in college. I know this will be tough, but it is so important for me, especially because this is my own heritage and culture. It seems that you are equally passionate about learning the language, and in that case, you shouldn't let the risk overcome your interest. The was I see it, it'd be a horrible feeling when you look back on your college years and regret not exploring something..college is the perfect time for that! at swarthmore especially, the profs would be there supporting you all the way (if what I've researched is true). anyway, I'm sure you are brilliant and are just feeling panicky at the moment..it'll wear off! take a chance, it'll be exciting!</p>

<p>btw: have you already been accepted to swat under ED1? if so, congrats, i'm jealous! i'm applying ED2...yikes. </p>

<p>I hope this helped...good luck with everything!</p>

<p>Hi, tkdgal, I'm going to be one of the Swatties in your class who's actually from mainland China :D I think learning a language from the other side of the globe truly helps you see a broader world. Chinese carries a lot of weight. It represents a whole different family of languages from the Indo-European one. You defintely will encounter more diffculties in learning chinese than in some other western languages like Spanish. But what you gain through the experience is IMHO a whole new way of thinking and logic. Swat is challenging...but hey, they ACCEPTED us for a reason :D
Btw, I'm more than willing to help you if you want to pursue your interest in chinese at Swat!</p>

<p>Yes, take Mandarin. College is the perfect time to branch out and learn new things and follow your intellectual desires and take risks. Lilypad is correct--you don't want to look back when you're older and regret that you gave up learning a subject your heart was set on just because you might not get a great grade in the course. And, after all, that's really the worst thing that can happen if you decide to take the chance.</p>

<p>The languages at Swat are one of their toughest subjects. The classes are worth 1.5 credit, not 1, because on top of meeting 3 times a week for class you have 2 lab/drill sessions a week. My tour guide said he took Mandarin for a semester, barely avoided failing, and switched to Spanish, ha. So yeah, it is difficult, but if you're interested in it, then go for it...just be prepared for a lot of work.</p>

<p>Thanks lilypad....yes, I got in ED1....good luck ED2!</p>

<p>Eesh....dot_commie...that sounds like a disaster! My parents would kill me if I was totally overwhelmed/did terribly in a class, so that's why it scares me a bit. I think I will probably end up trying it out for a semester, though, since it intrests me. And for anyone else who is also interested in the language programs at Swat, the Chinese department has links to skits from the students in the Mandarin classes....I have no idea what they are saying, but it's cool to see foreign language students at work :)</p>

<p>Hi there. I'm actually a sophomore at Swat right now, and I've visited this board occasionally just to see how the hs senior year experience looks from the other side (and, yes, it's much more pleasant from this side!). </p>

<p>Anyway, I haven't posted until now, but I just have to say TAKE CHINESE! I started it this semester, and my Intro Mandarin classes are the best I've taken at Swat so far. The professors are incredible-- funny, encouraging, demanding. You'll work hard, but it is definitely worth it. Plus, this kind of leap into the unknown is exactly what the pass/fail semester is for. Enjoy it!</p>

<p>:) Thanks a lot for the encouragement, Gilead. Mandarin is looking more and more exciting by the day.</p>