<p>I'm a sophomore right now, but I've been looking at Yale for a long time. I'm planning on going on a foreign exchange to Austria with Rotary Youth Exchange next year for my junior year. My weighted GPA is pretty good I guess...it's a 4.82, and I'm 1 of 261 in my class. I've taked the highest level of classes available. But the thing is, if I go next year, I won't understand what's going on in class for the first couple of months because of the language barrier. I should be getting pass/fail credit if all goes well, so my GPA and ranking won't be affected.</p>
<p>My question is, will Yale look at this as a wasted or educational year? I mean, I'll become fluent in German and German is what I want to go into. I'm just curious because I know I won't be getting the same education in the classroom, it will be educational in so many other ways such as developing my global awareness and independence. Have their been any other previous foreign exchange students to attend Yale?</p>
<p>Also, does Yale have a good foreign language department? I've heard that, but I'm not positive.</p>
<p>I think it's a great idea, dude. If you want to go into german, than what would be better than going to the source? </p>
<p>Another good idea is to make a visit to Yale once you're done with the year abroad and talk to the German prof; that's how some kid got into cornell easily from where I live.</p>
<p>It's definitely not a wasted year, though.</p>
<p>Oh good thanks! I just was worried since I wouldn't be able to get many APs in since I'll have to make up for whatever credits I can't get overseas (such as a high level English class). I really appreciate it though. That makes me feel so much better. I feel like I don't really have anything else that would make me 'stand out' to a place like Yale.</p>
<p>I studied abroad in India junior year. They didn't have AP's but I took an IB exam (you might be able to do that as well). </p>
<p>Here's what I think: the experience of studying abroad is WAY more meaningful and life-enriching than taking a freaking AP exam or getting straight A's. Definitely go to Austria, play it up in your essays, and have your counselor write a note explaining why you didn't (a) take AP exams and (b) perform up to your standards. Trust me, admissions officers will understand.</p>
<p>Aren't Austrian and German two slightly different languages?</p>
<p>I don't think there is such a language as "Austrian." I think they speak German.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure my austrian friend gets mad when we ask him if he's speaking german...
edit: apparently they speak something called "austrian german" -- or so I'm told. Anyhow, I digress...</p>
<p>Wow I'm so relieved at hearing all of this...
Just wondering, but what program did you go with Gorbachev_Sez?</p>
<p>From what I've heard from others who have been to Austria on exchange, it's actually German but has a different accent and I'm sure some of the slang is different. My guess is it's kind of like comparing British English to American English.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>I went with the SAGE (Study Abroad for Global Education) program. I looked at Rotary though.</p>