<p>I've recently started looking at women's colleges, and I've narrowed it down to four I like most--Wellesley, Barnard, Mount Holyoke, and Bryn Mawr. I only want to apply to two, though, and I just can't decide which ones. We can't afford to visit--I live in the Midwest anyway. They all are really good schools, but the relationships they have with other schools confuse me a bit--tri college, Barnard/Columbia, etc...but either way I'm looking to double major or at the very least minor in Arabic/some similar language and international affairs. In your opinion, which school will offer the best program and internship opportunities for that? I know from reading these threads that I should also take into consideration the environment and area, but I'm fine at either an urban/rural, or cutthroat/laid back. </p>
<p>My D. majored in poli sci/ international relations at Barnard. (There is not a separate IR major – rather, it’s an area of focus within the poli sci department). I know that the language offerings are very strong because of the relationship with Columbia. I feel the Barnard faculty and quality of education in that department is extremely strong. </p>
<p>Bryn Mawr has an International Studies major and Arabic program. Bryn Mawr’s relationship with Haverford is truly seamless (both colleges use the same registration software) and you can even major at either college. It’s just a mile away so the colleges are very close. Swarthmore also has great programs, but it’s more of a 30-minute bus. You could also take classes at UPenn in Philly (20 mins by train) and Bryn Mawr will reimburse your travel. </p>
<p>Bryn Mawr has a lot of very generous summer funding opportunities for internships and research both domestic and abroad. This funding ranges from around $3,000 to $5,000 for the summer. </p>
<p>My best advice would be to just look at the program websites and scope out faculty and courses:
<a href=“International Studies | Bryn Mawr College”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/internationalstudies/</a>
<a href=“Arabic | Bryn Mawr College”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/arabic/</a></p>
<p>You might want to ask this on the specific college’s boards. I do know that Mount Holyoke is quite well-known for it’s international studies and the number of graduates who go on to work in this field. It’s also a very internationally diverse student body, if that matters to you.</p>
<p>Here’s some info about Mount Holyoke’s well-regarded IR program: <a href=“https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/internationalrelations”>https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/internationalrelations</a>
and Arabic minor: <a href=“https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/asian/minor_requirements”>https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/asian/minor_requirements</a>
There is an Arabic language table every Tuesday evening at dinnertime 
Internships in the Asian studies field: <a href=“https://www.mtholyoke.edu/cdc/internships/asian”>https://www.mtholyoke.edu/cdc/internships/asian</a></p>
<p>There are also great study-abroad opportunities at MHC. When I was there recently I listened to a young woman speak about her intensive semester in China.</p>
<p>MHC has cross-registration with the other 4 colleges in the area (Amherst, Smith, Hampshire, and UMAss Amherst) and free buses connecting the campuses, so you can also take advantage of all the other offerings. </p>
<p>MHC is now providing funding for every student to do an internship after their sophomore or junior year. I’m sure like all these skills, they have lots of advising and leads to help find internships in your field.</p>
<p>Sorry for the late reply, but thanks for your help! ^-^</p>