I always knew Foreign Languages wasn't a popular major when it came to colleges in America. Heck, I barely thought I'd succeed in finding one that really set my needs... But now that I've finally set my goals for a near-by state college and have been recently introduced about what seems like the college of my dreams, I wonder if I've searched far enough for something i should be putting more thought into.
Finding colleges is tough. Especially when you have to juggle normal high school along with it. Plus adding on all my other activities! It can be REALLY tough... But I had decided to just put up with Iowa State because of all the credits I can receive early in high school if I attend there. I know they're not the greatest language college (it's a science college. I know. I'm dumb.) but it's a good start for something. I figured I'd just start there and end up transferring somewhere else before I earned my Ph.D in linguistics.
But now my Chinese teacher opened up a whole new world I didn't even know existed. And it's making my head spin!
She called it: Middlebury College. The "best language college in America". At first, I was skeptical. It's thousands of miles away from home and even further from where my friends and loved ones are disappearing off to. But when looking through the classes... They offer not only multiple languages but language summer PROGRAMS. How it goes is this: You choose ONE language to study during the summer. You buy dorm expanses, class expanses, and food, and you're always with your one class of that foreign language. You're to speak, think, breath, and eat that language ONLY. English is completely forbidden. I first saw this and thought "That would be my HEAVEN. I'd DIE of happiness." But the more I think about it, the more I grow confused... This college sounds great and everything - but it doesn't seem to offer solely "linguistics" as a major (which I THINK Im aiming toward... I think). That and I've already aimed myself toward Iowa State that I don't know if I just go somewhere else... Would I make friends? Well duh I would - I talk so loud people can tell my where-abouts two rooms away (and for some reason people find that kind of personality really magnetic). But would they be as great as those who are going with me to Iowa State?
A close friend of mine said a good idea though - why not go to Iowa State or Uni of Iowa (she suggested Uni over State.) and go to the summer program in Middlebury?
Sounds great. But would it really help me in learning more languages? You only learn so much over one season...
I guess I have a lot more to think on for colleges... And a lot more to research.
Anyways I should go study.
~Chasity Noel
The summer program sounds interesting. You may benefit from taking it, and be glad that you did. Just remember, you can always transfer later in your college career if you decide Iowa isn't the place to be. This Middlebury place sounds great for those who want to teach foreign languages, though. Who knows? Maybe you'll end up there anyway.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Language is a wonderful thing to major in. It is one of the only things that might bring about world peace and cooperation. I am currently majoring in international studies and actully the university i chose has an amazing program. Uni of wyoming, though it sounds lame, has some of the best study abroad programs in the country. It is almost free to go anywhere. But wherever you choose will give you a great education that you can make alot out of. It sounds lame, but college is what you make it. Good luck.