May 1, 2010

Second Language Studies Program

Today was my interview for the Individualized Major Program, and they approved! I am now definitely majoring in Second Languages Studies.

Some things the committee mentioned:

-Don't stress the final project for another year or so. Since I'm starting the program so early, I'm a guinea pig for SLS. If (when) they finally make it a major, they'll be looking at what I did. The final project will factor into that, but it's still three-ish years away.

-Especially since I've never left the US, I should take opportunities to get to know other cultures, both through classes and people. It'll help a bit when I study abroad, as well as help me to teach cross-culturally.

-The ideal time to study abroad would be the spring of my Junior year, since I only want to go for one semester. The idea is that I study with the program in the spring, and maybe-possibly, once I'm more familiar with the local language and culture, find a place locally to be an English tutor for the summer.

On a different note, would anyone like a funny link? I've got nothing against the Germans, Russians, English, or French, but this is most definitely funny. I guess you could say it's an interesting commentary on cultural differences.

6 comments:

  1. g'luck on your studies, rachel, sounds great :)

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  2. 'merry minuet' is in the same vein ;)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYRFQASY6Q

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  3. Thanks for the link! The hilarity starts at 3:46 and gets better from there.

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  4. Congrats, Rachel! Sounds like a good program and a good plan. Can you add some travel in over a summer or spring break or 2 before your junior year, which probably feels like worlds away?

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  5. I don't know. I have my passport, but I'm currently spending spring breaks with my family (because I don't get back home much during the regular semester) and summers working. The working, if my scholarships don't like my choice of study abroad program, will pay for the official study abroad. Paying out of my own pocket for travel beforehand might be shooting myself in the foot.

    I guess travel out-of-state doesn't count? We're heading out to RI this summer, and I made my first real trips to Chicago and NYC this year. Talk about different worlds! Everything was so crowded and close together. I liked it, but it was both intimidating and exhausting for small-town me.

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