Benefits of foreign language(s)?

[jeparlefrancais]

<p>So here's the story:</p>

<p>I really wanted to be a doctor. I volunteer at the hospital and absolutely love it! I even applied to partake in this mini-medical school program offered by the same hospital. The main reason I want to become a doctor is because I really want to help people, and for some sick reason, I just love the atmosphere of the hospital. </p>

<p>But here's the deal: I've never really loved or enjoyed science or math. </p>

<p>I wasn't really ever terrible in those subject areas, but I've never been like, "Man! Can't wait for precalc/bio today!" On the other hand, I love English class and my French class. They're the highlights of my day. I'm currently enrolled in American Lit, Intermediate Composition and Journalism (I'm on the newspaper staff). Since my interest in foreign languages is gradually picking up (I'm going on the French exchange trip in the spring and I'm in the process of starting up a French painting club), I'm thinking that I might want to pursue French (as well as other languages) in college...however, I have no idea what kind of careers they might lead to.</p>

<p>I've thought of being a language professor at a college (I don't think I could teach high school students; they're too immature), a translator (I currently do consecutive translating at my church - Korean to English), or even do some of that international politics stuff (I'm not too sure though, because I absolutely hated AP Gov...maybe it was just my teacher? He sucked really bad). I've also thought of being a museum curator or something...I like art.</p>

<p>I want to get some suggestions. What can I do with my love for foreign languages? Especially French?</p>

<p>Help please!</p>

[shrek2004]

<p>umm u can move to canada or france and be french.....then u can speak french all the time</p>

[jeparlefrancais]

<p>Sorry to be rude, but isn't that obvious? Any other constructive suggestions?</p>

[RaboKarabekian]

<p>I'm not sure of any beyond teaching or interpreting. Foreign languages are infinitely useful if you want to travel or work abroad. And what you major in does not determine what you end up doing as a career. I have a friend who majored in french but is an MBA.</p>

[nosx]

<p>I speak fluent french and attended the Lycee Francais de Chicago, and I plan to use my french skills for being a politican. They can be used for various reasons, Government, Aid in poor french speaking countries (Senegal) or as extreme as the CIA.</p>

[philntex]

<p>You can use acquired language skills for a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g (wow, that was long). If you want to use it for int'l politics, do it! If you want to use it for business, do it! <---That'll help you a lot in that, btw. Any job you can imagine, you will probably have an advantage in knowing multiple languages. If you find languages becoming your passion instead of math/science, pursue something that combines your love of languages with something else you may be interested in or even just your passion for languages (careers in this field include translation, interpretation, editing, and writing). If nothing else, there are many great jobs with the government that would allow you to use your talents.</p>

<p>And I like your name. Je parle fran</p>

[grxkn]

<p>Yeah, you can use your language skills in pretty much any profession. You won't be stuck as a high school French teacher in the future if you study French in college.</p>

[jeparlefrancais]

<p>Do you guys think it'd be possible for me to travel while being a doctor if I decide to become a doctor? Like, I could travel to special places for special requests...and I could use my language skills...???</p>

<p>Hmm...I really want to travel...yet I don't want to give up being a doctor...</p>

[RaboKarabekian]

<p>Look into Medecins Sans Frontierres</p>

[celebrian25]

<p>i think just stuyding langauge is dumb unless your dream is to be a translator or a teacher, i plan on studying journalism and spanish or political science and spanish or something like that ...with spanish. I think it's such a useful language, and it would actually be valuable</p>

[nosx]

<p>lol @ celebrian, studying languages help you in so many different ways and let you experience cultures as there were meant to be experienced.</p>

[teal]

<p>You can volunteer at places where your knowledge of language would come in handy, study abroad, etc. I personally enjoy listening to foreign music :)</p>

[midwesterner]

<p>You should look into linguistics (U of C!) and possibly speech therapy and see if they are more to your liking than traditional medicine. There is also a need for medical translators; talk to someone at a hospital that serves the Korean community. My sister worked for the government during the Mariel boatlift from Cuba, doing translations for the doctors during medical exams. She had to sit behind a curtain because the patients, mostly men, would not disrobe if she could see them. It was probably a good thing, because she was very young and the questions and answers were very graphic !</p>

[dressagechick]

<p>If you do French combined with a more in-demand language like Arabic or Chinese you'll never be stuck without a job. The FBI is recruiting middle-eastern language specialists and there are more and more jobs of this sort being made as global business expands. Maybe you could combine your interests my working for an international medical/pharmaceutical company.</p>

[nbachris2788]

<p>My dad's a doctor (a researcher, not a surgeon), and he travels a helluva lot. I think in any job, once you reach a level of accomplishment, recognition, and seniority, you'll travel everywhere to conferences, meetings, councils, etc.</p>

[ninnykins]

<p>If you really want to be a doctor you should pursue that. If you can stand science, I'd think you'd be alright.</p>

[jeparlefrancais]

<p>since im still unsure about the medical field, should i still take ap bio next year (senior year)? or, i might just take advanced bio...but the schools im looking at are kinda competitive...whatdouthink?</p>