Study a language or a culture?

CollegeXC1993
Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:31:53 +0000

I am a freshman at U of Rochester studying Economics and either Applied Math or Statistics. I am also participating in NROTC. My main strength academically is in the social sciences and I am pretty confident I could get an A in most polisci/IR classes at UR; I might have double majored in it if it weren’t for technical requirements for ROTC.

Wondering if it would be more valuable to gain proficiency in a language (probably arabic) or take classes on international affairs/regional studies/middle eastern studies. My GPA would definitely be lower if I choose the language route, but those skills might also be more valuable… I’m not completely sure what I want to do after the military, but one of my potential career plans is to get a masters at a top IR program and work on developmental econ/international business/international affairs/something of that nature.