Exciting Benefits of Studying Arabic
Every year, millions of children, college-age students, young adults, and older adults choose to learn Arabic, one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. Consider that more than 650 million people speak it as either their first or second language, particularly in the MENA region, which refers to the Middle East and North Africa. But people decide to take on the academic challenge for dozens of reasons, some of them personal and others based on practical or business circumstances.
Among college-age adults and older teens, there’s a huge incentive to learn the language for the potential job opportunities available to those who can speak Arabic. Fortunately, students who choose it as their major can earn a four-year degree and then refinance their education loans after they begin working. Gaining a conversational ability in the Arabic tongue delivers several benefits, including the chance for exciting year abroad programs, cultural insight, academic scholarships at all levels, enjoyable travel, and more. Consider the following points if you’re thinking about studying one of the most interesting, historical, practical languages in the world.
Job Opportunities Abound
Corporations on every developed continent seek out qualified Arabic speaking applicants. One reason they’re in such high demand is that universities and colleges in the US, Europe, and Asia tend to focus on other second languages for now, anyway. In the United States, Spanish and French are by far the most common second tongues for high school and college pupils. Finding a college that has more expansive linguistic horizons is a good idea for today’s ambitious, hard-working young adults.
Grads Can Refinance Student Loans
After graduation, those who have gained a working knowledge of Arabic can move into teaching, business, or international affairs. After a few months, many hard-working young adults discover that they can substantially reduce their monthly expenses by refinancing their college loans. Of course, this option is open to people in all disciplines and professional niches, but it’s especially helpful for recent grads who need to minimize expenses early on in their careers. Refinancing education debt does more than reduce payments.
Because the new loan comes with a fresh set of terms, borrowers have a chance to get more favorable interest rates, additional time to pay off the balance, and other flexible options. Note that linguists and those who speak more than one language like to set aside time to keep their skills sharp, which can mean taking weekend conversation classes. Refinancing gives this diligent group of professionals the financial freedom to pay for enhanced training if they feel the need to do so.
Exciting Year Abroad Programs & Scholarships
For second-year students who want the adventure of a lifetime, Arabic advantages include interesting and highly educational abroad programs that last for a full year, one semester, or a summer session. Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and many other North African and Middle Eastern nations offer intensive and traditional programs for anyone who wants to spend a few months or an entire year acquiring top-level language skills in Arabic. The good news is that all the overseas programs offer various forms of scholarships, stipends, and work-study arrangements for those who don’t wish to pay the full tuition.
Travel & Work
It’s easy to see all the practical, financial reasons for acquiring a second language, but in the case of Arabic, there are a few unique advantages that are easy to overlook. First, the travel opportunities for those with even a basic speaking ability are amazing. The Arab speaking world is vast, interesting, colorful, and a great place to spend a vacation or a long business trip. Some prefer to take intensive, bootcamp style courses before departing for their destination. Others take the slow and steady approach by studying for a few hours per week over a year or two.
Many from the US, Europe, and Asia head to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and various destinations in the Middle East for annual holidays or to work on international business deals. There’s no need to be fluent because even a passing ability can get you a long way, help develop friendships, and enhance any vacation. Whether you’re headed to Cairo for a two-week holiday or Riyadh for a business trip, learning some of the local lingo can boost your overall enjoyment and help make the stay more memorable.
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