Studies & Degrees in Language Courses and Cultural Immersion Programs
Choose where you would like to study Language Courses and Cultural Immersion Programs:
ArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaBelgiumBoliviaBrazilBulgariaCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCzech RepublicDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptFijiFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceGuatemalaHondurasHong KongHungaryIndiaIndonesiaIrelandIsraelItalyJapanLatviaLithuaniaMaltaMexicoMoroccoNepalNew ZealandNicaraguaPanamaPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalRussiaSerbiaSingaporeSloveniaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandThailandThe United KingdomThe United StatesTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyUkraineUruguayVenezuelaYemenWhile typically not constituting a major or area of study in themselves, language courses and cultural immersion programs from an indispensable part of many other majors. Some fields–such as African studies, Spanish language, global business, or international relations, to name only a few–will require at least a semester of study at programs of this sort. For others, a language course or cultural immersion experience is an opportunity for personal growth and learning, despite not being a requirement for their specific major. In addition, many people find that the things they learn while abroad complement their studies in unexpected ways.
Foreign language and cultural immersion programs can be found in nearly every country on earth, from comfortable universities in Paris and Rome to rural homestays in developing countries such as Senegal or Costa Rica. They also vary in their level of academic rigor. Some are true study experiences where you will spend much of your time in universities learning from professors in the host country, while others expect that the locus of education will be in the streets or in the depths of the rainforest.
Personal Qualities
- Open-mindedness and a respectful demeanor
- Desire to learn about other people and their ways of life
- Some knowledge of world history and current events, especially related to the host country
- Independence, maturity, and emotional resiliency
The options for foreign language study and cultural immersion are almost limitless. Whatever region, country, or area of study you are interested in, you are almost certain to find a program that suits you. Of course, the majority of cultural immersion programs are geared toward students of global or area studies–a program in Lebanon, for example, would most likely be intended for students of either Arabic or Middle East studies. There are numerous exceptions to this rule, however, especially in Western Europe and the United States. Developed countries often offer study abroad programs in topics–such as physics, philosophy, or mathematics–they do not typically require or include a study abroad component. There are also generalist programs that offer an immersion in a foreign language and culture without requiring intensive coursework in any one subject.
Career Options
Language courses in cultural immersion programs are seldom if ever oriented toward one particular career or another. Instead, they offer skills that can be useful in almost any career, including language skills, personal independence, and cultural awareness. These skills are especially valuable in today's globalized economy, which places a premium on people who can speak foreign languages and understand foreign cultures. While any person in any line of work can benefit from a language or cultural immersion program, they are an absolute necessity for people on certain career paths, such as diplomacy, international business, and translation/interpretation.