Why study MENA languages
New ways of doing business, the need to compete successfully, and work collaboratively in a growing multi-ethnic and multi-cultural world are just some of the indications that globalization is real. Since students will need to find their place in an interconnected world, knowing another language and culture are necessary skills for them to succeed.
Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish are some of the most useful and important languages you can learn for several reasons.
- First, proficiency in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish will get you noticed. Not many people in Europe and the U.S.
set out to learn Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish and the demand for proficient speakers continues to grow. Currently, the demand for professionals speaking Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish exceeds the supply. - Second, proficiency in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish presents not only unparalleled opportunities to address the complex political and economic questions surrounding our engagement in the Middle East and North Africa, but it is a real asset for the private and nonprofit sectors as well, as businesses seek to better understand emerging markets and institutions in the Middle East and around the world.
- Third, because Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish are considered "critical languages" by the U.S. Department of State, there are quite a few scholarships and fellowships available to students who would like to develop language and cultural expertise in the countries where Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish are spoken. For example, the Critical Language Scholarship Program, the Arabic Overseas Language Flagship Program, the ARIT Summer Fellowships for Advanced Turkish Language Study, and the National Security Education Program's Boren Awards each provide focused, immersive experiences that enable students to reach much higher levels of linguistic and cultural proficiency than is achievable through classroom instruction alone.
Please talk to one of our instructors if you have questions about starting or continuing with Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish.