School question

[gio]

I have to choose between subjects and I don't know which to pick. I have to choose in October, but months pass quickly. Last year I picked the subjects one day before the final term of sending the papers with the subjects chosen, because I've said that I have time. If I send just a day later I had to pay a penality.

So, I have to choose three exams of history. I already decided for History and Institutions of the United States. So, I have to decide for another two between History and Institutions (H and I) of the Soviet Union, H and I of Eastern Europe, H and I of South Asia, H and I of Latin America.

About languages I have to choose another language between Spanish, German, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese or Arabic. I'll go for Spanish, because is easier for an Italian. But others could be interesting too. And not a lot of people speak Japanese or Russian. So speaking those languages can be useful for jobs.

I've spoken with my friends and they say that the classes of history are all very interesting. The teacher of H and I of South Asia is a little bit odd. But other than that I'm interested in all the classes. Which do you think is more interesting, based on your experience?

Please help!!!

 

[SeaniBu]

Regarding Language only.

Not that I really believe you will listen to me , but IMO Russian will be more in demand as far as a job would go. For almost every person I have met from Japan speaks English on a relatively good level already. The level of fluency of Japanese would be very high for there to be a demand for that position. It would be harder to find a job looking for a Japanese trans unless you were extremely fluent. JMO

I maybe wrong, but that is my experience and THOUGHT.

 

[Tonichelle]

Russian History would be fun ( normally don't venture far from either the 'ancient civs histories' or the American histories... just because it's what interests me)

as far as language - I'm partial to German, but that's because that's my family's heritage (not that any of my family speaks it lol)...

I always find that if I choose subjects that interest me, I do a whole lot better than if I just do them because i 'have to' (like the sciences and mathmatics, could care less about those subjects lol) so my suggestion is do what interests you as far as histories go... maybe even language but some are harder than others to learn, so you also have to take into account how much time/energy you're going to be able to committ to it.

 

[Ptichka]

Russian is an extremely difficult language to learn. Given the choice, I'd probably go with Arabic.

 

[Spun Silver]

Arabic for sure. The West has got to be able to communicate with Arabic-speaking Muslims. On every level.

Latin American history could be fascinating esp. in conjunction with US history. Another area of rising geopolitical importance right now. But I'm speaking as one interested in politics, not a student of history.

 

[gio]

As for languages the easier choices are Spanish and Portuguese, but I think that those two languages I can learn by myself, because are very similiar to Italian.
I agree that Russian is difficult, but I think that Arabic is even more difficult.
At the end I think I'll go with Russian or German. Three foreign languages are a lot, also because this year I study advanced English and French as compulsory.

Toni- I don't like maths and sciences too. I was always bored with 'em in high school. This year at university it is statistics (compulsory subject) that gives me serious trouble.

Spun Silver - I study international relations, so I'm also interested in politics. Next year we have three history subjects and one language subject of choice, the other 6 are compulsory subjects (law, economics and sociological subjects).

Soviet Union history and Latin American history could be interesting, because they're linked with United States history. So I'll have three subjects that are linked.
Cold War is the period that interests me the most.
It's a pity that I have to choose just three histories and I have to do compulsory subjects such as economics, that I don't really like.

 

[Spun Silver]

It sounds like you're taking your studies very seriously. So many students fail to realize what a unique opportunity those years at college/university are. Good luck! May your studies open many doors for you.

 

[gio]

It sounds like you're taking your studies very seriously. So many students fail to realize what a unique opportunity those years at college/university are. Good luck! May your studies open many doors for you.

Thanks Spun Silver for the support!!!
The opportunity to study at the university is the biggest gift my parents gave me. I would really like to finish those studies in time (it's in 5 years, now I'm in the second year) and find a good job. Last year went in a good way and this year is going also. The subjects are though, but when you find the rythm it becomes a little bit easier.