ALO Newsletter

Fourth Edition: December 13, 2014 

Featured Member: Albert Waters '16

I’m Albert and I’m in my third year at Elon. I’m majoring in International Studies and have been focusing on Arabic language and culture since my first semester. This led me to study abroad in Jordan during Spring semester of 2014, and will hopefully take me much further in the future. I plan to use my Arabic skills to work in the Middle East; I would love to work with refugees or in security and infrastructure development. I also hope to simply be able to live in the Middle East, enjoying the great culture and food.

ALO Newsletter

Third Edition: November 15, 2014 

Featured Member: Julia Needham '18

Hi! I’m Julia, and I am currently in my first year at Elon. Even though my major in undecided right now, I am very interested in going into environmental engineering. Before coming here, I already knew that I wanted to take Arabic classes. I had previously gone through seven years of Spanish and was ready for something new and challenging (so far, so true). Arabic seemed to be the perfect fit! I am so happy that I decided to take Arabic 121 this semester, and I plan to move up to 122 in the spring. I’m not sure how I will use the language in the future; perhaps I will have the opportunity to study abroad in the Middle East sometime. One thing I do know is that I have never heard so many people say, “That’s so cool!” after hearing that I am taking the class. 

ALO Newsletter

Second Edition: October 27, 2014 

Featured Member: Mike Rossi '17

My name is Mike, and I am a sophomore here at Elon. I am majoring in Political Science and International Studies and minoring in Middle Eastern Studies. I came to Elon knowing I wanted to involve myself in international affairs, so I began taking Arabic to increase my capability of working overseas.  I immediately loved the challenge that Arabic presented, having to learn an entirely new alphabet and continually build upon it. As I became more familiar with the language and Middle Eastern culture collectively, my interests evolved and I chose my majors and minor accordingly. I am not completely certain of where I will end up, but I plan to study diplomacy and policy studies in Amman, Jordan next fall, and I know living in the Arab World will broaden my perspective and help clarify my career path.

ALO Newsletter

First Edition: September 25, 2014 

Featured Member: Sarah Hill '16 

I am an International Studies student with a concentration in the Middle East. My minors are Peace and Conflict Studies and Spanish. I am not really sure how Spanish connects to what I want to do, but I love languages. I have always wanted to be multilingual, and while I have enjoyed all my years of Spanish, I have always wanted to try something more challenging, like Arabic. I have always been fascinated with the Middle East, but I never really thought about it as a major. However, I officially declared International Studies my sophomore because I chose a major that I am passionate about! I signed up for the first level of Arabic because I thought I should know the language of the specific region that I am studying. Now I could not imagine speaking anything else! Arabic class is always the best part of my day and I can't wait to advance in the language. I am planning to study abroad in the Spring of 2015 in Amman, Jordan (I am so excited to go!) and will hopefully continue to study in the Middle East in the future. I am no entirely sure what I want to do with my Arabic, yet, I know I will work abroad after I graduate!