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Campus TourGerman
Global understanding, professional success, personal growth – a few reasons to study German.
At Fort Lewis, you can earn a minor in German or a student constructed major in German. In today’s global environment, the knowledge of other languages and cultures is an absolute necessity.
While learning German, take this opportunity to spend at least a semester or summer session abroad. Language matters.
In studying German, consider that –
Similarity to English-- English and German are related Germanic languages, which means there are considerable similarities between them.
German in the World Market -- German is one of the most important languages for trade and business in the European market. German is especially important for communicating with Eastern European countries.
Usefulness of German -- German is spoken by more than 124 million people world-wide: in Germany, Austria, portions of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and northern Italy (Tirol).
DID YOU KNOW THAT . . .
• German is an official language at many international conferences
• More than 600 companies from Germany have subsidiaries in the United States with many thousand employees
• More than 700 American companies do business in Germany
• For most scientists at least a reading knowledge of German is essential
• 1.8 of every ten books published in the world are published in German
CAREER ADVANTAGES OF KNOWING GERMAN
Learning German opens up opportunities and careers that did not even exist a generation ago. Knowing German can help you find a career. Consider career possibilities in the following areas:
International Transportation - flight attendant, pilot, travel agent, tour guide, hotel manager
Communications - foreign correspondent, reporter, film maker, translator, interpreter, publisher, literary agent, overseas operator, public relations agent;
Business, Foreign Trade and Banking - banker, international lawyer, export manager, overseas sales representative, fashion buyer, marketing analyst, international consultant, stock broker.
Science and Technology - nuclear engineer, oceanographer, chemist, geologist, cartographer, geneticist, bio-physicist, biochemist, energy researcher, astrophysicist, computer specialist.
Teaching and Library Services - language and literature teacher, science teacher, historian, sociologist, research librarian, professional musician, musicologist.
Why study a foreign language?
You will be on equal footing with people from another culture if you know their language. The most important reason to study another language is for your own growth as a person. Most people who have had the opportunity to live in another culture and learn another language will tell you that the experience changed their lives profoundly.
The study of a foreign language has always been an integral part of what it means to be educated. Your multi-lingual, multi-cultural view of the world will expand your perspective, your ability to really understand global events and interactions, even if you never leave the United States.