Jana Anderson

I'm in the Global and Area Studies program here at MSU, and my concentration is in International Development. I've always had an interest in studying other cultures; their history, religion, etc...but especially language. I wanted to study Arabic for several reasons, some of them being its relevence in global politics and economic issues, the challenge of a new language outside the romance languages with a new alphabet, and an interest in Arab and Islamic cultures throughout Africa, and the Middle East. The ALIF Program is perfect for me because it allows me to study in my primary program, but also allows me opportunities while I study Arabic that I wouldn't usually have, like free tutoring, a scholarship, and opportunities to study abroad in Alexandria, Egypt. It can be hard to find employment with a Social Science degree, and I believe a proficiency in Arabic will give me an edge in the job market after graduation.