Responding to community demand, the Northern Nevada International Center is offering two Arabic classes this fall.
After quickly filling a level one class in the spring, director Carina Black said the center is offering a level one and level two course, designed for university students who are interested in careers in foreign policy or international affairs.
“A large number of students interested in international affairs recognize that knowing Arabic is key to getting on to a career at the State Department, CIA -- any career dealing with foreign policy,” she said. “If you can show you have an understanding of the language, your chances of landing a job exponentially gets better.”
Joaquin Roces, a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno, is one of those students. As an international affairs major with a focus on the Middle East, Roces said it is crucial he speak Arabic.
“My long-term goal is to work for the United Nations in the Middle East in some capacity,” he said. “The course was wonderful.”
By the end of the semester, Roces said he could write the Arabic alphabet, have simple conversations and order from a restaurant menu.
Six people have enrolled for the classes, scheduled Sept. 10 to Dec. 14, Black said. Structured like a university course, the instructor wants to teach no more than 20 students per class.
Any study of Middle Eastern politics must include learning Arabic to see the relation to culture, Black said.
“Language is representative of what culture means,” she said.
