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A recent poll about foreign language got me thinking about my personal situation. Over the coming summer I will have some free time that I would like to spend towards developing language skills in either Spanish or French.
I would prefer learning French over Spanish because I imagine that in my life not relating to work, French will be of far greater use than Spanish. E.g. when visiting in Quebec or traveling elsewhere. Also, there's the wonderful world of French contemporary culture/entertainment that could then be accessed.
The other reason for this is, of course, trying to slightly enhance my appeal to an adcom.
Relevant personal data:
- native speaker of Ukrainian (and English)
- spent most of my life in Florida, currently studying in south FL, plan on applying exclusively in-state
- vast majority of my direct family lives in Ottawa; some of my family has lived there for over 25 years (since emigrating from Ukraine)
- I lived in Ottawa for five consecutive years and spend most of my summers there
- I am not required to take a foreign language to graduate
- I am a citizen of the US, Canada, and Ukraine
My major concern is that if I do choose French over Spanish, then the adcom will question my dedication to staying in Florida given my personal circumstances.
On the website for the French consulate in Miami there are only 21 Francophone physicians listed in Miami-Dade yet nearly 6% of Miami speaks French/French Creole. Certainly there are more than 21 francophone physicians, but it does look like the Miami francophone community has difficulty in accessing physicians they can easily communicate with.
So, if it comes to me having to defend my dedication to staying in the state, would using something like the Miami francophone example help in alleviating their doubts? Or would the doubts still be there given my other ties to Canada? On a side note, I honestly don't know whether or not I would stay in Miami or move elsewhere.
Thanks for your time and replies.
I would prefer learning French over Spanish because I imagine that in my life not relating to work, French will be of far greater use than Spanish. E.g. when visiting in Quebec or traveling elsewhere. Also, there's the wonderful world of French contemporary culture/entertainment that could then be accessed.
The other reason for this is, of course, trying to slightly enhance my appeal to an adcom.
Relevant personal data:
- native speaker of Ukrainian (and English)
- spent most of my life in Florida, currently studying in south FL, plan on applying exclusively in-state
- vast majority of my direct family lives in Ottawa; some of my family has lived there for over 25 years (since emigrating from Ukraine)
- I lived in Ottawa for five consecutive years and spend most of my summers there
- I am not required to take a foreign language to graduate
- I am a citizen of the US, Canada, and Ukraine
My major concern is that if I do choose French over Spanish, then the adcom will question my dedication to staying in Florida given my personal circumstances.
On the website for the French consulate in Miami there are only 21 Francophone physicians listed in Miami-Dade yet nearly 6% of Miami speaks French/French Creole. Certainly there are more than 21 francophone physicians, but it does look like the Miami francophone community has difficulty in accessing physicians they can easily communicate with.
So, if it comes to me having to defend my dedication to staying in the state, would using something like the Miami francophone example help in alleviating their doubts? Or would the doubts still be there given my other ties to Canada? On a side note, I honestly don't know whether or not I would stay in Miami or move elsewhere.
Thanks for your time and replies.
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