After a long placement test and a difficult oral interview, I was put into the Intermediate Arabic class at Monterey Institute for this summer. I'm satisfied with this. Last summer I was in Elementary Arabic so I've moved up an entire level, and I think that's respectable.
Everybody asks me why I study Arabic. I've never addressed this question on my blog, but today I will. I could give some philosophical reason about not being able to fully understand a culture without knowing the language or a stereotypical reason of wanting to travel to the Middle East, but none of these would be true. The truth is, I study Arabic simply because I like it.
Arabic is a challenging language. It is an entirely different alphabet and contains difficult grammar. I'm never entirely satisfied with my level in Arabic. It's a constant struggle with myself to improve and progress. In my opinion, this is the healthiest relationship someone can have with themselves. When someone becomes comfortable, that is a dangerous place to be. When you're comfortable, you allow yourself to become mediocre and accept mediocrity.
So I might never get to see a camel wander across the desert in Oman or see the waves wash upon the shore of Beirut, but I will continue to study Arabic because it's a constant struggle and is a constant source of growth.
