Applied Language and Intercultural Studies

OneArt · 19-03-2009 12:20AM #1

Hi,

I'm in sixth year at the moment, looking to study German next year. All my of CAO choices involve doing German in some way, from arts in UCD and NUIM to the TSM German courses in Trinity. Anyway, a few months back I went to the DCU open day to take a look at Applied Language and Intercultural Studies. I have to say, everyone involved in it did a brilliant of selling the course to me. I have it down now as my first choice and to be honest, it's the only course I really want to get into.

Anyway I was just wondering, how much content is there within the course? Are the days long and is there a lot to cover? I'm asking this because I don't want to be in college and end up spending half the time sitting on my arse. Furthermore, is it a good course overall?

So far I'm convinced and am praying to Buddha that I'll be heading to DCU next year, but I want to get some feedback from others who have done/are doing it.

Thanks!

OneArt

Shiny · 19-03-2009 11:01AM

My Girlfriend did this course in DCU and like any Arts course the hours are not
long, usually less than 15hours per week + reading in your own time.

Things don't get overly busy until 4th year where you will be spending most of your
time studying whether you like it or not.

Also don't set your heart on finding a job in Ireland once you are finished. Out of the
10 or so girls from the girlfriends class, the majority of them are living abroad.

OneArt · 19-03-2009 06:19PM

Thanks for the feedback.

Well I guess I'll get out whatever I put into it. Overall I'm still convinced and it'll give me a chance to expand my language skills, possibly pick up a new one

.

Furthermore I have no intention of ever living in Ireland again after college. The more opportunities to work abroad for me, the better. It's been my ambition since my family moved here to emigrate :P I know it sounds kind of bad, but after seeing the way the government spends their money, this is one country I do not want to grow old in.

Anyways thanks again.

Germany here I come!

An Citeog · 19-03-2009 09:01PM

I'm in fourth year, doing International Business & Languages (German/Spanish). Basically, I do all of the language modules that you'd do in Applied Languages & Intercultural Studies but do business modules instead of the intercultural ones. Honestly, unless you're dead set on going into translation or becoming a language teacher when you graduate, I probably wouldn't do this course (or any mainly languages degree). If, on the other hand, you see yourself going into translation or teaching, then I'd definitely consider it. If you want to do languages but either of the above professions doesn't really appeal, then combining it with business/law/science/whatever is a good option imo.

As for the course itself, it doesn't really have that many hours and a lot of people make the mistake of just sitting on their arse all day. You really have to put in the effort on your own if you want to make this course worthwhile. If you still have your heart set on it, I'd definitely recommend taking up a second language. I started German in first year in college, without speaking a word of it, did my Erasmus there and would now consider myself fairly fluent. I'm also one of the very few that's kept on a second language in final year.

If you've any more questions just post them here or send me a pm. It'd also be a good idea to email Aine McGillicuddy who's the head of ALIS. She also lectures in German, so you can kinda kill two birds with one stone. Best of luck with it!:)

g5fd6ow0hseima · 22-03-2009 04:47PM

Shiny wrote: »

10 or so girls from the girlfriends class, the majority of them are living abroad.

That pleases me, I love it when people say 'youll have to go abroad to work'

Applied Language and Intercultural Studies

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