year out

[magicdice]

in october i'm going to start a maths degree, i'm also do french A-level and love that, what's the advice on spending a year of my degree in a french-speaking country? would future employers see it as a good thing, or would i just be wasting a year of my time?

unfortunately i only have this option with my insurance choice of uni but if i do end up there, which i probably will, is it a good use of a year?

[ursula62]

These days many employers want people with excellent language skills, so keeping up your French is a good idea, whether or not you decide to do a year of your degree at a French Uni.

If you do decide to go that way, you will need to work on specialist technical vocabulary, slang and jargon so you can keep up with the others on the course when you're studying in France.

[Skithepowder]

I think that most employers look up on that as an excellent skill, especially multinational companies or companies dealing with other foreign companies. Something like that on your CV can be the thing that makes you stand out as the better person. If you reckon you can hack it dealing with the language, as ursula said specialist vocab, slang etc id say its definitely worth it. Plus it would probably be a really cool interesting experience for you anyway.

[ian.miller]

Agreed with both of them.

You gain on every level, professionally you get a great "deal closer" on a CV of having languages, plus it sets you out as someone that accepts a challenge. On a personal one you get to have new and varied experiences that people who don't take it up miss out on.

Plus, languages are a great thing to have for holidays etc, regardless - it definitely can't hurt your prospects.../

[magicdice]

well i currently have warwick uni in mind as my second choice, so if i fail STEP miserably then i'll definitely be headed off to france for an intercalated year. failing that, i guess i could always get a summer job abroad. thanks for the answers, guys