How Does a Languages, Linguistics Or Area Studies Degree Equip You for Life As a Global

Jennifer Sharratt

How does a languages, linguistics or area studies degree equip you for life as a global citizen? Morning dawns, the daily routine begins. Time to eat. Scottish porridge oats, a splash of Devonshire milk and a dusting of exotic nutmeg simmer together over the stove. A hearty breakfast; it is a futile attempt to quell the sting of the frosty air on my drowsy body. Shall I sneak on the heating? Surely now is an opportune moment to exploit this handy Roman invention? Alas, a student budget does not stretch to this. I pull on a jumper, woven with Angola wool, and slip on shoes, their leather sourced from an Asian tannery. I hurry to the door, key ring twirling around my fingertips, oblivious to the fact that I spin the invention of an American man named Herluf Johnson. It is nine o’clock in the morning, a crisp but sunny day, whilst in Beijing it is five o’clock, only a few hours of light remain. I may not be thinking of those who are mining in Peru, working the fields in Africa or trading stocks in America, but I am inextricably linked to each and every one. Their countries, cultures and environments influence my daily life. So begins my day as a global citizen.

This example, although only a theatrical snippet, is nevertheless a competent way to demonstrate how my life is somehow intertwined with those people who live across the country, or even across an ocean, from me. But how, you may ask, does my German Degree at the University of Nottingham help me to comprehend an existence as a global citizen? How do my studies equip me to live life as a member of a world-wide community? The answer is much simpler than you would imagine: the more you study, the more understanding you gain. It is a simple formula, but one that is succeeding for me. With every lecture I attend, and every debate I enter into, I leave with a deeper understanding of the world around me.

Learning a language is a complex business; it takes a long time to master and an even longer time to feel natural. But the understanding that a student can gain through in-depth study of another culture is unrivalled. Through linguistic, historical and literature studies, I have become exceptionally well acquainted with Germany and its relationship to the rest of the world.

In my first year of study, I opted to study a Dutch module. I learnt about Dutch colonisation and the spread of trade, it was utterly fascinating. When I began my degree, I never thought that I would be in a seminar discussing colonies in the East Indies, or the export of rubber from Indonesia! My degree has opened my eyes to many unexpected topics, and has definitely enlightened me to the world around me. Historically, Germany is a fascinating country to learn about. Its past is interwoven with that of many other countries in Europe, and hearing about these links is another way in which my degree has shown me that we are all connected, we all have common ground.

Studying German literature has been another unforeseen way of helping me to understand life as a global citizen. This year, the second of my four, I have read love poetry from the 20th Century, and discussed Romanticism in great detail. At one point we had Russian, Slovakian and French poems read to us. I could not understand a solitary word. But the point of the exercise was to listen to the words, hear the melody of the rhymes and to appreciate that even with a language barrier, love can still be heard. The session left a great impression on me, the fact that I could feel the anguish in the words made me realise that

1 Jennifer Sharratt we are not all so far removed from one another as we may think. Even with language barriers, it may still be possible for people from opposite sides of the globe to relate to one another – how amazing is that?

In both of my study years so far, I have had the luxury of being able to choose extra modules. Thus far, I have chosen to study a beginner’s course in both Italian and Spanish. In the early stages of language learning the tempo is fast and progress is rapid, so many new words and grammar rules are taken on board. It is a challenge. But something that comes with this challenge is a great sense of achievement: I am on a course to understanding another culture. It is one step closer to life as a knowledgeable global citizen.

It is undeniable that the growth of the media, ease of travel and increased language learning has brought the world closer together, and made international relations easier to uphold. Now, more than ever, being prepared for life as a global citizen is crucial. Nowadays, a tolerant nature and awareness of the world is imperative, and I really believe that studying a languages degree has enhanced my chances of being a successful global citizen.

Knowing a language, and being able to interact with its native speakers is a remarkable experience. You feel as though you are able to become a part of their culture, even if only for a brief period. It is a way to show that you are making efforts to becoming a discerning global citizen, especially when you know the history and literature of that country. Living in a different country is the next stage of improving your cultural awareness.

As I am now in my second year of study, I am in the mid-stages of planning my year abroad. I am confident that the year abroad in Germany will solidify the steps that I have so far taken in becoming a global citizen. The understanding that I will gain from living in a foreign country will undoubtedly prove an enriching and inspiring experience.

How do shoes from Asia possibly relate to verb conjugation? How do exotic spices have a relationship to the imperative tense? Who knows exactly, but somehow they do. Exploration of global citizenship is tougher than you might think. Back home, it’s time for a nap, I lay my head to rest on a soft pillow, it has a little label peeking out: made in China.

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