'Elle''s Page

Thanks to everyone who has been reading and commenting! It's fun to know I have readers, especially that I have ones who actually feel affected by things I write. =)

My major adviser has been dreadful ever since I was assigned to her- would only ask what classes I was taking and shooed me out, was exasperated when ever I asked questions, and never made an attempt to get to know me and prepare me for life after college. Needless to say, I switched advisers. I finally met with my new one, who is a professor that I have had already. He's a French historian and one of nicest old men ever. Anyway, he and I discussed what I am considering doing with my history major. I told him the possibility of business and graduate work in history. He then was able to advise me (yeah, who knew advisers could do that- I sure didn't) as to what I should do if I wanted to be prepared for history graduate work. I need to have a bad ass research paper written from completely primary sources , preferably in the native tongue, and language work (French and or German for European, for example). Well, he asked me what I was considering concentrating in, if I decided to do graduate work. I explained that I still consider European history, perhaps Tudor England, but that the Middle East has captured my interest the most since my work here in history at my university. Well he liked the whole Middle East idea because European is a lot more competitive and my grades were good but not that good because of my first semester. But, he said I really need to figure out the whole language thing because Arabic is not taught at here... at least it hasn't been.

On my way out of the building I ran into my Middle East History professor- who is awesome by the way. I discussed what I had spoken to Dr. R about and he told me that he's working with the language department to get Arabic taught next semester. Furthermore, he said if I was interested in study abroad programs in Arabic countries to let him know... which would be awesome. So I am pretty excited.

However, there is one hard decision left to make. My Middle East professor is teaching a class on the Byzantine Empire that will be able to let me write that paper that would be perfect to submit to graduate school, if I decided to go for it. Unfortunately, it is at the same time as the Tudor England class that is only offered every two years... so next time would be Fall of 2010 (after I have graduated). The reason I am torn is that I have loved Tudor England all my life (seriously all my life). I know a lot but I've never had it taught to me. However, I know the special topics course on the Byzantine Empire will be very interesting too... and possibly instrumental in my admission to Graduate school. Anyone have any advice?

On another note, I feel I have to pat myself on the back a bit. I mean, I never would have thought coming in to college that I would ever consider concentrating in Middle Eastern History. It's not that I have anything against the area of the world, I probably am more open minded about the people and the religion than most people I know, it's just we don't get taught that history in primary or secondary education. I am still surprised that it interests me as much as it does. However, it is so relevant to what is going on today that I think learning the history and teaching other is so important because of that fact. If the U.S. wants to play the big brother role to the Middle East, helping it out of its "Third Worldism," I think the U.S. should learn about the area or it won't understand how to fix the problems. Samuel Johnson explained it well when he stated, "The present state of things is the consequence of the [past]…to neglect the study of history is not prudent: if we are entrusted with the care of others, it is not just."