Why Study Languages at UCSB?
- Exposure to another culture through its language will position you more favorably for success in your career, whatever career you may choose.
- Studying even one language will dramatically increase your sensitivity to linguistic and cultural differences: it will make you more aware of how you use your own language as well.
- Many people who study languages and cultures are surprised to find the experience transformative. Students of language discover ways of seeing the world that they did not expect.
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Classics Ancient Greek, Latin
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East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies Chinese, Japanese, Korean
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French and Italian French, Italian
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Germanic and Slavic Studies German, Russian
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Religious Studies Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, Tibetan
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Spanish and Portuguese Spanish, Portuguese, Basque
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UC Education Abroad Program Immerse yourself in the study of your language.
Lucas Bricca
Spanish
"Taking Spanish at UCSB opened many doors for me down the line, especially during my study abroad. The professors are great about emphasizing real-world conversation skills and using content that's relevant to students' majors and personal interests."
Vela Reynolds
Latin (CCS Biology)
"As a biology major, I spent a lot of time memorizing scientific names and extremely niche jargon. In its own right, taking Latin has been fun and interesting, but it has also made much of biology and academia feel more familiar."
Joel Perez
Japanese
"Studying Japanese as an undergraduate student opened doors I never expected - it took me across the world to study abroad in Kyoto, Japan... studying a foreign language has changed the way I see and experience the world, and that is why it holds so much value."
John (Jack) Talbott
Professor of History, Emeritus
"Learning a new language activates a part of our minds that otherwise lies dormant -- it is the doorway to a new way of thinking, a different culture, and it allows us to reflect on our own language, culture, and selves."