dghazer wrote:
I am contemplating finally putting some real effort into learning mandarin chinese. I have been toying with the idea for a year and my decision to apply to bschool has motivated me to get moving with this. I am thinking that I would like to work internationally after school in se asia and I need to get started if my plans do actually take me there.
I am curious as to what you guys think this may add to my app. or if this is really not that big of a deal considering how many international students speak multiple languages. By the way, I am an American who speaks English only and is looking into American schools in the elite cluster.
mandarin is a great language, if tough to learn. i think it would be a really enriching experience for you.
that being said, if your primary goal is to get into b-school, then you should focus on that. your time might be better spent on shoring up and weak spots in your profile than on mandarin. for example, if you have a low GMAT score, knowing some mandarin is not going to help you overcome that weakness. i don't know what your profile looks like, but it is something to think about.
also, i caution people about the kind of commitment involved with learning tonal languages if you only speak western languages. not only does it require you to learn a whole new system (not that easy), but you have to keep it up. if you stop practicing for even 6-12 months, you will lose quite a bit. i am not sure it is really worth it to learn the language unless you plan to work in China or have some other way of keeping it fresh.
anyway, here is some mandarin to get you started:
"wuh fang pi' -- I farted
or if you want to blame it on someone else:
"wuh boo fang pi. neena?" -- I didn't fart, did you?