Already Checking Things Off My Bucket List

I have been an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal for many years. After watching my mother's letters to the editor be published, I resolved to one day see my name in the paper as well. However, I did not think I would achieve my goal so soon.

Last week, an article was written in the opinion section arguing that schools should replace traditional language education with computer science. My experiences both in computer science as a software developer for my robotics team and in language as an exchange student in China put me in a fabulous position to comment on the article.

I believe computer science is important. In fact, I think all students should be required to take a programming class seeing that programming is rapidly becoming an integral part of most industries. However, taking foreign language out of the curriculum would be a monumental mistake.

Learning a language stretches the mind in unique ways. While studies show it improves memory, staves off dementia and even increases proficiency in your first language, I personally believe the greatest benefits of studying foreign languages are those which are least capable of numerical measurement.

Engaging a foreign language has allowed me to form many valuable personal relationships. These connections as well as the increased global awareness I have gained are irreplaceable.

I expressed these thoughts in my letter to the editor which is pictured below:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/codings-good-but-ephemeral-language-isnt-1500913114

Thank you to the Journal for this incredible honor. Here's to knocking many more items off my bucket list this coming year in Taiwan!