Going to a school with a diverse foreign language department is convenient when it comes to having to choose what language to study. You will be taking this language for 2 years since the College requires 4 semesters in order to complete general education requirements, so it is a decision you should make carefully.
Currently, I am taking Latin and I personally think it is the best foreign language anyone could take. There are so many upsides to taking a dead language that people don't really think about. For example, if you want to go to another country one day, you know the base of most languages. Since starting this language, I have learned so many words and finally understood and connected many words to one of the other languages.
In High School, I took Spanish and I HATED it. It would not stick in my head and I could barely pass it. Now, looking back at what I learned then, I am understanding so much more. It is somewhat helpful that I took Spanish because I can connect some words that I just know (most are useless since I couldn't put them in a sentence, but it does help).
Overall though, Spanish hasn't helped me. Plus, I don't plan on going somewhere that speaks Spanish. So unless you plan on going to a place where the inhabitants speak Spanish or on using Spanish to eavesdrop on natural Spanish speakers, I don't think it is all that helpful.
So far, with not even a full semester of Latin, my English has improved. I'm finally understanding the parts of speech that aren't completely pounded into our heads when we most needed it.
With really any major or field that someone goes into, Latin will help a lot. Not only will you know several root words but it will help people even more that are in the medical field. You know why? Because LATIN IS FREAKING AWESOME AND HELPS EVERYONE. It is the helping language of ALL languages!!
Also, you get to read things that are in real Latin — poems and articles and phrases found on buildings. Another cool bonus of studying Latin is being able to see Latin artifacts and statues and maybe one day when you see them in person, you will know all about them. You could also educate others, perhaps tourists that don't know their facts.
Yes, it is a lot of work because not many people speak Latin, but if you take a certain amount of classes in Latin, you can receive an A.B. degree in the Latin language. That degree is a Bachelor of Archaeology, and all you have to do is complete the extended Latin classes.
I don't think that could be any cooler because the extra Latin classes also count as humanities that are needed for the general education requirements. Not many people that graduate from the College of Charleston are able to say they got a degree in what their actual major is and also have an Archaeology degree just for taking Latin.
RANDOM FACT: Rome is named after Reme and Romulus, they were brothers and one died and Rome took its name from both of the brothers. If you want to know which one died, take Latin.
