Tonight I’m beginning a two month (and possibly longer) series of classes to learn a new language. I’m travelling to Beverly Hills once a week to learn Mandarin so I can communicate with my girlfriend in the language of the nation of her birth. Although she speaks english well enough to convince anyone that she was born in the US (and has been a citizen for some time) – she was actually born in China and lived there for ten years. She has tried to explain to me a lot of Chinese culture – but obviously much is lost in translation. She is a fascinating mix of Eastern and Western cultures but not speaking her language (pun intended) has been a stumbling block to really understanding the East Side influence. Also since this is the language of her family and her initial upbringing it is probably very close to her heart (which is where I’d like to stay).

Another reason to learn could also be the fact that the Chinese economy is growing faster than a bamboo shoot and being able to speak Mandarin AND have an MBA may come in really really handy to a lot of companies in a few years.

This will be my first foray into academia (if you don’t count that GMAT business) in four years – so wish me luck. It will be my first foray into learning a foreign language in ten years!

Tuition is a bit pricey (one time $150 materials fee and $275 tuition every two months), but when you compare it to a local college the cost is commiserate – and both LAVC and Pierce do not have Mandarin classes.