Ninabella Arlis (C’26) is a junior who pursues a joint diploma between the College of Arts and Science and the McDonough School of Business. Originally from Illinois, she loves journalism, pickleball and theater.
Summer even before putting my feet on the hill, I already had problems with commitment to my major. Make no mistake, as a French adult, I was super excited to start taking language courses at the college level. I had dreamed of all my life to speak fluently. However, I also knew that I wanted something else to join him. But what?
In July, I received an answer in an email announcing a new joint diploma between the College of Arts & Sciences and the McDonough School of Business. The major: International business, language and cultureor IBLC for short. 
I had plans on how to dive more in French: join the French cultural association,, Live on French groundMaybe even abroad. But I was attracted to this new path, which would be based on my passion for the language and would serve as a guide to apply it at the intersection of business and culture. As one of the first students to continue the IBLC, I saw the opportunity to help shape what this major could become while preparing an international career.
I transmitted the email to my mother, who replied: “I love this idea!” I did it too. But the path to IBLC was not so simple.
First of all, I had to submit a major request, which is not available for potential students before the spring semester. However, there is no fear of being late, because the program is designed so that students start the second -year business. This does not mean that no preparation is required – interested students are encouraged to take courses in language, economics and mathematics to show their preparation for the program. This meant that I had to be intentional about my first year lessons if I wanted to do a convincing file for admission.
In this spirit, I signed up for French people and intensive economy while looking for parascular schools that would support my international interests. I joined the European section of The carA student publication dedicated to international news. These choices helped me confirm what I already suspected: I wanted to study the intersection of business and global culture.
Getting involved in a whole new major was an act of faith. There was no higher class to ask for advice, no paths of former students well used to follow and no long -date traditions on which rely. But that is also what made him so exciting. The choice of IBLC meant being part of something innovative: to shape a new academic path and take a chance on an education adapted to the evolving global landscape. It was new, yes, but it meant it was appropriate.
The unique character of the IBLC was a large part of its appeal. Unlike traditional corporate programs, he stressed that cultural language and literacy as just as important for the financial meaning. In a world where business is more interconnected than ever, understanding different markets through more than numbers is essential. The structure of the major – allowing students to mix the principles of the company with regional expertise – seemed to be a perfect academic adjustment for me.
When I received my acceptance, I knew I had made the right choice. The interdisciplinary nature of IBLC means that my classes cover different schools in Georgetown, allowing me to get involved with a diverse range of teachers and students. In one semester, I could balance flow rates and credits in a class, then discuss daily French -speaking titles in another.
IBLC is not only to learn how the business works – it is a question of understanding Why He exploits the way he does so in different cultural contexts. As a person who has always been fascinated by the intersection of words, history and trade, I found a house at IBLC.
For anyone who feels uncertain about his major, my advice is as follows: follow what excites you. Sometimes the best academic paths are the ones you help create.