Regardless of whether they are heritage learners or not, WPI students can benefit significantly from studying Arabic. According to the World Economic Forum, Arabic is the 5th most important and powerful language in the world; it ranks 4th in geography and in diplomacy, is one of the 6 official languages of the United Nations (UN) and is the official language in 23 countries across North Africa and the Middle East. Learning Arabic distinguishes students in the sense that they learn more about a very diverse and often misunderstood part of the world, they become more familiar with Arab cultures and they expand their career and employment horizons.