Here we offer some basic information about study abroad possibilities for UMBC students in Asia. For more detailed information, please visit UMBC’s Education Abroad website, and carefully read the materials for prospective students. Of course you are most welcome to speak to the Asian Studies Program Director as well about study abroad. In reading the materials, please pay particular attention to the requirements for each program, as these vary widely.
A. China and Hong Kong B. Japan C. Korea D. Taiwan E. India
A. China and Hong Kong
1. ISEP A non-profit educational community dedicated to helping students overcome the financial and academic barriers to study abroad. From the mountains of North India to Indonesia’s thousands of islands, ISEP offers programs in ten different countries. Practice your Chinese language skills in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan. Indulge in the food, lively cities and coastlines of Thailand or Vietnam. South Korea’s blend of modern tech and pop culture with ancient history and tradition provides a dynamic environment for study and leisure. Enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, striking innovation and culture of Japan while studying in one of the country’s many unique regions.
2. IFSA They believe that study abroad should be within reach of every student, so they offer a wide range of scholarships and funding opportunities for all of their participants.
3. CET Academic Programs CET awards $400,000 in scholarship awards each year. As a part of its commitment to Generation Study Abroad, CET makes every effort to provide awards to deserving students. Decisions are based on financial need, and scholarship awards are intended to encourage study abroad by helping to alleviate financial burden.
B. Japan
1. J.F. Oberlin University A private four-year university located in Machida, a suburb of Tokyo. Its Reconnaissance Japan Program (http://www.obirin.ac.jp/en/rj/index.html) is for exchange students from overseas partner institutions (UMBC is one of them). Students may participate in this program for either a single semester or an academic year; it offers Japanese language skills and training courses from the introductory to advanced levels. A wide variety of culture and civilization courses on Japan taught in English are also offered each semester. UMBC receives a special tuition rate. Please see the Director for more details.
3. Council for International Educational Exchange (a UMBC affiliate): Location: Sophia University, Tokyo. Semester, academic year, and summer available.
4. IES Abroad (a UMBC affiliate): Locations: Nagoya and Tokyo. Semester, academic year, and summer available.
5. USAC (a UMBC affiliate): Locations: Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Osaka/Kobe. Semester, academic year, and summer available.
C. Korea
1. International Student Exchange Program Locations: four universities throughout South Korea; Semester and academic year possible.
2. International Studies Abroad Multiple programs and locations from which to choose.
3. Summer Study in Korea: Korea University’s Korean Language and Culture Center Intensive Program (Summer)
4. Summer Study in Korea: Yonsei University’s Yonsei International Summer School
5. Summer Study in Korea: Seoul National University’s Korean Language Education Center
6. Korea University – summer, semester and year programs.
7. Konkuk University – summer, semester and year programs.
D. Taiwan:
1. National Taiwan University (NTU) 國立台灣大學 （台大）
Centrally located at Gongguan MRT stop. There are two options for study at NTU:
- ICLP (Int’l Chinese Language Program): This is the old Stanford IUP program, which moved to Beijing in the 1990s and was renamed the ICLP in Taiwan. It’s an intensive program – unlike all the others, you could not do something else at the same time as you completed this program. Has its own curriculum. Tuition rates are also much higher. Small classes – 3 or 4 students per class, and you take separate hour-long electives in reading, speaking, composition, etc. Also teaches classical Chinese. Traditionally only for more advanced students, but they’ve added a beginner’s section.
- Chinese Language Division Language Center: http://cld.liberal.ntu.edu.tw/en/index.html
This is NTU’s answer to the NTNU/Wenhua Chinese programs, and it follows their model. Classes meet for just under three hours, and are set at beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Uses the curriculum shared by most of the language centers in Taipei.
2. National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) 國立台灣師範大學 （師大）
- Mandarin Training Center: http://en.ntnu.edu.tw
One of the flagship programs for foreign students; they developed most of the curriculum used around the island (including the Practical Audio-Visual Chinese series of books). It’s centrally located near the Taipower Building MRT stop on Hoping (Heping) Road.
E. India:
Some options for India study abroad are:
1. AIFS Study Indian languages and culture studying abroad Hyderabad.
2. USAC The Bangalore (Bengaluru) program provides the extraordinary opportunity to study Indian culture, sociology, and global issues and while volunteering in the local community with fellow students who are interested in contributing and making a difference in their society.
3. IFSA Lean about various topics and experience the culture in Manipul, Varanasi or Pune.
4. Minnesota Learning Abroad Center Study in in Bangalore
5. CIEE Explore Indian culture in a diverse, cosmopolitan city, while taking courses at CIEE’s partner school, University of Hyderabad, as well as at CIEE Hyderabad.
6. University of Wisconsin-Madison Five program from which to choose.
7. SIT Examine India’s socioeconomic development trends and how rethinking development is gaining urgency for shaping a sustainable global future.
SIT’s programs are thematically based, whereas most of the others are either enrollment with local students or island programs with India-specific content plus language study.