Study asian studies abroad

Asia is the world’s largest continent and one of it’s most fascinating. It’s home to almost 60% of the global population and is recognized as the world’s fastest-growing economic region. Enrolling in an Asian studies program gives you the chance to discover more about this global powerhouse.

You’ll take classes in everything from Asian history, literature, and art, to politics, religion, and business. You’ll also work towards mastering one Asian language, like Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean. The linguistic and cultural fluency you’ll develop will prepare you for an array of exciting international careers.

Studying abroad is one of the best ways to learn about the beauty and diversity of Asia. Although textbooks, photos, and videos are great introductory resources, they’re no substitute for first-hand experience and daily interactions with Asian citizens.

You can study an Asian studies BA over a minimum of three years. However, most undergraduate programs take four years to finish because students are required to complete a sandwich year in Asia.

You can also take Asian studies as one half of a joint honors course. Students often choose to pair it with related disciplines like politics, history, or international business. This means you can tailor your degree to suit your interests and career ambitions.

If you choose the US as your undergraduate study abroad destination, you’ll probably major in Asian studies. In keeping with the American liberal arts model of education, you’ll take two years of general education classes before starting major-focused modules in the remaining half of your degree.

If you’re still hungry to learn more after finishing your bachelor’s, graduate-level study options are available. MA programs normally require one year of full-time study or two years of part-time learning. Research-focused doctoral degrees will add between three and six years on top of this.

Your timetable will largely consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and language workshops. Assessment methods depend on the module, but written and oral exams, essays, presentations, and group projects are common. Here’s a list of some of the core classes you’ll likely take:

• Introduction to Asia
• Languages of Asia
• Economic development in the Asia Pacific region
• Asian politics
• Asian religion
• The history of Asia
• Asian literature
• Issues in contemporary Asia

Asian studies students graduate with a range of diverse and exciting career prospects. You could apply your cross-cultural awareness and language skills to areas like journalism, international diplomacy, tourism, business, and education.

Although your potential job options are endless, these are some of the roles most commonly pursued by graduates:

• Interpreter/translator
• Immigration officer
• Foreign correspondent
• Travel writer
• International policy advisor
• International marketing specialist
• International logistics manager
• Teacher

Whether you’ve got a specific career path in mind or not, it’s useful to participate in some work experience related to your degree. Placements and internships are a great way to try out different job roles, make professional contacts, and boost your employability.