The Education Abroad Office has announced an upcoming Study Abroad 101 session, happening online on January 7. From their myUMBC post: 

Study Abroad 101 is the first step to studying abroad at UMBC! Attend this session to learn the basics such as different program options, study abroad scholarships, and how to find programs through our website.

If you've been contemplating Study Abroad, but aren't sure how it works, where to go, or how to fund it, this is a great opportunity to answer those questions! 

Visit the Study Abroad Office's myUMBC post for the sign-up link.

It's a busy time of the semester and year, and there's a lot happening on campus! Before you dive into studying for finals, be sure to see below for the latest Asian Studies news. 

Winter 2025 Registration Continues

As your Fall 2024 classes wind down over the next few weeks, you may want to turn your attention to the Winter session. Winter courses offer a great opportunity to catch up or get ahead of the 30 credits per year pace to maintain in order to graduate in four years. You can view the entire Winter 2025 course offering list, and learn more about how to register, on the Winter session website. 

Dr. Kim is offering ASIA 300: Topics in Asian Studies (Modern East Asia) as an online, asynchronous course this winter. This course examines China, Japan, and Korea from the mid-19th century to the present in terms of their history, politics, society, and culture. Seats are still available; check out the attached flier for more information! 

Summer Study Abroad Opportunity: Japan

Dr. Oakes is leading a study abroad trip to Japan this summer! UMBC's Faculty-Led Study Abroad is a great opportunity to add a study abroad experience to your studies without needing to worry about fitting it in with your other academic plans. 

The three week Art and Power in Japan program will visit some of Japan's most historic cities and sites, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima. Participants will learn not only about the historic importance of these places and the art and architecture there, but will also explore their relevance to Japanese culture today. 

Learn more about Dr. Oakes's trip, and how to apply for it, on the Education Abroad portal. The deadline to apply is February 14, 2025, which will be here much sooner than you think! 

Finals are Coming!

The Fall 2024 semester is drawing to a close, and finals will take place soon. Don't miss the library's StudyCon on Reading Day, December 11! Join library staff and community partners for snacks, giveaways, tutoring information, and more, to help you relax and breathe before diving into last-minute studying and preparation! 

Check out the details on the Library's myUMBC page.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

They're calling for snow flurries, or at least "winter precipitation" of some kind, here at the tail end of this week. If you're looking for more winter than a few stray flakes, though, the Shuangfeng Forest Farm in Heilongjiang province, China, may be of interest! Learn more about it in this 2023 Xinhua article. 

Closer to home, there's a lot happening on campus - keep reading for more info! 

International Education Week Events

International Education Week is happening now! If you're interested in study abroad, continuing your studies and research overseas after graduation, or other opportunities outside the United States, there is an event for you! 

Highlights include info sessions about the prestigious U.S. Fulbright Student Program (fully funded long-term opportunities in one of 140 countries around the world, to teach English, conduct research, or earn a graduate degree); the table fair to learn about a variety of programs (and how to fund them), and more! 

Visit the International Education Week website for more information!

Faculty-Led Study Abroad: Japan, June 2025

Are you thinking about Study Abroad, but aren't sure how to juggle a full semester or academic year at a different school amidst your other plans? Consider a Faculty-Led Study Abroad trip! 

Asian Studies affiliate faculty member Dr. Oakes is leading a trip in June 2025 called "Art and Power in Japan." This special opportunity will give you a chance to gain first-hand experience abroad while also earning academic credits towards your studies at UMBC! 

Dr. Oakes is hosting a virtual info session for the program on Friday - see the attached flier for more details, and feel free to send her an email at <juloakes@umbc.edu> with any questions you might have! 

Spring 2025 Advising Still Available

It's not too late to make an advising appointment with Dr. Vaporis or Dr. Kim for Spring 2025 registration. You cannot add classes to your Spring 2025 schedule until you have advising clearance. Email Dr. Vaporis <vaporis@umbc.edu> or Dr. Kim <kimsy@umbc.edu> for an appointment today - don't wait! 

Winter 2025 Registration Available Now

Students need to take an average of 15 credits per semester (30 credits per academic year) to graduate in four years. Winter can be a great opportunity to catch up or get ahead - and you don't need advising clearance to register for a winter class! 

Learn more about the Winter 2025 session, including course offerings, dates and deadlines, and fees, on the Winter Session website.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Happening Now: International Education Week (see above)
• Thursday, Nov 28: Thanksgiving (UMBC Closed)
  
• Friday, Nov 29: American Indian Heritage Day (UMBC Closed)
• Tuesday, Dec 10: Last Day of Classes; last day for Full Semester Withdrawal
• Dec 11-18: Finals

[thumbnail image description: a view over the snowy streets and rooftops of China's Shuangfeng Forest Farm. Bright red lanterns hang from lampposts along the streets.]

If you are a currently enrolled UMBC undergraduate or graduate student interested in a year of research, study, or teaching in more than 140 countries around the world, attend this special Fulbright U.S. Student Program information session during International Education Week.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, funded by the U.S. State Department, allows graduating seniors, currently enrolled graduate students, and recent alumni to study, research, or teach for a year throughout the world. For more information on the program, check out the Fulbright website at <us.fulbrightonline.org>.

You can email Dr. Brian Souders, UMBC's Fulbright Program Advisor, with questions at <souders@umbc.edu>.

To register for this special information session, co-sponsored by UMBC and the U.S. Student Fulbright Program, head to the link below:

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 5:00 PM-6:15 PM EST

https://apply.iie.org/register/GPS1

**This information has been cross-posted from the Global Studies myUMBC page.

The days are shorter now, and a bit colder, but campus remains lively and exciting as ever for Asian Studies students. Here are a few events, dates, and deadlines of interest for you in the coming weeks: 

Spring 2025 Advising and Registration

Did you forget to sign up for advising for Spring 2025, and you still need your registration clearance? Never fear - Dr. Vaporis and Dr. Kim can meet with you during their normal office hours to assist you with any questions you might have! You can reach them by email (click their names above) to schedule an appointment. 

New Spring 2025 Course - ASIA 300: Asia Pacific Worlds

Still looking for an elective for the coming Spring semester? Consider signing up for Dr. Thornburg's ASIA 300: Asia Pacific Worlds! 

Explore the histories, experiences, representations, and contemporary issues of the islands and archipelagos connected by the Pacific Ocean—from Hawaiʻi, the Philippines, and Japan to Vietnam, the Marianas, and Indonesia.  Using a variety of texts and genres—such as graphic novels, memoirs, and guidebooks—we will think about the connections, exchanges, and movements between that knit this region together from a "Global Asias" perspective, examining migration, diaspora, identity, colonialisms, popular culture, and tourism. 

The class is filling up fast - register today, don't miss your chance!

International Education Week is Coming!

Study abroad and other international experiences can provide life-changing opportunities for you to connect your interests with people and places around the world. International Education Week brings many of those experiences and opportunities to campus for you in a whirlwind of events ranging from information sessions to table fairs and guest speakers. 

You can learn more about International Education Week on the Center for Global Engagement's website. A few events may be of particular interest for ASIA students and may require pre-registration: 

• Monday, Nov 18, 4:30pm: Meet Maryland's Director of International Affairs
• Monday, Nov 18, 7:30pm: Fulbright English Teaching Program/English Language Fellows Program Virtual Info Session
• Tuesday, Nov 19, 5pm: Fulbright Hays Info Session
• Wednesday, Nov 20, 7pm: The English Program in Korea (EPIK) Info Session

Additional details about these programs are available on the CGE website as well as the attached flier. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

As the leaves begin to change here on campus and the weather finally gets a bit cooler, we're highlighting some of the upcoming deadlines, important dates, and other things happening in Asian Studies!

Spring 2025 Advising: Soon!

Spring 2025 advising and registration is coming soon! Dr. Vaporis and Dr. Kim are looking forward to meeting with Asian Studies majors and have set up Calendly schedules for advising appointments later this month. 

The Spring 2025 schedule will be available online on Oct 21 (two weeks from now), and students can register for classes as early as Oct 29. Get ready for your registration window now with three easy steps:

1. Look at your Degree Plan on myUMBC to determine what classes you still need to complete for your degree program. 
2. Do you have an account hold? Holds can be placed for many reasons, and will often prevent you from registering for classes. You can check your student account status on myUMBC; if you do have a hold, contact Student Business Services for assistance with resolving it so that you can register! 
3. Sign up for an advising appointment! Our website has all the details you'll need. 

Winter 2025 Registration Begins Oct 14!

January will be here before you know it. Consider signing up to take a Winter Session course! Many are offered online or in a hybrid format, and this year, three of them are of particular interest for Asian Studies students: 

• ASIA 300: Modern East Asia - Prof. Kim - online/asynchronous
• HIST 381: From Samurai to Salariman: Japanese History Through Film and Literature - Prof. Vaporis - online/asynchronous
• MUSC 230: Musics of the World - Prof. Purdy - hybrid (main campus)

Study Abroad Scholarships Available!

Are you planning to study abroad in Asia in 2025? Asian Studies has a limited number of $1000 scholarships to help offset some of those costs! 

This opportunity is available to Asian Studies majors and minors. 

Apply by Nov 1 for Spring 2025, or February 10 for Summer/Fall 2025. More information, including the application form, is available on our website. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Interested in study abroad, but not sure how to fund your travel? If you are a U.S. citizen and receive a Pell grant, you may be eligible for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship!  

The Education Abroad office is hosting several information sessions - some online, some in-person - to help students learn more about this exceptional program. Information about the Thursday, Sept 19 in-person session is available on myUMBC; if you're not able to attend in-person, online information sessions will also be held at noon on Wednesday, Sept 18 and Monday, Sept 23. 

Visit the Education Abroad office's myUMBC page for information about these and other helpful study abroad-related opportunities on campus this fall! 

The WInter Session is wrapping up and Spring 2024 is just around the corner. We hope that you've had a productive, relaxing January, and are looking forward to welcoming you to campus next week, whether you're returning or just joining us for your first semester! 

Winter Welcome Week 2024

Check out some of the special events taking place around campus next week as part of Winter Welcome Week 2024! From breakfast socials and opportunities to visit and chat with organizations and offices around campus to basketball games and the returning favorite Big Breakfast with Bingo, there's something for everyone on the schedule! Learn more on the Winter Welcome Week website. 

Gilman Study Abroad Scholarships - Application Open

Have you thought about study abroad, but wonder about how to pay for it? If you receive Pell grants as part of your financial aid, or are the child of an active duty service member in the military, the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship program may be just the thing for you! 

The Gilman scholarships award up to $8000 to support study abroad for students with demonstrated financial need. UMBC's Education Abroad Office will host several information sessions about the program in February - be sure to attend! The Gilman scholarship application deadline is March 7! 

Other Study Abroad Opportunities - Start Planning Now!

If the Gilman program isn't a good fit, but you still want to consider study abroad this summer, or for some or all of the 2024-25 academic year, start planning now! The Education Abroad office has created a useful road map of the steps you'll need to take to plan the perfect study abroad experience - check out their myUMBC post today, and contact them for more information!

Internships Available - Maryland Public Service Scholars

Do you have any plans this summer? Consider applying for one of the Maryland Public Service Scholars Program's summer internships!  These paid opportunities give students a chance to explore careers in government agencies and nonprofit organizations and make a difference in the lives of Marylanders. 

Applications for this competitive program are due March 1 - and more information is available at one of the Program's information sessions. 

Upcoming Important Dates and Deadlines

The semester is hurrying along, and October is in full swing this week. So much is happening on campus and elsewhere - here are some highlights. 

Homecoming This Week! 

UMBC celebrates Homecoming 2023 all week this week, from Oct 8-14. You can find a listing of all the exciting events taking place as part of the festivities - from this weekend's Carnival to a Lego competition - on the Homecoming website. 

Spring 2024 Registration is Coming! 

The Spring 2024 schedule of classes will be available online on October 23, and registration begins on October 31. Visit our website's Advising Info page for more details, and stay tuned for additional information regarding advising appointments and a list of Spring 2024 classes that will count towards your Asian Studies major, minor, or certificate goals. 

Remember that only students who have clearance from their advisor will be able to add classes to their schedule during the registration period. 

Consider the Critical Language Scholarship Program 

Have you been thinking about study abroad for Summer 2024? Consider the Critical Language Scholarship Program! This prestigious program provides students with an opportunity for immersive, intensive language study abroad. Several virtual sessions this month will give students information about the various options the program offers, including an info session for the Chinese language program taking place today at 1pm. 

For more information, including links to the virtual sessions, visit our myUMBC post.

Save the Date - Guest Speaker Event - Dr. Yunwoo Song, Wednesday, Nov 1

Asian Studies is pleased to welcome American University's Dr. Yunwoo Song to campus for a special lecture event. Dr. Song will give a talk titled "Why Be Moral? Confucian Perspectives on the Origin of Morality," which will explore the significance of Confucian discourse on human nature and consider some philosophical problems that arise from these views. 

The talk will take place in the Library Gallery on November 1, at 1pm, and will be followed by a reception with light refreshments. We hope to see you there! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• All week - Homecoming [see above] 
• Ongoing/various: CLS program info sessions [see above]
• Oct 23 - Spring 2024 Schedule available online
• Oct 31 - Spring 2024 registration appointments begin