The Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA) is pleased to announce that ‘Ambassador’ Scholarships are again being offered to U.S. college students during the summer of 2013.

There is no requirement for proficiency in Chinese language... indeed, the program's aim is to provide opportunities to those who have not experienced a study-aboard program either in China or Taiwan, but are eager to pursue some overseas immersion Mandarin and cultural study. Other requirements include full-time student status, minimum 3.0 GPA, and two letters of recommendation from college professors. Accepted students will be enrolled in the Chinese Language Center at the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU,http://www.ncku.edu.tw  ) in Tainan City, Taiwan. The University is recognized as one of the two top institutions of higher education in Taiwan. The application period ends on Feb. 15, 2013 for early acceptance  and  March 31, 2013 for  general acceptance. Applications can be submitted on line at www.taiwanusalliance.com .

The 2013 TUSA program starts July 1 and ends August 23th.  A stipend of NT $25,000 (US $800) per month for two months (July & August) will be awarded to each scholarship recipient. The scholarship is budgeted to cover tuition, dormitory fees, all program-related travel and excursions, and accident/outpatient health insurance. The program is sponsored by  the  Ministry of Education  in Taiwan,  and a total of 36 ‘Ambassador’ students will be accepted for the 2013 class.                                                                          .                                                                              

Summer Asian Language Fellow, Kalisha Holmes on the Great Wall

The Sigur Center for Asian Studies is pleased to announce grants for language study and field research for Summer 2013. Students with an interest in furthering their Asian language skills or conducting field research in Asia are highly encouraged to apply. All GW BA, MA and PhD students are eligible for Language Grants. Asian Field Research Grants are open to MA and PhD students. Students may apply regardless of nationality. 

All grant applications are due by February 15, 2013. Please find links to application materials and details for each grant below:

Sigur Center Summer Grant for Chinese Language Study in Taiwan 

**Please note that the Sigur Center has substantial funding specifically dedicated to sending students to study Chinese in Taiwan. We strongly recommend that, if you would like to study Chinese abroad, you apply for this grant. If you want to study in China, you must apply for the Asian Language Grant, which has no such specific monies for Chinese language study.**

Sigur Center Summer Grant for Korean Language Study in Korea

Sigur Center Summer Grant for Asian Language Study in Asia

Sigur Center Summer Grant for Asian Field Research

* (MA and PhD students only)

Requirements:
Those selected for these grants must submit four blog posts throughout the course of the program and, during the fall semester, participate in an informal discussion with Sigur Center staff and other grant recipients about your experience abroad. Find a full list of requirements for each specific grant by clicking on the grants above, or visiting the Sigur Center website HERE. 

             Please email gsigur@gwu.edu with any questions.

The Japanese government has allocated scholarships to Waseda University’s School of Asia-Pacific Studies International Relations Program for foreign students to earn their Master's degree in Japan. If you are interested in earning a graduate degree in international relations in Japan, please see the following link for more information: http://www.waseda.jp/gsaps/scholarship/mext_en.html 

(From Top, Left to Right) 

1. A panoramic view of Seoul from Sydni's window

2. Sydni Porter - GWU Junior

3. A Sea of Crimson - Korea University

4. An opposing sea of blue - Yonsei University

Name: Sydni Porter

Grade: Junior, Class of 2014

Major: Asian Studies / Minor: Korean Language and Culture

Hometown: Hinesville, Georgia

Location of Study Abroad: Korea University (Seoul, Korea)

What was your level of Korean before going abroad, and what courses are you taking now at Korea University?

I had finished intermediate II at GWU, and at Korea University, I am enrolled in 1) intermediate Korean I; 2) Beginners Korean Speaking II; 3) Morphology; 4) Environmental Meteorology; and 4) Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea. 

What is it like to attend Korea University?

There is a lot of school spirit at KU and at Yonsei. The two schools are rivals, and every year there are the GoYon games between the two where they compete in several sports (see picture above). 

Have you experienced any cultural/language barrier issues?
I haven’t experienced too many cultural issues. I've been wanting to go to Korea since the 10th grade, so I've done a lot of research on my own and have learned a lot from my GW classes, so I felt pretty prepared. One thing I wish I had known - well I had heard of it before but completely forgot - was about the squat toilets. Most public toilets are squat toilets, which are essentially holes in the floor that you have to squat over and pee into (but like a western toilet, they are also made of ceramic and have handles to flush). It came as a bit of a shock the first time I asked to use the restroom. 

What are some fun things you have done thus far?
1. Visited the War Memorial
2. Toured traditional Korean village
3. Attended the Korea vs Yonsei (GoYon) games
4. Traveled Hongdae and Gangnam
5. Checked out the US Military Base, Yongsan
6. Learning about issues like homosexuality in the Korean film industry in my Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea class.

Please share a memorable moment from your study abroad experience:
My most memorable moment was definitely the GoYon games. There was a sea of red against a sea of blue, all yelling out cheers as they “watched” the soccer game. The cheers are each coordinated to a corresponding song and led by cheering officials. GWU pales in comparison to the school spirit here. The vibe is tremendous, and even though the two sides are rivals, it’s not uncommon to hop over to the sea of blue (Yonsei) and learn their cheers too. Even after the games, the two schools take to the streets of KU or Yonsei and cheer all night long. 

Any advice for those studying Korean right now and considering studying abroad in Korea?

The biggest thing I have noticed from observing other study abroad students is making sure that you can respect Korean culture and appreciate the distinct flavors of Korean cuisine. Yes there are Western eateries, but usually these options don't even taste like real Western food, are too expensive, and more difficult to find. Besides, Korean food is very good for you (minus the salt content). As for respecting the culture, Korean people hold a deep sense of respect for the elderly and those above you in status. I have found the people of Korea to be well behaved no matter what situation, and there is a lot of modesty and stylishness in how they dress (much more so for women). Most of all, make sure you visit as many places as you can; make a plan for each weekend. Keep in mind that businesses in Korea are stacked on top of each other, so it is easy to miss out on some interesting restaurants and bars if you don't pay attention.

Would you say that Korea is still a developing country?

Before I came to Korea, I had to call my bank for some technical things and mentioned to the banker that I was going to Korea to study abroad. As we continued our dialogue, the banker said to me, “Maybe you can get a job while you are there, pulling one of those carts that people sit on. I heard they call those taxis there.” Needless to say, his words made me 38 hot! Obviously, he has never been to Korea or cared to learn about this thriving country. (For the record, all the taxis I have ridden in have been very nice. You can even pay with your subway card, which is more high-tech than the United States.)

It confuses me that South Korea is considered a lesser developed country, often mistakenly paired along with Africa and most other southern hemisphere countries. There are many things in Seoul that surpass anything in the United States: the subway system, while a bit complicated, stretches farther than the DC Metro, and the platforms are considerably brighter and better-maintained than the DC metro and NY subway. Seoul is a leader in technology, and in terms of cell phone variety and capabilities, Korea beats the U.S. by a long run. Koreans also receive free healthcare, and the city is steeped in mix of tradition and westernization. Right by my dorm is a large Buddhist temple, and I have seen the monks using the subway and texting on their cells. I can foresee South Korea playing an even larger role in worldwide politics, especially in retaliation to the ever looming “threat” of a North Korean attack. This fast-paced city is full of national pride and a palpable drive for success. The mood is quite contagious, and I cannot help but look forward to my own future with similar anticipation and excitement. 

Graduate Student Career Development (GSCD) recently received a grant to help defray the costs for students pursuing internships in Asia.  Please consider adding a work experience in Asia to compliment your academic studies at the Elliott School.

Not sure if an internship or work experience will make a difference to employers?

Employers surveyed by GSCD for the Employment Qualifications and Skills Report rated the following qualifications as very important when making hiring decisions:

1)  International experience and contacts

2)  Foreign language skills

3)  Cross cultural competencies and communication skills

Where have previous Elliott School students interned in Asia?  A few examples of the countries/organizations past Elliott School students have interned in Asia:

• The Clinton Foundation-China

• US Department of State – Japan, Vietnam, and China

• UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office-Thailand

• US Commerce Department Foreign Commercial Services-Singapore

• Development Alternatives, Inc.-Cambodia

Graduate Student Career Development is pleased to offer Freeman Foundation competitive grants for up to $4,000 that are available immediately to students that intern in Asia. 

Please log into Elliott School Career Connection (ESCC) and check the Document Library for more information including the application for the Freeman Foundation Fellowship Grant for Internships in Asia.

If you have any questions, please email Angella Griffin, Director, GSCD at agriffin@gwu.edu 

The TUSA Ambassador Summer Scholarship Program is being offered again this year to U.S. college and university students who are interested in studying the Mandarin Chinese language during the months of July and August. The scholarship covers tuition, dormitory fees, four excursions and incidental insurance. Meals are not included and students must provide their own airfare to and from Taiwan.

This program provides a quality Mandarin Chinese immersion program with emphasis on speaking, but also on listening, reading and writing.

In addition to studying at one of Taiwan's top-ranked universities, students learn about Taiwanese culture and will visit several interesting sites to become more familiar with Taiwan and her people. The program has been created with special focus on students without Chinese/Taiwanese heritage, so prior knowledge or experience with the Mandarin language is not needed. Each U.S. student will work with Taiwanese study partners to assist in the language and cultural study program.

The application period for this class of Ambassadors closes 31 March 2012. All applications will be reviewed and reported on by 10 April 2012. Please apply online at:

www.taiwanusalliance.com.

Are you interested studying in Singapore?

The Rajaratnam School of International Students at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore might be of interest to you.

The Elliott School is pleased to offer a new exchange program. This new exchange is ideal for students in security studies, Asian studies, and political economy. RSIS and NTU are among the most prestigious academic institutions in Asia. Applications are due March 15, 2012 for the fall semester abroad (Trimester 1 at RSIS, July to October). For information on this exciting new opportunity, please visit this link.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Asia. The NTU S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) was established in 2006 as an autonomous graduate institution of NTU, with the renowned Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies as a key component.

RSIS is a community of scholars and policy analysts at the forefront of Asia-Pacific security studies and international affairs. Its three core functions are research, graduate teaching and networking activities in the Asia-Pacific region. It produces cutting-edge security related research in Asia-Pacific Security, Conflict and Non-Traditional Security, International Political Economy, and Country and Area Studies. RSIS offers coursework in International Relations, International Political Economy, Asian Studies, and Strategic Studies.

Curriculum: Elliott School graduate students can enroll in courses within the NTU S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
This program offers courses such as:

• Politics and Foreign Policy of Singapore
• Non-traditional Security and Global Governance
• Accounting for Decision-making and Control
• Regional Integration in the World Economy
• Critical Security Study
• Foreign Policy and Security Issues in Southeast Asia

Students should plan to take a minimum of 3 courses per Trimester.
Transfer of Credit: Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner for the Elliott School M.A. program.
» More information on Receiving Credit

Grade B at NTU = Grade B at GW
1 course at NTU = 3 credits at GW
Academic Calendar: Trimester 1: late July – late October
Trimester 2: early November – late February (with one month break)
Trimester 3: early March – early June
Given the differences in academic calendar at RSIS, Elliott School students are advised to study abroad during Trimester 1 or 3.

Depending on the courses selected, the class timings are morning (9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.) or afternoon (2.00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.).

Applications are due March 15, 2012 for the fall semester abroad (Trimester 1 at RSIS, July to October). For information on this exciting new opportunity, please visit http://elliott.gwu.edu/academics/grad/studyabroad/ntu-rsis.cfm

Sponsored by Fo Guang Shan Monastery, the Woodenfish project aims to advance Humanistic Buddhism through a series of projects geared toward young adults. Woodenfish works with them to promote a spiritual, academic, and socially relevant understanding of Buddhism.

The Woodenfish Project is currently offering two programs for undergrdaute and gradaute students:

Woodenfish Taiwan: HBMLP
The Humanistic Buddhism Monastic Life Program (HBMLP) is a month-long program for students and young adults at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan. Participants live as monastics while taking academic classes on Buddhism and participating in traditional practices. The program welcomes participants from all countries, faiths and academic fields.

Woodenfish China: Buddhism in China series
Through the "Buddhism in China" series, the Woodenfish Project aims to aid the development of young scholars in the West with research interests in Chinese Buddhism and related fields by offering them the opportunity for direct, intensive academic engagement with the major historical centers of Buddhism in China.


For more information regarding these two programs, please visit the Woodenfish website at http://www.woodenfish.org/. All expenses are covered by the Woodenfish project, with the exception of international airfare. The application date for both of the aforementioned programs is April 15, 2012.

Do you want to learn the Lao language, Lao history, and Lao culture? What better way to do it than to spend your summer fully immersed in Lao society in Laos!

The Center for Lao Studies (CLS), dedicated to promoting and advancing the field of Lao Studies, is sponsoring its annual year Summer Study Abroad in Laos program (SAIL) in the summer of 2012. During the eight-week program, students will partake in language and cultural lessons at the Lao-American College (LAC), the first private college and the only school founded by an American citizen in the Lao PDR. The students will also have the opportunity to study Lao history and culture, augment their academics with cultural trips throughout the area, and experience volunteering with an international nongovernmental organization (NGO).

SAIL students will be participating in a Lao language program tailored specifically to the group’s needs at one of the country’s most acclaimed (and popular) language institutions – the Lao-American College (http://www.lac.edu.la/). Located in the heart of Vientiane, Lao-American College offers a unique instructional and service program in the effective teaching of Lao. Intensive courses combined with individual language tutorials, diversified field trips, and an experienced on-site staff, make Lao-American an incredible place to study Lao and learn cross-cultural skills. SAIL participants spend three to four hours a day in classroom training and pair up with Lao students to further improve their speaking and listening comprehension. Classroom time is split between language lessons and an elective course (in English) on a Lao-specific topic such as Lao history and culture, the environment, philosophy, or world cultures.

For more information, including program costs, a week-by-week itinerary, as well as how to apply, please visit the SAIL website at: http://laostudies.org/sail. Scholarships are available.

If you are an undergraduate planning to study abroad this summer, please consider applying to this scholarship! Deadline is March 1st, 2012.

Online Application

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.

International experience is critically important in the educational and career development of American students, but it can also require a substantial financial investment. The Gilman Scholarship Program broadens the student population that studies abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. The program aims to encourage students to choose non-traditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The program seeks to assist students from a diverse range of public and private institutions from all 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.

Award recipients are chosen by a competitive selection process and must use the award to defray eligible study abroad costs. These costs include program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance and international airfare.

This congressionally funded program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education through its Southern Regional Center in Houston, TX.

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Award Benefits

Over 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study abroad. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being approximately $4,000.

Students who apply for and receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad are then eligible to receive an additional $3,000 Critical Need Language Supplement from the Gilman Scholarship Program for a total possible award of up to $8,000. During the 2011-2012 academic year, 50 Critical Need Language Supplements were offered to Gilman Scholarship recipients.

Critical Need Languages include:

Arabic (all dialects); Chinese (all dialects); Bahasa Indonesia Japanese Turkic (Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgz, Turkish, Turkmen, Uzbek); Persian (Farsi, Dari, Kurdish, Pashto, Tajiki); Indic (Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, Sinhala, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Sindhi); Korean Russian Swahili

Summer Field Program: Heritage, Tourism, and Development on China’s Ethnic Frontiers

June 10^th – July 1^st, 2012

This program takes GW students into the field to experience firsthand the development challenges faced by state authorities, community leaders, and regular citizens in the interior regions of the People’s Republic of China. As part of a national campaign to ‘Go West’, Chinese authorities have promoted tourism and heritage projects as development tools in marginalized minority areas. The purpose of this program is to learn about these projects and their impact on citizens by traveling overland through the Tibetan cultural frontier area of historic Amdo and Kham.

After arriving in China we will spend five days in Beijing, where we will visit cultural sites in and around the city such as the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the Dongtian Daoist Temple complex. During this time we will also visit the National Minorities University for a discussion of state ethnic policies, and Beijing International Studies University, for a discussion on tourism policies and objectives. After traveling by train to Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province in Northwest China, we will travel overland through the Amdo and Kham regions of historic Tibet. Our first stop will be the Tibetan pilgrimage town of Xiahe, site of Labrang Monastery, a key intellectual center for the Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We will then continue by road to the monastery town of Taksen Lhamo (Chinese Langmusi), located along the Gansu-Sichuan border on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, and then to Jiuzhaigou National Park, in Northern Sichuan province. From Jiuzhaigou we will fly to Xian, the former capital of the Tang Dynasty and site of the Terra-Cotta warrior museum. Our trip will conclude with a return journey to Beijing by train.

Over the course of this three-week field study students will interact with Chinese tourism and heritage scholars, local Tibetan and Han Chinese business owners, Tibetan pilgrims and nomads, and Chinese students. In keeping with the focus of the program, our overland trip will be arranged and hosted by Nomad Travel, a Tibetan-run agency located in Xiahe, Gansu province.

The total fee for this program is $5,432.This includes GWU tuition ($3,679) for three credits), train (soft sleeper class) and air travel within China, all accommodations, site visits, admission fees, travel insurance and most meals. Parts of this journey will be at elevations of 3,000 to 3,500 meters (10,000-12,000 feet), so good health is a must.

The program will be led by Robert Shepherd, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and international Affairs.

For more information, feel free to email him at rshepher@gwu.edu or stop by his office in the Sigur Center for Asian Studies, Suite 503, 1957 E Street.

SNEAK PEAKS at Opportunities to Study Abroad for GW Master’s Students

1) Elliott School Summer Courses
2) School of Business Short-Term Abroad Courses
3) Spring 2012 Human and Organizational Learning Courses
4) Other GW Summer Abroad Offerings
5) The IPSI Institute-Bologna 2012 Program

Elliott School Graduate Summer Courses:

(Details not yet available, dates are estimated)

· IAFF6198, Controversies in Intellectual Property and Investment: Washington, Geneva

· IAFF 6138, Survey Methods in Developing World: Supporting Sustainable Tourism Peru

· IAFF 6186, Non-State Actors: Israel

· ECON 6280, Survey of International Economics, Shanghai

· GEOG 6293, Urban Sustainability and Development: A Field Course in Panama

· ANTH 3705, Heritage, Tourism, and Development on China’s Ethnic Frontiers

GWSB Short-Term Abroad Courses 2011-2012:

• TSTD 6214 & TSTD 6282: Culture and Nature-based Tourism Development in Peru. http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=TourismDevPeru
• MBAD 6286.60 & SMPP 6297.61 EU Strategic Management (France). [4.5 credits] http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=managementEU
• SMPP 6297 Corporate Social Impact: US & UK Policies & Practices [4.5 credits] http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=corporatesocialimpact
• IBUS: Healthcare & Marketing Strategy [4.5 credits]. http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=healthcaresweden
• IBUS 6202 & IBUS 6297: Business and the State: Privatization & Public-Private Partnerships in the United Kingdom [6 credits] http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=EnglandPubPriv

Other GW Summer Abroad Programs:

• WLP 4198, Women's Leadership in the Brazilian Amazon Forest. Prof Patricia Kanashiro. Brazil June 9 to 20
• TSTD 282, Behind the Scenes at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London. Prof Lisa Delpy Neirotti.On campus for 3/21 to 5/2, London 7/27 to 8/5
• PubH 6590.60, Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of India. Prof Amita Vyas. On campus July 5 to 26, India July 30 to August 8.

GW HOL Courses Spring Break 2012:

• HOL 6747 - International and Multicultural Issues in Organizations - The impact of culture and globalization on U.S. and international HOL programs. March 13 - 17, 2012 Beijing, China (3 credits)
• HOL 6704 - Leadership in Organizations - The goal is to expose participants to the various ways in which leadership has been conceptualized and to discuss how it will be shaped in the future. March 13 - 17, 2012 Buenos Aires, Argentina (3 credits) Contact elpnow@gwu.edu for more information on applying.

IPSI Institute – Bologna, Italy 2012 on Conflict Prevention, Resolution, Reconciliation:

In cooperation with Johns Hopkins University (SAIS), the 2012 Bologna Symposium will bring together the globe’s top graduate institutions, NGOs, international organizations, grassroots peace movements, and the armed services. Over a four-week period (June 16 to July 14) participants will undergo intensive training to foster peace and security in the world. Participants may apply to earn graduate-level course credit from SAIS.

http://ipsinstitute.org/bologna2012/

GW International Travel Approval Policy (ITAP):

· GW students who travel abroad for academic purposes must comply with the GW International Travel Approval Policy (ITAP) “Academic purposes” includes study abroad, internships, capstones, research projects, etc.

· To request GW approval and register your travel plans with the University, please navigate to http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=TravelApprovalPolicy

Information distributed by:
International Programs & Education
Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
1957 E Street NW, Suite 401 Washington, DC 20052
Tel +1-202-994-0953 Fax +1-202-994-0335