GW Exchanges inAsia CONTENTS

1 Welcome GW Exchanges in Asia Asia

3 Why an Exchange Program? 4 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Akita, Japan 6 Seoul Akita 8 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo 10 Seoul, Korea Taipei 14 Hong Kong, China Hong kong 16 Singapore 18 Taipei, Taiwan Singapore 20 Eligibility and Application Bandar Seri Begawan Deadlines The GW undergraduate exchange program fosters academic immersion via direct enrollment in one of our forty higher education exchange partners around the world. The exchange model provides an enriching cultural experience and is highly recommended for students who are prepared to engage independently in their host institution abroad. Prior to departure, students will have the opportunity to meet with exchange students from WelcomeGW exchanges their future host institution and gain valuable information regarding the everyday life and academic culture of their host country. in Asia

Bandar Seri Begawan

Asia | 1 2 | GW exchanges Why an • independent, immersive exchange experience • Directly enroll at prestigious Program? partner institutions • Make lifelong friends and contacts from all over the world

• Meet current host institution students

• $1,500 credit towards tuition for fall semester FOFAC students

Asia | 3 Life in Bandar Seri Learning at UBD GW students at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Bandar Begawan can choose from a variety of English-taught courses Brunei Darussalam is located on the northern shore in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Faculty Seri Begawan, of Borneo island, bordered by the South China Sea of Business, Economics and Policy Studies; and the BRUNEI and the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The population Faculty of Science. of Brunei Darussalam is approximately 400,000— 67% Malay, 15% Chinese, 6% tribes indigenous Life at UBD to Borneo (including the Iban, Dusun, and Murut The Universiti Brunei Darussalam is close to the tribes), and 12% other. The national language is city center and Brunei’s main attractions. UBD Malay (Bahasa Melayu), but English is widely spoken is adjacent to Tungku Beach, and many of its and is the principal language of business. buildings—including student accommodations— overlook the beautiful South China Sea.

About the Universiti Brunei UBD is a welcoming environment for international Darussalam (UBD) students, with an array of clubs and activities to do The Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) is the on-campus. There are also a variety of programs to national university of Brunei, located in the capital ensure new students transition into UBD through city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The university was the International Student Service Unit of the Student established in 1985, opening its doors to the first Affairs Section. intake of 176 students. Brunei is a peaceful sultanate, rich with culture Today the university enrolls 4,000 students and and heritage. There is plenty of opportunity to places a strong emphasis on internationalization, experience its vibrant culture, and to explore the research, and educating the next generation of natural wonders of Brunei while studying at UBD. leaders in areas of sustainability, Islamic studies, and Brunei is very centrally located. Singapore, Kuala food security. Lumpur, Manila, Saigon, Bangkok, Jakarta, and many other cities are only a two- to three-hour flight away.

4 | GW exchanges Accommodations The Universiti Brunei Darussalam has a newly built Residential College, comprising of The Towers and The Core, where exchange students will live with local UBD students. The college is on-campus, situated near Jerudong Beach, and is 5–15 minutes walking distance to the academic facilities on campus and the university mosque.

The Towers are composed of four high-rise blocks of self-catering apartments. Each apartment includes bedrooms and bathrooms, a modern living room, kitchen, launderette, and ablution area. There are separate blocks for male and female residences.

All university student bedrooms have fast broadband, and telephone service is available. The complex includes a small market, six fast food restaurants, a gym, post office, and bank. The campus radio station also broadcasts from The Core.

GW students will pay all accommodation fees directly to UBD.

Academic Calendar Fall semester: late July to early December

Spring semester: early January to mid-May

Academic year: late July to mid-May

Asia | 5 Life in Akita Learning at AIU GW exchange students are able to take practically Akita, one of the forty-seven prefectures in Japan, Akita, any course offered at Akita International University. is located in the northwest part of the main island, The major academic areas at AIU include: JAPAN along the Sea of Japan. It is 280 miles north of Tokyo, and is known for magnificent nature, •• Japanese Studies abundant festivals, and sites such as Kakunodate •• Japanese Language and Literature (a 17th-century samurai town) and Tazawako (the • Global Business deepest lake in Japan). Spring, summer, and fall • allow students to enjoy hiking, canoeing, and •• Global Studies (International Affairs, History, fishing. As much snow falls from late December Political Science, etc.) through March, winter in Akita is famous for its In addition to these subjects, AIU offers some skiing and snowboarding resorts. science, math, and other language courses.

About Akita International Life at AIU AIU is located in Akita City, which has a population University (AIU) of 1.2 million people. The university has state-of- Surrounded by the beautiful nature of northern the-art sports facilities (basketball, baseball, tennis, Japan, Akita International University (AIU) is a four- soccer, weight training, etc.), and a variety of year, public, liberal arts university that provides hiking, cycling, and golf courses are adjacent to the students with the opportunity to study in English campus. A huge shopping mall is ten minutes away with other Japanese students. The university is much from campus by bus. smaller than GW, with approximately 900 students, but all Akita undergraduate students study abroad. In any given semester, approximately 25% of students on campus will be exchange students. This truly international community, combined with state- of-the-art facilities, a diverse faculty, and innovative programs, makes it an ideal place to study.

6 | GW exchanges Accomodations Exchange students are guaranteed on- campus accommodations in either the Komachi Dormitory or the Global Village Apartments.

The Komachi Dormitory is where all first- year Japanese students at AIU live. This provides a great opportunity to interact with local students. Students in the Komachi Dormitory eat all of their meals together in the cafeteria adjacent to the dorm.

Second and third year students (and most exchange students) live in the Global Village Apartments. The apartments have kitchen access and allow students to cook their own meals while interacting with Japanese and exchange students.

GW students will apply for their accommodation upon acceptance to AIU. They will pay all housing fees directly to AIU.

Academic Calendar Fall semester: late August to late December

Spring semester: early April to late July

Academic year: late August to late July

Asia | 7 Life in Tokyo Learning at Waseda University GW students at Waseda have three study track Tokyo is Japan’s capital city. Its population of Tokyo, options: approximately 12 million people ranks it with JAPAN other leading international cities such as New York, •• The School of International Liberal Studies’ (SILS) London, and Paris. Currently, Tokyo is the center for One-Year Study Abroad Program is an English- Japanese politics, finance, culture, education, and based program offering coursework in Asian many other fields. culture, history, society, politics, economics, geography, arts, and literature. •• The Undergraduate Studies Program is a Japanese-language based program that allows About Waseda University qualified students to enroll in regular coursework In 2007, Waseda University celebrated the 125th offered in Japanese at Waseda. anniversary of its founding by Shigenobu Okuma, scholar and government leader. Waseda is one of •• The Intensive Japanese Language Program is a year-long language-study focused program. Japan’s top private, co-educational institutions of higher learning. Founded as a college with three Life at Waseda University departments under the old Japanese system of higher education, it has since grown to become a Students at Waseda are able to get involved in the comprehensive university with 13 undergraduate many circles and clubs run by students. Numbering schools. Waseda enrolls over 45,000 undergraduate over 700, Waseda’s clubs are grouped into five students and 300 exchange students each year. officially recognized types: physical education clubs (43), student associations (159), hobby clubs (347), regional student associations (22), and clubs recognized by individual schools (more than 100).

The International Community Center also organizes events throughout the semester for international students at Waseda.

8 | GW exchanges Accommodations Exchange students at Waseda live in international dormitories near the main campus. Students in the SILS program can also request to live in a homestay with a family in Tokyo.

GW students will apply for housing upon acceptance to Waseda and will pay all housing fees directly to Waseda University.

Academic Calendar Academic year: late September to early August

Asia | 9 Life in Seoul •• Art History •• Media Studies •• Asian Studies •• Politics With centuries of heritage and the cutting-edge Seoul, •• Business •• Psychology technology of the IT industry, Seoul is a city of • International Studies Korea contrasts where the old and new exist in harmony. • Mountains surround the city, and the nearest seaside •• Korean Language and is only an hour away. Seoul is a bustling center of Studies culture, finance, politics, and entertainment. Courses at Ewha are worth 3 credits each; GW students will typically take five courses per semester.

About Ewha Womans Life at Ewha Womans University University The campus is located in the Sinchon neighborhood. Ewha Womans University was founded in 1886 With three other universities close by, this area has as Korea’s first educational institution for women. become the gathering place for college students in Now the largest women’s university in the world, Seoul. There are many trendy restaurants, shops, and Ewha enrolls over 14,000 undergraduate students. cafés nearby, and an upscale department store is It houses 11 colleges, including Liberal Arts, Social within walking distance of the campus. Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Business, and more. GW students, both male and female, can attend Ewha Accommodations as exchange students. Exchange students will live in the Ewha-Samsung Learning at Ewha Womans University International House. Students can live in a single room or share a room with another international Each semester, Ewha offers 100–200 courses taught student. The building has study rooms, a fitness fully in English. GW exchange students may take room, a computer lab, kitchenettes, a laundry room, almost any course for which they are qualified. Ewha and a small convenience store on-site. regularly offers English-taught courses in a variety of departments. GW students will apply for housing at Ewha upon acceptance to the university. They will pay all housing Departments that often offer courses in fees directly to Ewha. English include:

10 | GW exchanges Academic Calendar Learning at KU Accommodations Fall semester: late August to GW students may take courses Exchange students live in either the mid-December in English or Korean across the CJ International House or the smaller curriculum, and about half of KU’s Anam Hall 2. The International Spring semester: late February to courses are taught in English. KU has House offers single or double rooms, mid-June 9 colleges and schools, which offer a shared bathrooms by suite, a gym wide variety of coursework: on-site, and lounge and study space. Academic year: late August to mid-June •• College of Business Anam Hall 2 is a smaller hall •• College of Liberal Arts with triple rooms and common bathrooms. This is a hall where more •• College of Life Sciences and About Korea Biotechnology Korean students will live, offering more integration with local students. • College of Science University (KU) • The hall includes kitchen access, Korea University (KU), founded in •• College of Engineering an on-site dining hall and gym, and 1905, is widely acknowledged as •• College of Political Science and study space. one of the country’s top-ranked Economics universities. Its reputation for GW students will apply for housing •• College of Art and Design quality is based on excellence in at KU upon acceptance to the • Division of International Studies teaching, research, and service • university. They will pay all housing to Korean society. An eminent •• School of Journalism and Mass fees directly to KU. faculty, outstanding students, Communication and internationally recognized research programs all contribute Life at KU Academic Calendar to KU’s academic fame. As a There are hundreds of societies and Fall semester: late August to major comprehensive university, activities available campus-wide late December KU offers a rich variety of courses that are open to all KU students, in liberal arts and sciences, as Spring semester: late February including exchange students. KU well as in all professional fields, to late June also provides a buddy program including engineering and business (KUBA) to help students adjust to life administration. Academic year: late August to in Korea and make Korean friends. late June

Asia | 11 Life at SNU Accommodations About Seoul National Students studying at Seoul National Exchange students live in the Gwanaksa University (SNU) University have the benefits of a large, House. Undergraduate students will live Created in 1946 as the first modern, cultural city, while being housed on a with one roommate and share common national Korean university, Seoul National traditional university campus. areas such as kitchen, reading rooms, University (SNU) now enrolls 32,000 lounges, and bathrooms. students. Beyond its reputation as an The main campus of SNU, Kwanak, is academic leader in Korea, SNU offers located on the southern outskirts of The Gwanaksa buildings also have Seoul, Korea Seoul, outstanding cultural and recreational Seoul, at the foot of the majestic Kwanak cafeterias, dry cleaners/laundry, computer benefits, as well as a wide variety of Mountain. It is equipped with athletic labs, and gyms located throughout the entertainment opportunities in the college facilities, recreational centers, dormitories, complex for student use. town of Kwanak and in the city of Seoul. and dining halls. Students are easily able to take the subway into downtown Seoul GW students will apply for housing at SNU upon acceptance to the university. They Learning at SNU to enjoy the markets, shops, and nightlife of the city. will pay all housing fees directly to SNU. Students may take courses taught in English in a variety of departments. There are over 100 students clubs Academic Calendar Students with advanced Korean-language and organizations affiliated with SNU. skills may enroll in any undergraduate Student activities include sports, cultural Fall semester: late August to courses taught at SNU for which they events, performing arts, religious clubs, mid-December qualify. Students also have the option of and more. From Taekwondo to jazz taking Korean-language courses as part of clubs to computer study group, there is Spring semester: late February to their studies. something for everyone to get involved mid-June in. Participation in clubs is the best way Academic year: late August to mid-June Below are departments that often offer to make friends, develop responsibilities, courses in English: and find leadership qualities. This will enable students to grow and learn from •• Asian Studies •• Accounting new experiences on campus. •• Political Science •• Mathematics •• Sociology •• Biology •• Philosophy •• Chemistry •• Business •• Environmental Science Life at Yonsei University Accommodations About Yonsei University Yonsei University occupies 250 acres in GW students can choose to live in the Yonsei University is the oldest university the western part of Seoul. The present international dormitory on Yonsei’s in Korea. Yonsei’s main campus is campus was once the site of a royal campus or in a homestay with a Korean ensconced in a spacious, picturesque, palace during the Joseon Kingdom. family organized by the Office of and natural setting, located minutes International Affairs. away from the economic, political, and The campus is located in the Sinchon cultural centers of Seoul’s metropolitan neighborhood. With three other The recently built international dormitory, downtown. Yonsei has 28,000 students universities close by, this area has the SK Global House, has lounge and 3,500 faculty members who are become the gathering place for college space, shared kitchens, a fitness center, conducting cutting-edge research across students in Seoul. There are many trendy laundry, restaurants, coffee shops, and a all academic disciplines. There are 18 restaurants, shops, and cafés nearby, and convenience store on-site. Students can graduate schools, 22 colleges, and 133 an upscale department store is within choose to live in a single room or share a subsidiary institutions hosting a selective walking distance of the campus. room with another exchange or Korean pool of students from around the world. student. The dormitories are conveniently The Office of International Affairs at located on campus and allow exchange Learning at Yonsei University Yonsei University organizes many students to become active members of activities to help international students the Yonsei community. A wide array of coursework is taught in get involved on campus. They organize English each semester for students to a Language Exchange for international GW students will apply for housing at select. Courses at Yonsei University are students to practice their Korean- Yonsei upon acceptance to the university. worth 3 credits each, so students will language skills and help Yonsei students They will pay all housing fees directly to typically take five courses per semester. practice their English; a Buddy Program Yonsei. Coursework is available in English in the so that international students have a following areas: Yonsei student to help show them around Academic Calendar campus and learn about Korean culture; • Korean Language • Engineering • • Fall semester: late August to and Literature and a Global Lounge where international •• Sciences students and Korean students can relax, mid-December • Business • •• East Asian Studies study, and practice their language skills. • Economics Spring semester: late February • •• International Students can also get involved in the to mid-June •• Politics Affairs hundreds of student clubs and societies on Yonsei’s campus. •• Sociology •• History Academic year: late August to mid-June Asia | 13 Life in Hong Kong Learning at HKUST The School of Engineering has six academic Lying at the heart of Asia and the southern Hong Kong, departments: tip of China, Hong Kong is one of the world’s CHINA major business and financial centers. It is also a •• Department of Chemical Engineering unique place where ancient Chinese traditions •• Department of Civil Engineering are interwoven with a fast-paced, cosmopolitan, • Department of Computer Science and 21st-century lifestyle that incorporates the latest • Engineering technological and trend-setting advances. Within the Chinese empire for more than 2,000 years and •• Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering with 150 years of British colonial influence, the city offers a rich heritage and a diversity that few other •• Department of Industrial Engineering and places in the world can rival. Logistics Management •• Department of Mechanical Engineering Exchange students are assigned to the engineering About the Hong Kong department that best matches their home major department. On average, exchange students at the University of Science and undergraduate level or equivalent take five courses Technology (HKUST) in a semester, typically adding up to 15 credits. The Hong Kong University of Science and Courses are taught in English. Technology (HKUST) is a leading international research university dedicated to the pursuit of Life at HKUST new knowledge in science and engineering. The university campus occupies a stunning 150-acre site The Hong Kong University of Science and overlooking Clear Water Bay. GW’s exchange with Technology enrolls approximately 9,000 students. HKUST is for students in the School of Engineering The campus is located on Clear Water Bay and has and Applied Science only. many opportunities for student involvement. There are hundreds of performance, sport, academic, and interest societies that exchange students are encouraged to join. On-campus, there are many dining facilities, a grocery store, a gym, and even a hair salon.

14 | GW exchanges Accommodations The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology offers on-campus housing in state-of-the-art dormitories and university apartments. Students can choose to live with local students or other exchange students. There are also living and learning communities to which exchange students may apply. These include an international house living-learning community and a community focused on sustainability.

GW students will apply for their accommodation upon acceptance to HKUST. They will pay all housing fees directly to HKUST.

Academic Calendar Fall semester: late September to mid-December

Spring semester: early February to late May

Academic year: late September to late May

Asia | 15 Life in Singapore Students can take courses in the following schools: SINGAPORE •• Engineering With four official languages (English, Malay, Chinese, •• Science and Tamil), the city-state of Singapore is said to be • Business (only available to GW School of Business one of the most globalized in the world. Students • Majors) studying at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) or the National University of Singapore (NUS) •• Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are able to enjoy all of the exciting dining, shopping, Life at NTU and cultural activities available in Singapore. With its proximity to other Southeast Asian countries, NTU’s International Student Center is the main hub Singapore can also serve as a gateway for exploring for exchange students. The International Student the region while studying abroad. Center hosts orientation, events, family weekends, and activities for exchange and international students throughout the semester. In addition, About Nanyang Technological students are able to join student organizations and sports clubs to meet local students and get involved University (NTU) in campus life. Founded in 1955, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a research-intensive university with Accommodations globally acknowledged strengths in science and engineering. Today, NTU has four colleges with 12 Upon acceptance to NTU, exchange students schools, including a strong business school and may apply for accommodation in one of 16 halls college of humanities, arts, and social sciences. of residence. All halls are double-occupancy NTU provides a high-quality global education to and convenient to campus academic buildings. more than 23,000 undergraduates, including 8,000 Exchange students live intermingled with international students. international and local students, giving students the full NTU campus experience. Learning at NTU Academic Calendar Exchange students are able to take courses across colleges and departments, subject to availability Fall semester: early August to early December and completion of pre-requisite courses. Students Spring semester: early January to early May will enroll in four or five courses per semester. Academic year: early August to early May 16 | GW exchanges •• School of Computing Accommodations About the National •• School of Design and Environment Most GW exchange students at NUS live University of Singapore •• Faculty of Law in either University Town (a community (NUS) Because of its location, NUS has a of three residential colleges) or Prince George’s Park Residences (PGPR) (a A leading global university centered in particular specialty in Southeast Asian large residential complex with about Asia, the National University of Singapore Studies, and offers many unique 2,800 residents). Students typically live in (NUS) offers a global approach to content courses and language courses single or double rooms that are grouped education and research, with a focus unavailable at GW. into clusters. The 15 residents in each on Asian perspectives and expertise. Students also have the option of cluster share a kitchen, dining area, and Its transformative education includes a completing a semester-long research bathroom. The cluster lifestyle exposes broad-based curriculum underscored project under the direction of a faculty students to independent living and also by multidisciplinary courses and cross- member at NUS. offers excellent opportunities for close faculty enrichment, as well as special interaction. programs that allow students to realize Past GW exchange students at NUS their potential. Over 36,000 students have taken courses in computer science, PGPR and University Town also house from 100 countries further enrich the psychology, politics, economics, history, an auditorium, seminar rooms, a community with their diverse social and languages, and engineering. multipurpose hall, a gymnasium, cultural perspectives, making campus life basketball and tennis courts, a jogging vibrant and exciting. Life at NUS track, an exercise station, a mini- supermarket, food outlets, and other Learning at NUS On campus, there are hundreds of service outlets. Distributed throughout campus clubs, sport leagues, and the residences are air-conditioned The National University of Singapore performance groups to join. The offers a wide variety of courses to lounges, television rooms, and meeting International Relations Office atN US also and reading rooms. exchange students, all taught in English. plans a variety of activities throughout Students can take courses from any of the the semester, including a host family Academic Calendar seven faculties at NUS: program to pair international students with Singaporean residents or students in Fall semester: late July to early December •• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences order to learn more about Singaporean • Faculty of Engineering Spring semester: early January to • culture and life. early May •• Faculty of Science Academic year: late July to early May •• School of Business Asia | 17 •• Academic Courses and Part-Time Mandarin Study: Life in Taipei This option allows students to take academic Taipei is the capital of Taiwan and has 2.6 million courses in various disciplines in English or Taipei, Mandarin while also continuing to learn Chinese people living in the city. The island of Taiwan is by enrolling in a 3-credit Chinese-language located about 120 miles off the eastern shore of Taiwan course. Mainland China, approximately midway among Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Courses taught in English are regularly available in a variety of disciplines at NCCU.

About National Chengchi Life at NCCU University (NCCU) National Chengchi University is conveniently Established in 1927, National Chengchi University located in Taipei City with quick access to transit (NCCU) is noted for its humanities and social lines, the Taipei Zoo, and the Maokong area. On sciences disciplines, and currently houses nine campus, students can become involved in the colleges, including liberal arts, science, social various activities organized by the International sciences, law, commerce, foreign languages & Office, such as language partners and International literature, communication, international affairs, and Students Associations. education. Similar in size to GW, NCCU has just over 15,000 students total and 9,000 undergraduates. Accommodations Exchange students can apply to live in NCCU’s Learning at NCCU International House. The International House is just Exchange students have three tracks to choose from outside the main gates of Chengchi, and allows at National Chengchi University: students to live in either single or double rooms with other international students. •• Full-Time Mandarin Study: Students will take 15 hours of Chinese-language courses per week and GW students will apply for accommodation upon no other coursework. acceptance to NCCU. They will pay all housing fees directly to NCCU. •• Full-time Academic Study: Students will take 15–18 credits of coursework taught in English or Mandarin in various disciplines at NCCU.

18 | GW exchanges Academic Calendar Fall semester: late August to mid-January

Spring semester: late February to late June

Academic year: late August to late June

Asia | 19 Eligibility and Application Deadlines

Eligibility Once students have met with their regional study abroad advisor, they will be granted The requirements for students applying to study access to the online exchange application. on a GW undergraduate exchange program are Students should schedule their appointment as follows: well in advance of the application deadline stated on the Office for Study Abroad website. •• All students must have completed a total of 45 credit hours before participating in the program Participants are nominated by the GW Office for Study Abroad for exchanges on the basis of • Students must be in good judicial standing • application, academic transcripts, judicial status, and not have a significant record of judicial infractions at GW and preparation for study abroad through an exchange program. Final admission decisions • Students must have a minimum cumulative • rest with the individual partner institution. GW GPA of 3.0 The availability of any particular exchange may vary according to the status of the institutional Application Deadlines agreement. Admission is selective and space is Deadlines vary by program. limited.

How to Apply In order to start an application for a GW exchange program, students must first meet with the appropriate regional study abroad advisor. Students can schedule a meeting with their regional study abroad advisor by visiting our staff page at http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/ index.cfm?FuseAction=StaffMain.Home.

20 | GW exchanges OSA_1213_2 Check the Office for Study Abroad website: www.studyabroad.gwu.edu for the most up-to-date program information and application requirements.

Asia | 21 GW Office for Study Abroad 800 21st Street, NW • Suite 505 • Washington, DC 20052 202–994–1649 (tel) • 202–994–9133 (fax) • [email protected] www.studyabroad.gwu.edu facebook.com/GWOfficeforStudyAbroad