Study Abroad in South & Southeast Asian Studies

The Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies (SSEAS) encourages its students to add an international dimension to their education by participating in Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA). With proper academic planning, most students Berkeley Study Abroad can have the experience of a lifetime with no loss of time in completing the 160 Stephens Hall degree. (510) 642-1356 studyabroad.berkeley.edu BSA has programs in India as well as Southeast Asian centers in Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. As the SSEAS department encompasses about a dozen different countries and teaches an equal number of languages, studying abroad would be an especially desirable element of your undergraduate education.

“Studying in India changed my whole worldview and allowed Why study abroad? When can I study me the opportunity to experience Eastern • Get a taste of the culture you’ve abroad? traditions as I traveled been studying While it is possible for SSEAS students with Buddhist nuns to • Increase your language proficiency to go abroad at almost any point in the places the Buddha • Develop self-confidence and their academic career, the particular lived and taught. I independence learned yoga and semester or year that you study abroad • Enhance résumés and applications meditation at Delhi depends on what courses you plan to for graduate school University and studied take. • the Bhagavad-Gita with Prepare for a career in a Hindu swamis...not to competitive world Students interested in fulfilling major • mention that the food A chance to experience your own preparation and General Education was delicious! cultural heritage requirements can participate as early as the sophomore year. Students wanting Lauren Bausch Returning students often describe to fulfill upper-division major their time on the Berkeley Study requirements should, in most cases, go Abroad as one of the most abroad after having taken at least a empowering and transformative couple of courses in the major here at experiences of their lives. Studying Berkeley. There are no hard and fast abroad can have a significant impact rules on this – come in for a chat. on identifying and attaining personal and career goals. Transfer students are eligible to participate as soon as they arrive at Berkeley. Please note that application Department of deadlines are quite early. South & Southeast For more information: Asian Studies https://studyabroad- 7233 Dwinelle Hall prod.berkeley.edu/academics/academicPl (510) 642-4564 - PLAN AHEAD! - anning/transfers.php sseas.berkeley.edu Applications typically are due six months Graduate students may apply to study to a year prior to the program’s start or pursue research at most BSA-affiliated date and some programs have academic host institutions, and may participate in or linguistic prerequisites that must be the short-term language programs. More satisfied in advance. Please check the BSA website for guidance on “how to information: apply”: https://studyabroad- http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu/how- prod.berkeley.edu/academics/academicPl

to-apply anning/gradStudents.php

Where can I study abroad? What classes can I take? While most of our students choose the programs Take whatever courses interest you. We from the region, this is not a requirement. allow up to three courses to count toward Perhaps you’ll do what one student did and study the major. As long as the course fits both Sanskrit in Scotland. Or maybe you’ll follow the your track (language or civilization) and example of another and go to Sweden. There your emphasis (South or Southeast Asia), were no Southeast Asian courses available to we will accept it. him, but since he had planned well, he had no difficulty completing both of his majors on time. For example:

• Directed research program through the Fergusson College, India • Explore South Indian languages, culture, history, literature through University of Hyderabad's Study India Program • Live in a Thai village and work on a rural development project through the Development Studies program at Thammasat University in Bangkok.

Not until you are actually enrolling in courses can you be sure what will be offered, so keep in touch with the Major Advisor on email. Previously discussed and UC Berkeley students enjoying sporting event. Thammasat approved plans may need to be changed. University Program, Thailand The time to get preliminary approval is Photo by Jorge Palencia when you are signing up for these new classes on site. - THE COST OF BSA-

Study on BSA can be comparable to the cost of study at UC. In some cases, it is less. BSA Students will earn UC credit for BSA courses they participants pay UC fees and continue to complete abroad. However, application of credit to receive UC financial aid while abroad. major requirements is subject to the discretion of Furthermore, BSA students are eligible for the department. special grants and scholarships from UC, the To search for program and course options, go to host country, and other sources. the BSA website: http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu/programs and follow the links to courses offered through I’m interested, what are my UCEAP and Berkeley Abroad.

next steps?

Students interested in study abroad through What happens when I return? BSA should first research program options on the BSA website: Bring back course materials such as syllabi, http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu, or by reading lists and exams, as these will help when visiting the BSA office. Then meet with the petitioning for major or General Education credit. SSEAS advisor to discuss departmental If you took courses in a South or Southeast requirements and the academic planning Asian language while abroad, meet with the process. appropriate language instructor immediately upon return. Application information and BSA advising are available at the Berkeley Study Abroad office, 160 Stephens Hall.

SSEAS, UC Berkeley, June 2014