Do you need to register for Spring 2022 classes?

Spring 2022 advising and registration is still available! Students must have registration clearance from their advisor before they can add classes to their schedule. Asian Studies students can be advised by Dr. Oyen - fill out the Google form on this page first. At your advising appointment, you and Dr. Oyen can discuss your plans for Spring 2022 and beyond. 

For additional information about how to sign up for classes for Spring 2022, visit our website's registration guide. 

Planning to study abroad next year? Apply for a scholarship!

If you have been accepted to a study abroad program that starts between May 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, consider applying for a Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant! This $1,000 award is available to undergraduate students who have a minimum 3.75 GPA. Applicants do not need to be initiated members of their chapter to be eligible. Find out more about the program on the Phi Kappa Phi website - the deadline to apply is March 15, 2022. 

UMBC's Education Abroad Office is also hosting an online info session about the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship: the award offers up to $8,000 to support students who have received a Pell Grant and want to pursue a study abroad program. The information session will take place on February 8, 2022. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 8, 2022. Learn more and register for the information session at the link above. 

Online Summer Language Intensives at the University of Indiana - Catch Up, Get Ahead, or Try Something New

Want to improve your language skills, but don't have space in your Spring and Fall schedules? Want to explore a new language outside of what you're studying at UMBC? The University of Indiana offers a variety of summer intensive programs in Asian languages in online or hybrid formats, giving you an opportunity to gain intermediate or higher ability in a language in just a few months. 

Available languages include Japanese (introductory level), Korean (introductory and intermediate level), and Chinese (introductory through advanced level), as well as opportunities in Burmese, Vietnamese, and central Asian languages such as Mongolian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tatar, and Pashto. 

Funding is available for these summer programs and any student is eligible to apply. 

Each program is slightly different, so if you are interested, check out the workshop's informational website to learn more! The deadline to apply is January 29, 2022. 

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Congratulations to our Fall 2021 Asian Studies Graduates!

Asian Studies is celebrating our newest alumni this week, as five of our majors and two of our certificate-seekers graduate!

Please join us in congratulating the following students on their newly-awarded B.A. in Asian Studies:

• Claire Brocato
• Kellie Carswell
• Sibgha Khursheed
• Ian Kibria
• Jade Reinholtz

Finals are Here!

Classes have ended for Fall 2021 - you made it! This was a very challenging semester as we all adjusted to being around people again in a not-quite-normal way. We are proud of you and everything you accomplished! As you study, don't forget to rub True Grit's nose for a little luck. If you aren't on campus, we've got a picture of him attached to this message so that you can boop his nose from home, too.

Need a Study Break?

Today (right now!) from 11-2, visit the AOK library for yoga, snacks, a visit from local celebrity Officer Chip, crafts, and giveaways. 

The Office of Health Promotion is hosting Snack Breaks this week - today 12-3, and tomorrow and Thursday 10-3 - at their space in the Center for Wellbeing. Drop in to say hello, and grab some good food and a hot drink between study sessions. 

OCAMocha is doubling their regular student discount this week. Visit them in downtown Arbutus and enjoy a whopping 20% off from now through December 21. Plus, today (Dec 14) only, they're running a BOGO special if you show your campus card and their instagram flyer. Enjoy a delicious coffee or the best hot chocolate in town, and relax in their cheerful space. 
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[thumbnail image ID: A close-up photograph, taken on a sunny day, of the True Grit statue, showing his head. Someone is reaching their hand out from the lower left of the image to pat his nose with their fingers.] 

[banner image ID: A gray banner with gold top and bottom borders each featuring five black paw print outlines arranged in a row. In the central part of the banner, cheerful gold all-caps text reads "Good luck with finals!" The text is between two illustrations of a happy, running retriever-type dog.]

It's the last week of classes for Fall 2021. There's still a lot happening on and around campus, though, so if you're feeling overwhelmed with studying and classes, take a minute and check out some of these events! 

COVID Booster and Flu Shot Clinic - Wednesday, Dec 8

Retriever Integrated Health is hosting a COVID-19 Booster and Flu Shot clinic at the RAC on Wednesday, December 8 (tomorrow!). Registration only takes a minute. Get your booster now, and help to fight the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in your community at home! 

Gamelan Concert - Friday, Dec 10

UMBC's Gamelan Ensemble will hold its concert this Friday, December 10, from 5-6pm in the PAHB's Music Box Theatre. Admission is free - due to COVID-19 restrictions, space may be limited, so don't miss your chance to see these unique and beautiful orchestras! 

UMBC Anime Society Presents: Fall 2021 24 Hours of Anime Marathon - Friday, Dec 10

Join the UMBC Anime Society for this semester's edition of their popular anime marathon, beginning on Friday, December 10, at 7pmand running straight through until Saturday evening! For more information about this hybrid online and in-person event, visit their myUMBC page. 

Finals Stressbuster Tips and Events

• Let out some creative energy with (seb) at their final Paint Night of the semester, tonight (Dec 7) at 7pm in the Commons. Hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes, and a winter craft with friends - don't miss it! 
• Looking for someplace quiet to study, and all your usual haunts in the library are packed? SGA has shared some additional options that will be available for students over the next few weeks. 
• UMBC's First-Gen Network is hosting a De-Stress Zone in the Commons Sports Zone on Monday, December 13, at 2pm. Stop by for snacks, games, and study tips! More information is available on myUMBC, here. 
• If you live on campus, don't miss RSA's famous Midnight Breakfast event at True Grit's on Monday, Dec 13, at 11pm! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Here on campus, we were fortunate to get about a week of full autumn color and mild weather before winter started arriving, and the semester is in full swing. There are only a few weeks left before finals, so be sure to take advantage of everything happening on campus! 

Advising Continues

Do you still need advising for Spring 2022? Dr. Oyen still has appointments available! Start by filling out this Google Form. 

Remember: you do not need to sign up for classes right away after your advising appointment. As long as you have met with your advisor, you can register at any time. Please let us know if you have any questions. 

Virtual Lecture with Angie Kim - Tomorrow, 4:30!

Join the Dresher Center, MLLI, and Asian Studies in welcoming novelist Angie Kim to campus virtually for a discussion of her book, Miracle Creek! The online session will take place 4:30-5:30pm on Wednesday, November 17. For more information, and to RSVP, visit MLLI's myUMBC page. 

Info Sessions - Joining the Residential Life Team

Residential Life is hosting three information sessions - tonight, Nov 22, and Dec 1 - for students who are interested in being Resident Assistants (RAs), Desk Managers (DMs), or Maintenance Assistants (MAs) during the 2022-23 academic year. Selected applicants receive a single room in on-campus housing, a meal plan, and a small cash stipend. 

More information about the information sessions is available on myUMBC, and more information about the positions themselves are available in the 'Paraprofessional' section of Residential Life's website. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Tomorrow, Nov 17, 4:30pm - Angie Kim Virtual Lecture
• Nov 24-26 (next week!) - Thanksgiving Break
• Dec 2, 4pm - Humanities Forum Virtual Lecture with Dr. Vaporis, "A Lord, A Pauper, and an Artist" - more info here 
• Dec 13 - Last day of classes; last day for full semester withdrawal

[thumbnail image ID: Vibrant orange and red maple leaves frame a photo of Mt Fuji in Japan, topped with its famous snow cap. The photo was taken on a clear day and the bright blue sky is reflected in the water of the lake below.]

The clocks have changed and the days are short, and the semester is continuing here at UMBC. In Seoul, the annual Lantern Festival is underway - a two-week celebration of lights and festivities which includes floating huge, colorful lanterns down Cheonggyecheon Stream through the center of the city. The 2021 festival is taking place now through November 21, and even if you can't get to Seoul in person, they have a variety of online events scheduled which you can check out! 

Reminder: Spring 2022 Advising and Registration!

Do you still need advising for Spring 2022? Asian Studies majors should fill out this Google Form to prepare for advising. Remember that you cannot add classes to your schedule without registration clearance, and you can't get registration clearance without making an advising appointment. For more information, visit our Advising Guide. 

There are hundreds of classes offered this Spring - how do you know which ones to choose? Your advisor (Dr. Oyen, if you're an Asian Studies major) can help you narrow things down. We also have a helpful guide to all the Spring 2022 courses that count towards Asian Studies, including their GEP designations! 

Event: Online Discussion with Angie Kim, Author of "Miracle Creek" - November 17

Join the Dresher Center, the Dept of Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication, and Asian Studies next week in welcoming author Angie Kim to campus virtually to discuss her award-winning novel Miracle Creek! The online event will take place on Wednesday, November 17, at 4:30pm EST. For more information and to RSVP, visit MLLI's myUMBC page. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Now - Spring 2022 Advising and Registration (see above)
• Now - Winter 2022 Registration
• Nov 10 (tomorrow) - deadline to drop an individual class with a "W"
• Nov 17, 4:30pm - online discussion of novel Miracle Creek with author Angie Kim (see above)
• Nov 25-26 - Thanksgiving Break, no classes
• Dec 2, 4pm - online Humanities Forum lecture "A Lord, A Pauper, and an Artist: Putting People Back Into Samurai History" with Dr. Vaporis

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Spring 2022 Registration Starts on November 2!

Don't panic! Registration - adding classes to your schedule - is easy, and only takes a few minutes. We've set up a useful guide on our website with detailed information, and have also included it here for you: 

Step 1: Check your degree plan

In your myUMBC profile, click on your 'Degree Plan' tile and see what classes you might still need to take to fulfill your degree requirements. (Not sure where to find the planner? Here's a guide to help.)

Step 2: Check your student account

Also in your myUMBC profile, check your 'Billing' tile to make sure that you do not have a balance due or a hold on your account. Open balances and financial or other holds can prevent you from adding classes to your schedule! Student Business Services can answer any account-related questions you may have. 

Step 3: Make an advising appointment

Students must have registration clearance from their advisor before they can add classes to their schedule. Asian Studies students can be advised by Dr. Oyen - fill out the Google form on this page first. At your advising appointment, you and Dr. Oyen can discuss your plans for Spring 2022 and beyond. 

Step 3a: Identify classes you want or need to take

Check out the online schedule of classes for a list of all the classes that will be offered this spring, or visit the Asian Studies website for a list of classes that count towards Asian Studies program requirements. Dr. Oyen will ask about your plans at your advising appointment, so you should have an idea of possible options before you meet with her. 

Step 4: Check your registration time

Your registration time is based on the number of credits you've completed. Students who have completed more classes (for example, a senior) will have an earlier registration time than students who have completed fewer classes (for example, a sophomore). 

Step 5: Register!

Once your registration time arrives, you can add classes to your schedule. Classes often fill quickly, so it is to your advantage to register for classes as early as you can. You can make changes to your schedule any time before the semester begins - check the Registrar's site for specific add/drop deadlines and other useful dates. 

That's it - the only thing left after adding the classes is to get excited about your Spring 2022 schedule! 

If you have any questions about the registration and advising process, please contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you. 

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Winter 2022 Registration Opens Monday, October 18!

Winter 2022 classes meet January 3-28, and many will take place online. Students who enroll in Winter courses typically take one class (up to 4.5 credits). Winter can be a great opportunity to catch up or get ahead if you are planning to graduate in four years! 

Asian Studies students may be especially interested in the following electives which will be offered this winter: 

• HIST 381 - From Samurai to Salariman: Japanese History Through Film and Literature - Prof. Vaporis
  Meetings: asynchronous, online
  This course counts towards UMBC's GEP/GFR 'culture' requirements
• HIST 434 - The Vietnam Wars in International Context - Prof. Oyen 
  Meetings: asynchronous, online
  This course counts towards UMBC's GEP/GFR 'social science' requirements
• MUSC 230 - Musics of the World - Prof. Beck
  Meetings: synchronous (Tues/Thurs/Fri 9am-12:10pm), online
  This course counts towards UMBC's GEP/GFR 'arts and humanities' requirements and UMBC's GEP/GFR 'culture' requirements

For general information about Winter Session 2022, visit the Winter Session website.

We hope you enjoyed celebrating Homecoming 2021 last week and this past weekend! The semester continues, and so does the approach of autumn leaves and weather.

Advising is Coming!

We've set up a convenient Advising Guide on our website to help you with your planning. Take a look, and let us know if you have any questions. We're here to help! Spring 2022 registration begins on November 2, 2021. Start planning now so that you'll be ready when your registration time begins!

Winter Session 2022

Thinking about taking a class during the Winter Session? Winter session registration opens on Monday next week (Oct 18). Winter can be a great time to catch up on GEP requirements or to take an elective you couldn't quite fit into your fall or spring schedule! 

Most of the course offerings this winter will be online, but a few are available on-campus. If you aren't sure what classes might be an option for you and your degree plans, please email us, and we'll be happy to help!

Career Fair for Students with Advanced Japanese Skills

Do you have at least three years of Japanese language study? Thinking about plans for after you graduate? The Boston Career Forum's Virtual Booth Days event will take place on October 30 and 31 (Japan time) and will connect students with more than 160 companies around the world. Registration is free, but space is limited - if you're interested, you can sign up online, or check out the attached flyer for more information. 

ASCOM Meetings - Fridays at Noon

Want to get involved on campus? Interested in meeting fellow Asian Studies students? The Asian Studies Council of Majors (ASCOM) meets every Friday at noon this semester in Fine Arts 558! 

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

• ASCOM meeting: every Friday at noon, Fine Arts Building 558
• Winter Session registration opens Monday, Oct 18
• Spring 2022 Schedule of Classes available Monday, Oct 25

Is there something you'd like to see in these bulletins, or something you have a question about? Let us know! 

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October is here, bringing with it midterms, pumpkin patches and lattes, and fun seasonal events. It's an exciting time in Asian Studies, too - see below for all of the news and events coming up!

Spring 2022 Advising - Coming Soon

It's hard to believe that Spring 2022 advising is almost here! The list of Spring 2022 classes will be available online beginning on October 25, and Spring 2022 registration will begin on November 2. 

Don't wait! Get ready now in three easy steps:

1. Look at your Degree Plan in your myUMBC profile to learn what classes or requirements you still need to complete for your degree program. 
2. Look at your Student Account in your myUMBC profile - do you have an account hold? Holds can be placed for several reasons, but most of them will prevent you from being able to register for classes. Contact Student Business Services for more information about resolving an account hold. 
3. Sign up for an advising appointment with your advisor. For Asian Studies majors, Dr. Oyen is your advisor. More information about making an appointment is available on our website!
   
   If you are not an Asian Studies major, contact your major's department to learn more about their Spring 2022 advising plan and make an appointment; Dr. Oyen can also meet with students enrolled in the Asian Studies minor or certificate program to answer questions about your remaining requirements.

Critical Language Scholarship - Apply by November 16!

Have you completed at least one year of Korean classes at the university level, or at least two or three years of Chinese or Japanese? Maybe you're interested in learning an Asian language not offered here at UMBC? Applications for the Critical Language Scholarship, a prestigious eight-week summer intensive language program, are now open! More information, including available languages and eligibility requirements, can be found on their website. UMBC's Education Abroad team can help you with any questions you might have about applying. 

Homecoming This Week!

Celebrate UMBC's Homecoming this week, on campus and virtually. From the Carnival on Saturday to the Puppy Parade, from Grit-X talks to a community photo with Dr. Hrabowski, there's always something fun and festive to check out for Homecoming. See the full schedule here. 

Upcoming Events, Programs, and Deadlines At A Glance

• Advising appointments and registration clearance: starts this week
• Homecoming: all week and this weekend
• UMBC Library's Humanities/Social Science Literature Review Workshop: Oct 6 [tomorrow!], online 
• Online schedule of classes (Spring 2022) available: October 25
• Spring 2022 registration window opens: November 2
• Critical Language Scholarship Application Deadline: November 16

Questions about this newsletter? Want to see something included that we're overlooking? Let us know!