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

The semester is in full swing and we hope your classes and work are going well. A lot is happening on campus these days - take a look! 

NBR Fellowships

The National Bureau for Asian Research (NBR), a think tank in DC, has fellowships available for undergraduate students interested in international affairs and Asian policy. Two programs are currently accepting applications; here is the information from NBR: 

Applications to NBR's Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship are due by March 12, 2023. For Black and brown community college and undergraduate students interested in a career in international affairs or Asia policy, NBR offers paid four-month summer fellowships for students to expand their networks and develop skills in research, event planning, publications, and general office and project management through direct professional experience. Learn more and apply at www.nbr.org/udfp 

Additionally, NBR’s Ellings-Korduba Research Fellowship Program is accepting applications until March 26, 2023. For current graduate or advanced undergraduate students whose degrees focus on issues of strategic importance to the United States in Asia, NBR offers students the opportunity to spend a summer as junior fellows in residence at NBR’s Seattle office, participate in a seminar series featuring high-level speakers from NBR’s network of experts, participate in professional development workshops, and receive guidance from NBR editors. Learn more and apply at www.nbr.org/ekfp.

Dance Performance - This Weekend

The Dance Department at Towson University presents "Kinetic Crossings" this weekend at the Baltimore Theater Project. Intersecting creative pathways, Nicole A. Martinell (Artistic Director of Deep Vision Dance Company) and Saiko Kino (Japanese dancer and choreographer) share an illuminating evening of contemporary dance works. Martinell remakes "In Faith,” a vivid, spiritual journey of friction, connection, and gratitude through the eyes of a Muslim man and a Christian woman. Kino's mesmerizing "Shizuka" revives Shizuka Gozen, a 12th-century mixed-gender dancer known for her extraordinary psychic powers and political influence. 

Performances will take place Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11, at 8pm, at the Baltimore Theater Project (45 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201). For tickets and more information, visit https://theatreproject.ticketspice.com/kinetic-crossings

Retrievercon 2023 - This Weekend

UMBC's Anime Society hosts its annual Retrievercon this weekend in the Commons! From cosplay contests and gaming to trivia events and vendors, the convention takes place all day Saturday, March 11. Check out their announcement on myUMBC for more information!

Freeman-Asia Scholarships - Apply by March 28!

For students with demonstrated financial need who have an interest in study abroad in east or southeast Asia, the Freeman-Asia program from IIE offers an incredible opportunity. Award amounts range from $3000 to support summer study abroad, up to $7000 to support a full academic year. Learn more about the program at its website - if you have questions about applying or would like more information, UMBC's Dr. Brian Souders is a great resource - he can be reached by email here. 

ASCOM Returns! 

The Asian Studies Council of Majors (ASCOM) is resuming their regular meetings this week, starting tomorrow (Wednesday, March 8)! 

ASCOM is a student organization for students with an interest in Asia-related topics, culture, and events to meet and chat. Meetings take place in the Fine Arts building, Room 558, and in Spring 2023 they will be happening at 10am on Wednesdays. 

For more information about ASCOM, stop by tomorrow's session, or contact its current president, Milan R., by email. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• March 8 (tomorrow!), 10am - ASCOM meeting, FA 558
• March 11 - Retrievercon (see above)
• March 12 - app deadline, NBR Diversity Fellowship (see above)
• March 19-26 - Spring Break; no classes
• March 27 - Fall 2023 schedule available

Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship - App Deadline March 9

Are you interested in study abroad? Do you receive Pell grants as part of your financial aid? If you answered 'yes' to both of these, you should consider applying for a Benjamin Gilman Study Abroad scholarship! The program offers up to $8,000 to support students' study abroad opportunities, and typically one in four applicants receives an award. 

Don't wait - the application is due March 9th! For more information about the program, email the Education Abroad office! 

URCAD is Coming! Apply by Feb 13

URCAD 2023 will take place on April 12. URCAD is a great opportunity for students to present their research to the UMBC community. Participants gain experience giving a presentation, preparing for a conference, and more! 

If you have been working on a major project this year, consider applying to present your work at URCAD. The deadline to apply is February 13 - more information is available on URCAD's website, or you can email Dr. April Householder if you have a specific question. 

Korean Language Research Presentations This Week

From Tuesday, February 7 through Tuesday, February 14, MLLI & ASIA are hosting a series of presentations on recent research in Korean language study. These events will be hybrid format - attendees can join in-person or online. These sessions will be engaging for anyone with an interest in studying or perhaps teaching Korean language. If you have questions about the sessions or WebEx connection, please contact Carolyn Good in the MLLI department.

• February 7 (today!) - 4pm, Fine Arts 526 or on WebEx: Dr. Jiwon Hwang, "Engaging Korean Language Learners Intercultural Through Authentic, Social and Critical Interactions" 
• February 9 (Thursday) - 4pm, Fine Arts 011 or on WebEx: Dr. Kyung-Eun Yoon, “Analyzing Discourse: From Interactional Linguistics to Sociocultural Analysis”
• February 14 (next Tuesday) - 4pm, Fine Arts 526 or on WebEx: Dr. Sorin Huh, "Learning, Teaching, and Assessing the Korean Language" 

Waste Management and Climate Change Survey

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

It's cold and rainy on campus today, but our thoughts are looking ahead towards sunny and warm summer. If you're not sure yet how you'd like to spend your summer break, there are tons of options available - keep reading for more information! 

Summer Study Abroad in Japan with Dr. Oakes

Dr. Oakes is leading a study abroad program this summer in which UMBC students can spend three weeks exploring the history and visual culture of Japan. The itinerary will take participants to Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, and Tokyo, including visits to temples, museums, and other important places. 

Information sessions will be held on campus in the coming weeks. Click here for more details about the program and the information sessions! 

Summer Internship with the Baltimore Museum of Art

The Baltimore Museum of Art is reinstalling its historic Asian art collection, and is hiring an intern to assist with this exciting process! If you have an interest in Chinese art and art history, curatorial work and research, or working in museums, this is a fabulous opportunity to gain meaningful experience! 

Learn more about the position and the BMA at the posting on their website. 

The deadline to submit an application for this position is January 29! 

Language Intensive Programs with Indiana University

Indiana University's popular and excellent Summer Language Workshop will take place again this summer! 

Earn a year of language-study credits in two months of intensive online learning, and take advantage of in-state tuition rates! A wide variety of languages are available, including less-common options such as Vietnamese, Mongolian, Pashto, and Kyrgyz! 

You can find more information about this opportunity, including program dates, costs, and options, at the workshop's website. 

The deadline to submit an application for priority consideration is Feb 3!

Lunar New Year Event on Campus

The Center for Global Engagement and the International Student & Scholar Services team have put together an event to celebrate the lunar new year. 

On January 30, red envelopes will be left around campus for students to find. One lucky participant will find the golden ticket and win a great prize! 

Check out the attached flier for more information about participating! 

UMBC Closed Dec 23-Jan 2

In observance of the end of the year holidays, UMBC is closed from Friday, Dec 23 through Monday, January 2. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to responding to any messages or inquiries which arrive during this time upon our return to campus in the new year! 

Prof. Irene Chan: The Thomas Project and Other Recent Work - Weds, Oct 5, noon

Irene Chan, Associate Professor of Visual Arts and Affiliate Associate Professor of Asian Studies at UMBC, will present and discuss recent work including The Thomas Project (2022), a six part, multimedia work exploring the life of Thomas Sylvanus (aka Ching Lee, Ye Way Lee, Ah Yee Way), a 19th-century Chinese man who lived in the U.S. East Coast, was enslaved in Baltimore, and ran away to join the Union Army. 

The talk will take place in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building (PAHB), Room 216, and lunch will be provided for registered attendees! Learn more about Prof. Chan's work and this event by visiting CIRCA's website. 

UMBC Fall 2022 Career Fair - Weds, Sept 21 (tomorrow!)

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

The semester is off to a great start here in Asian Studies. We hope you are settling into your rhythm and enjoying your classes. Thank you to those of you who joined us for our Welcome Week sushi event, and our talk last week with Dr. Souders about study abroad and research opportunities in Asia! 

UMBC Review Call for Submissions - Deadline Friday 9/16!

The UMBC Review wants to publish you! Have you completed a research project or creative work during your time at UMBC? Consider submitting it to the peer-reviewed academic journal on campus for publication consideration! The deadline to submit your work is Friday, September 16. Information about how to respond to the call for submissions is available on the Review's website. 

Paid Opportunity at the Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is home to a vast array of art from around the world, including a comprehensive and important collection of Asian art. The museum is forming a College Student Advisory Group to bring a college voice on objectives in the collection for the upcoming reinstallation Across Asia. The group will meet six times from late October 2022 to April 2023 to discuss the Across Asia reinstallation and to learn about other programs at the museum that may be of interest to students. 

Successful applicants will be notified in mid-October and will receive a $600 stipend. To apply, you can visit the Walters' website. Please contact Mr. Peter Ibenana, the David Hirschhorn Head of Community Engagement, by phone at 410-547-9000, ext. 565, with any questions. 

Graduate Degree Funding in Hawai'i

Are you thinking about grad school? The East-West Center, located adjacent to the campus of the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM), has funding [a scholarship] available for students interested in pursuing graduate study in their program! This is a significant opportunity for anyone interested in developing and strengthening community across the Asia-Pacific region. Information about the program, the fellowship award, and how to apply is available on the East-West Center's website. The deadline to apply is December 1. 

Fall 2022 Internship and Career Fair - Sept 21

UMBC's Career Center will host the Fall 2022 Internship and Career Fair on Wednesday, Sept 21 (next week!), in person at the RAC. More than 100 employers will be there, and they want to meet you! Visit the Career Center's event page for more information. 

[thumbnail image description: an autumnal landscape in China's Jiuzhaigou National Park (in Sichuan), showing riotous autumn foliage on hillsides that end in a crystal-clear lake]

Today: Study Abroad Info Session!

Join Asian Studies today at noon in Fine Arts 558 for an info session with Dr. Brian Souders! Dr. Souders will be sharing information about the Luce Foundation Scholarship, Fulbright Awards, the Boren Scholarship Program, and other prestigious, competitive opportunities for students interested in doing study abroad or research in Asia! We'll also have snacks and giveaways for Asian Studies and for the moon-viewing festival holiday taking place this weekend across many parts of Asia!

UMBC Review Call for Papers - Deadline Sept 16!

From the editors: The UMBC Review: Journal of Undergraduate Research is currently soliciting submissions for its 24th edition to be published in April, 2023. We invite you to submit your research to our journal. The Review offers a rewarding opportunity to get your undergraduate research published!

The deadline to submit is Friday, September 16th. The submission application can be found at: https://ur.umbc.edu/umbc-review/. We encourage students of all majors and disciplines to send in their research! Your papers do not have to be ready for publication or perfect right now, we just want to see the best work and research you have completed! Papers may include original research and/or artistic statements that explore the research and process you have completed, and discoveries you have made.

If you have any questions please contact the editors at umbcreview@umbc.edu.

Involvement Fest

Bored on campus? Wondering what to do with your free time between classes and studying? Involvement Fest is here! Visit Erickson Field on Friday, September 9 to learn more about some of the more than 200 student organizations that are active and recruiting on campus! From video games to cultural celebrations to major-related groups, there's a student organiztion for everybody - be sure to check it out! For more information, visit their website.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Sept 7 (today), noon: Study Abroad Info Session - see above
• Sept 9 (Friday), noon: Involvement Fest - see above
• Sept 14 (next week): last day to drop a class without a "W"

There are dozens of study abroad programs for students interested in extended, in-depth opportunities in Asian countries. Some of these programs, including the Luce Scholarship, the Boren Scholarship, and the Fulbright program, are especially prestigious and competitive. 

It can be difficult and overwhelming to try to understand these programs on your own - but never fear! Join Asian Studies and UMBC's very own Dr. Brian Souders, Fulbright Program Advisor extraordinaire, on Wednesday, September 7 (next week!) for a session that will illuminate the specific pros and cons of several of these programs, and outline some of the basics of their application processes. If you're thinking about studying abroad, either during or after your time at UMBC, this will be a great overview session - and we'll have snacks, too! Don't miss it! 

It's Welcome Week! 

New students and returning students can all find something interesting on the Welcome Week calendar! From departmental open houses and information tables to UMBC Athletics gameday festivities and neighborhood tours, Welcome Week is a lively celebration of all of the opportunities and events taking place on campus at the start of the semester. Be sure to check it out! 

UMBC Review Submission Deadline: Sept 16!

Have you completed a big research project or creative work during your time at UMBC? Consider submitting your work for publication in the UMBC Review! Learn more about this peer-reviewed journal - and how to submit your work - at https://ur.umbc.edu/umbc-review/submission-guidelines/. Note that the deadline for submissions is coming up in a few weeks - September 16! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Aug 31: First day of classes! Asian Studies welcome luncheon!
• Sept 7: Study Abroad Programs Info Session with Dr. Souders
• Sept 14: Deadline to drop a class without a "W," last day to add a class
  
• Sept 15: Deadline to apply for Fall 2022 Commencement