Study Abroad in East Asia

Studying abroad allows students to engage with the cultures of East Asia while rapidly progressing in their language abilities. The Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE) offers a number of study abroad opportunities organized or approved by Columbia University.

Listed below are all Columbia-led study abroad programs in East Asia. Many additional Columbia-approved programs in Korea, China, Nepal, Japan, Indonesia, and Mongolia are also available. Students interested in study abroad should see the UGE Find a Program page for a comprehensive list of offerings and options. Any questions should be addressed to the relevant UGE staff member listed for each program. East Asia Studies majors and concentrators should also discuss their plans to study abroad with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

For information about fellowships to help finance study abroad in East Asia, please see our Undergraduate Fellowships page.

Summer Study Abroad Programs

• Kyoto Summer Programs in Modern Japanese and Classical Japanese (KCJS)
  The Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS) program offers intensive language training for highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students who have completed at least one, two, three, or four years of college-level Japanese or the equivalent.
• Summer Business Chinese Program
  This nine-week program combines intensive study of Chinese for business purposes with a practical language practicum in a local or multinational business. Applicants must have completed at least two years of college-level Chinese.
• Summer Language Program in Beijing
  This nine-week program immerses you in Beijing and offers four levels of intensive Chinese language studies from first through fourth year. Reading, writing, speaking and listening are emphasized in the classroom, in drill sections, and through private tutorials. Group excursions in and around Beijing and a week-long travel break give you insight into Chinese society and lifestyle, and provide a variety of environments in which to use your language skills.

Semester and Year Study Abroad Programs

• Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS)
  The Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS) is a semester or academic year long program for undergraduates who wish to do work in Japanese language and Japanese studies. The program will help you strengthen your Japanese skills by providing intensive language training and regular interactions with host families and the local community. Applicants must have completed at least one year of college-level Japanese for the fall semester, and three semesters for the spring semester, or the equivalent.