Contact:
Professor Kate Kaup
Furman Hall 222
864.294.3150
kate.kaup@furman.edu
For over a decade, Furman has run the annual Fall term study away program in China. The program includes a three week educational tour of China that in recent years has featured visits to Beijing, the Great Wall, Xi’an, Dunhuang, Tibet, Chengdu, Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Guilin, and Huangshan. This is followed by a term of study at Soochow University in Suzhou where students take Chinese language courses and a Contemporary Chinese Society class specially taught for our program by Chinese instructors and a course taught by a Furman faculty China specialist. Each Furman student is assigned a Chinese roomate and has the opportunity to participate in a substantive internship. The program also includes a home stay experience and a number of field trips in and around Suzhou. Applications are available in the Asian Studies suite during the preceding Winter term. Typically, between ten and twenty-five applicants are accepted. Participants must take part in the Spring orientation program. Full Furman credit is earned for all three classes as well as three Cultural Life Program credits.
Daniel Sperry, 2005 Fall in China participant straddling the Great Wall
Memorable China experiences from 2004 participant Christy Campbell
Click to See Fall In China 2007 Pictures
The Department of Asian Studies sponsors a summer travel-study program for incoming freshman which is funded by the Curry Gift for Chinese Studies as well as a generous donation from the Tucker family. In exchange for joining the program, Curry Scholars commit to completing one year of Chinese language study at Furman upon their return. The group travels to China to participate in a week-long Dialogue Across Cultures workshop with an equal number of Soochow University students. For three hours each morning the Furman and Soochow students engage in seminar sessions on topics of intersection between China and the West led by two Soochow professors and two Furman professors. This workshop is followed by a study tour of China including Beijing, the Great Wall, and Southern China. For a detailed tour of the 2005 Summer China Experience please click here to view Dr. Benson's website!
Summer China Experience 2005 participants, Class of 2009
Matt Alexander, SCE 2005 participant, with Suzhou student Dai Kai
In Spring 2005, the Department of Asian Studies established an agreement with the School of Foreign Study at Soochow University for several of our graduates to teach English and study Chinese language and culture for one year in Suzhou. The program is supported by the Curry Gift for Chinese Studies and Soochow University.Four Furman graduates taught in Suzhou in 2005-2006, and another group of four Furman graduate are currently participating in the program. Of her experience, participant Liz O'Grady says:
"My students are from Korea and are everything I could have hoped for -
they are sweet, respectful, funny and work very hard in class to do the tasks
I assign. I try to make it as fun as possible for them. Last week's lesson took
some planning, but I developed 4 different activities for them to do, each
having to do with taking a trip or asking for directions. After two hours of
working in groups (I do as little talking in front of the class as possible) I
stopped them and played some American music which I knew they would
recognize (i.e. Eminem, Jay-Z, No Doubt, and Outkast). I couldn't help but
dance to some of the songs and the sight of this made my class laugh and
some of them danced right back. My class laughs often, something I try to
encourage because I want them as comfortable as possible with me so they
will want to speak and learn English. I make it a point to smile as much as
possible when in class and my students are really responding well to my
efforts. I really enjoy teaching them."
Liz O'Grady and fellow Furman Teachers in China participants at the Garden of Harmony in Suzhou
Soochow University
Contact:
Professor Shusuke Yagi
Riley Hall 109B
864.294.3184
shusuke.yagi@furman.edu
For students interested in gaining first-hand experience in Japan, Furman’s Department of Asian Studies offers exchange program opportunities with Waseda University (Tokyo) and Kansai Gaidai University (Osaka). Japan boasts an exceptional public transportation system which makes travel very easy in one of the world's safest countries. Students are required to undertake at least one Japanese language course during their stay.
Waseda University is an ideal place for students wishing to advance their mastery of the Japanese language. Each year, a maximum of two Furman students travel to this ultra-urban university to undertake Japanese language, Asian Studies, and general interest courses with an emphasis on language study. In order to study at Waseda, students must have had at least one course in Japanese language and preferably be willing to commit to one year of study at the university. Accommodation is typically in an international dormitory. To read about a Furman student's experience at Waseda, click here!
The Kansai Gaidai exchange program can serve as an introduction to Japan or as a center for continued Japanese study as the program has no prerequisites and offers students the choice of either one term or full year periods of study. Kansai Gaidai University is located in the Kansai region of Japan, home to the ancient Kyoto and Nara capitols. Most students live with a host Japanese family, allowing them to be fully immersed in Japanese culture.
The belltower at Waseda University (Deas Richardson)
2004 Japan foreign study participant Deas Richardson with his host family at his host brother's wedding
Recognizing India’s historical and contemporary significance in the world, the Asian Studies Department launched the first Study Away program in 2008. The India study away provides opportunity for Furman students to learn from across various disciplines and to cultivate intellectual exchanges with Indian students, scholars, artists, activists, and business leaders. With successful programs to China and Japan, the Asian Studies Department is complementing Furman’s extensive overseas study by making India more than an object of classroom study. India is a place with its own diverse intellectual and cultural productions and deliberations, socio-political and economic specificities. Furman’s India specialists ensured that students have discussions with Indian experts, practitioners, writers, politicians, worshippers, and citizens.
The trip centered in a few hub cities from where the group made excursions
to rural and urban architectural, environmental, and historical locations,
commercial and industrial entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) ,
and multi-religious sites . At all sites, students met local people, including
educators from both secondary and university levels, members of local
governments, and members of industry (such as: software, film, handicra
fts).
Contact:
Asian Studies Department
Furman Hall Suite 222
864.294.2545
Along with the above programs, various short term study abroad and internship opportunities can be pursued by students in the Asian Studies Department. These opportunities are arranged on a individual basis with faculty members, offering students the chance to gain meaningful experience to fit their personal career or academic goals. Students interested in these opportunities should contact the Asian Studies Department for further information.
Children celebrate Universal Children's Day in Shanghai, China by dancing and playing games. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Chen Fei)
May Experience 2009: Business Practices in China