Off-Campus Study

There's no better way to study a language and culture than to live in it.

There are several off-campus study programs in East and South Asia listed on the Off-Campus Study Options List, including a few programs of which Bowdoin College is a consortium member. These are academically rigorous and also offer plenty of opportunities to engage all aspects of life in the host country. Most include homestay. We strongly recommend that students spend a semester or year studying in Asia. It will change your life.

Study Away Programs in China

Study Away Programs in Japan

CET partners with Middlebury College to operate programs in Beijing (focus on political science, economics, and the arts, at Capital Normal University), Hangzhou (focus on history and religious studies, at Zhejiang University of Technology), and Kunming (focus on anthropology, minority studies, and environmental studies, at Yunnan University). All programs immerse students through challenging coursework, a language pledge, and Chinese roommates. Minimum 1 year college-level Chinese required.

To learn more about this program, visit Middlebury College Chinese School

Intensive Chinese language program hosted by Minzu University of China. Small class, one-on-one, and one-on-two instruction. Twenty hours/week for language classes. Language pledge. Minimum 1 year college-level Chinese required.

To learn more about this program, visit Associated Colleges in China (ACC Program) in Beijing

Large university offering Chinese language courses and other courses in Chinese studies, Asian studies, and international studies, taught in English or Chinese.

To learn more about this program, visit The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

A high-quality intensive program in intermediate and advanced Chinese language study for the serious language student. In order to maintain the ideal language environment for every student in the program, all students are required to sign a language pledge.

To learn more about this program, visit Princeton in Beijing

For intermediate (second year) to advanced (fourth year) Chinese students at Harbin Institute of Technology. Twenty hours/week for language classes. Language pledge and Chinese roommates. Minimum 1 year college-level Chinese required.

To learn more about this program, visit CET Program in Harbin

Students take Chinese language classes eleven hours/week at Capital Normal University, and Chinese studies courses in English. They give back to their local community in Beijing through service-learning projects. Chinese roommates. No language prerequisite.

To learn more about this program, visit CET Chinese Studies and Service-Learning in Beijing

Intensive Chinese language program at Beijing Institute of Education. For serious students of Chinese at all levels. Twenty hours/week for language classes. Language pledge and Chinese roommates. No language prerequisite.

To learn more about this program, visit CET Beijing Chinese Language Program

A program for résumé builders at Donghua University in Shanghai. Eleven hours/week for Chinese language classes, and at least eight hours/week for internship at a company or organization of interest in Shanghai. Electives in economics, history, and political science are taught in English. Local roommates. No language prerequisite.

To learn more about this program, visit CET Chinese Studies and Internship in Shanghai

One-or two-semester program based at the School of International Liberal Studies (SILS) at Waseda University in Tokyo. Homestay or dormitory. With the exception of Japanese language classes, all courses are conducted in English. No Japanese language or Japan-related course requirement, 3.0 GPA.

To learn more about this program, visit Waseda University, School of International Liberal Studies

One- or two-semester program based at Sophia University in Tokyo. Homestay or dormitory. Must have a 3.0 GPA.

To learn more about this program, visit Sophia University

One- or two-semester program based at Doshisha University in historic Kyoto. Homestay. Requires at least 1 year of Japanese language, one other Japan-related course, 3.0 overall GPA.

To learn more about this program, visit Associated Kyoto Program

One- or two-semester program based at Doshisha University in historic Kyoto. Homestay or apartment. Requires at least 1 year of college-level Japanese language for the fall semester and three semesters for the spring semester, 3.0 language and overall GPA.

To learn more about this program, visit Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies

One or two-semester program located on the shore of Lake Biwa in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Homestay or residence hall. No Japanese language requirement, 2.5 overall GPA.

To learn more about this program, visit Japan Center for Michigan Universities Program

One- or two-semester program based at Nanzan University's Center for Japanese Studies in Nagoya. Off-site orientation, field trips. Homestay or dormitory housing. Requires at least 1 year of college-level Japanese language, one other Japan-related course, 3.0 overall GPA.

To learn more about this program, visit Nanzan Program

Eight-week long summer Japanese language and culture program located in Hakodate, Hokkaido. Homestay. Requires at least one semester of college-level Japanese language.

To learn more about this program, visit Summer Program: Hokkaido International Foundation (HIF)

Intensive six-week Japanese language program at the Summer Courses in Japanese (SCJ) at International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo. Homestay or dormitory. No Japanese language requirement.

To learn more about this program, visit Summer Program: International Christian University (ICU)

Study Away Programs in South Asia

Students interested in studying abroad in South Asia have historically done so primarily through the ISLE Program, which offers language courses that fulfill the South Asian language requirement for the major.

The Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education (ISLE) Program helps you develop the tools to navigate Sri Lanka as a cultural insider and informed researcher. This fascinating island is your classroom, as you learn the local language, live with host families, and conduct an independent study project on one of its deeply rooted traditions or contemporary post-war challenges.

To learn more about this program, visit The Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education (ISLE) Program.

Asian Studies

Off-Campus Study

Study Away Programs in China

Study Away Programs in Japan

Middlebury College Chinese School

Associated Colleges in China (ACC Program) in Beijing

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Princeton in Beijing

CET Program in Harbin

CET Chinese Studies and Service–Learning in Beijing

CET Beijing Chinese Language Program

CET Chinese Studies and Internship in Shanghai

Waseda University, School of International Liberal Studies

Sophia University

Associated Kyoto Program

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies

Japan Center for Michigan University Program

Nanzan Program

Summer Program: Hokkaido International Foundation (HIF)

Summer Program: International Christian University (ICU)

Study Away Programs in South Asia

ISLE Program