Job Opportunities with SAADA

The South Asian American Digital Archive is hiring for two full-time, exempt positions! 

Community Engagement Coordinator - this position will work with members of the South Asian American community to establish relationships with donors and volunteers who can contribute to supporting SAADA's work. Learn more about the position here.

Education Outreach Manager - this position will work directly with educators and administrators to ensure that South Asian American stories form an integral, meaningful part of K-12 and college/university curricula. Learn more about this position here. 

Asian Studies Summer Office Hours

The Asian Studies office is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30-1:30, in June and August. If you are on campus, please feel free to stop by and say hello - we're always happy to see you and to help with anything you might need. 

The office will be closed for in-person assistance from July 2-20. We are always available by email, and you can also reach Dr. Oyen directly by email at any time, too. 

Congratulations to our Spring 2022 Asian Studies B.A. recipients! 

We are so proud of all of you and your accomplishments! Best wishes to you on your next chapters. 

Be sure to let us know about what you're up to in the future, so that we can share your triumphs and achievements with everyone! 

Congratulations again!

The end of the semester is quickly approaching. There are plenty of resources on campus to support you as we get to finals season - one of those is Retriever Essentials, which has recently debuted its new Essential Space in the RAC. Anyone in need can swing by to pick up non-perishable food, toiletries, and other items, all free, and all available to anyone in the UMBC community. 

TESOL Program Information Sessions

UMBC's TESOL program is hosting two information sessions in early May for students who may be interested in teaching English after they finish their other UMBC studies. The sessions focus on local and global opportunities to teach English in a variety of settings such as international schools, language schools, public schools, community colleges/universities, adult education, missionary work, refugee resettlement, and more as well as the different kinds of professional training needed for these career directions. 

Both sessions will cover the same material. Click on either session below for registration details and more information: 

Thursday, May 5 session - 8-9am
Friday, May 9 session - 6-7pm

Calls for Papers and Proposals

MARAAS - October 1-2, 2022 - Philadelphia

The 50th meeting of MARAAS will take place on October 1 and 2 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. As we celebrate the 50th annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Association for Asian Studies, we consider this question: Where is Asian studies now?

We welcome applications for panels of 3–4 people as well as individual paper submissions. Panel proposals may include a discussant, and members of panels may be from the same institution.

Please visit the conference website to submit paper or panel proposals by May 23, 2022. 

ASIANetwork Annual Conference - April 14-16, 2023 - Columbus, Ohio

The ASIANetwork invites students to submit poster proposals for their 2023 conference in Columbus, Ohio. Posters can be on any topic relating to Asian Studies and can be from any academic discipline. 

Learn more about submission guidelines at the conference website. The proposal submission deadline is November 1, 2022. 

ASIANetwork is also accepting submissions for its McJimsey Essay Award. If you've written a great essay about something related to Asian Studies, consider applying for this award, which comes with a cash prize, an opportunity to present your work at the ASIANetwork annual conference, and publication of your work. You have plenty of time - the submission deadline is January 2023 - but if you're interested in submitting your work, contact Dr. Oyen. 

NeMLA 2023 - March 23-26, 2023 - Niagara Falls, NY

The Northeast Modern Language Association's 54th annual conference will be held in Niagara Falls, New York, in March 2023. The association welcomes abstract proposals on the theme of Resilience. Undergraduate proposals are due November 1, 2022. Visit their conference website to learn more about NeMLA and their Call for Papers.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• TESOL Info Sessions - May 5 and May 9 (see above)
• May 17: Last Day of Classes; last day for full-term withdrawal
• May 18: Study Day
• May 19-22: Finals 
• May 26: Spring 2022 Undergraduate Commencement

Happy new year - sursedey chnam thmey! In addition to diasporic communities' celebrations around the world, the Khmer community in Cambodia celebrated the three days of Cambodian New Year late last week with some of the first large-scale festivals there since Covid began in 2020. You can learn more about Cambodian, or Khmer, New Year - including why it's observed in April, rather than in January or February - on the Siem Reap website. 

URCAD All Week!

Join the UMBC community in celebrating the wonderful research and creative achievements of our students at URCAD 2022, taking place online asynchronously now through April 24. 

Fall 2022 Advising Continues

Fall 2022 Course Spotlight

Looking for an elective for Fall 2022? Over the next few weeks, we'll highlight some course offerings that count towards your Asian Studies program requirements. 

HIST 436 - The Rise of China and the United States' Response
Dr. Oyen
In person, Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-3:45pm
The relationship between the United States and China is one of the most critical for peace and stability in world affairs. The long history of cooperation and competition between the two powers dates to the 18th century, long before either emerged as a superpower, but continues today. This course helps students analyze developments in this diplomatic relationship on all levels, from the presidential to the personal, while keeping an eye on the future.
Recommended Course Preparation: Upper division course in History or Political Science, U.S. Foreign Policy.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

As spring continues to roll across Maryland, it's also in full swing elsewhere around the world. Even if it's dreary today here on campus, you can always take a few moments to tune into part of this archived stream from China's CGTV channel of last year's scenery around the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall of China. 

For those celebrating this coming weekend, we wish you a happy Passover and a happy Easter! 

Advising and Registration for Fall 2022 are Ongoing!

Advising and registration for Fall 2022 is underway. If you have already had your advising appointment, great - thank you! If you still need to schedule one, that's okay! Learn more about signing up for Fall 2022 classes on our website, or check out our myUMBC notice. 

Remember: you must have your advising clearance from Dr. Oyen before you can sign up for classes. If you're not sure what classes you want to take, it's okay to think about it and complete your registration later - talk to Dr. Oyen about your options at your advising appointment! 

Tomorrow: Lecturer Candidate Presentation - 11am

We hope that you'll be able to join us as we welcome a faculty candidate to campus tomorrow. The candidate will give a presentation entitled "What is Asia?" at 11am in Fine Arts 558. Students are welcome to attend in-person or via WebEx online; in-person attendees will receive a free boxed lunch and, if they'd like one, an Asian Studies t-shirt. You can RSVP for the presentation on the myUMBC event page!  

Summer Registration is Ongoing!

Thinking about a summer class, but haven't signed up quite yet? There's still time! Visit the Summer Session website to learn more about course offerings, financial aid, and other important details about catching up or getting ahead during the summer term. Dr. Oyen can also help you with any summer session questions during your Fall advising appointment. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

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[Thumbnail image ID: Part of the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall of China crosses a ridge. The ridge is blanketed in trees covered with new green leaves and bright pink flowers.]

Spring is in full swing now that April is here - have you tried any springtime Japanese snacks? Although Starbucks Japan and other corporations are well-known for their extensive sakura-theme treats and merchandise, there are plenty of other seasonal items available that are worth checking out, many of which may be available here in Maryland, too. Check out Tokyo Cheapo's article and consider giving one or two a try this season! 

Advising and Registration Now Available!

Advising is now available for Fall 2022, and registration begins today for many students. Learn more about signing up for Fall 2022 classes on our website or on our myUMBC notice. 

Ramadan Mubarak!

To those who are celebrating this month, we wish you a generous Ramadan and easy fasts. Campus Dining has shared information on their myUMBC page about special hours and offerings for those who are observing the holiday.

Lecturer Candidate Presentation - April 13, 11am

Asian Studies is hiring a new lecturer, and one of our candidates will be visiting campus next week to give a presentation called "What is Asia?" The event is available in-person and online via WebEx. In-person attendees will receive a lunch and an Asian Studies t-shirt! Learn more about the event, and RSVP to attend in person or virtually, on the myUMBC event page! 

State Department Fall 2022 Internships Available

Are you looking for an internship for this fall? Consider applying for a position with the US Department of State. These paid opportunities ($17.50/hr) are extremely competitive and valuable on a resume, and positions exist in a variety of bureaus within the Department. The deadline to apply is very soon - either April 12, or when they receive 1,000 applications - so if you are interested, don't delay! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Now: Fall 2022 advising and registration
• Thursday, April 7: Mental Health Community Day
• Monday, April 11: last day to withdraw from individual courses
• April 13, 11am: Lecturer Candidate "What is Asia?" talk (see above)

Advising for Fall 2022 is now available! 

Visit our website for detailed information about the advising and registration process for Fall 2022. We also have a list of the classes offered this fall that count towards an Asian Studies degree, minor, or certificate. 

Just need a quick refresher? Keep reading! 

Registration for Fall 2022 classes begins Tuesday, April 5! 

Follow these three steps before your registration window opens so that you can hit the ground running! 

We hope you had a relaxing spring break! This week's snow and the cold temperatures may have dampened local cherry blossom viewing prospects, but there are plenty of events happening elsewhere! In Korea, the southern city of Jinhae will host the Jinhae Gunhangje, the country's largest flower festival, starting this Friday and running for a little over a week. This blog post includes some of the top things to see and do at the festival - even if you can't get to Korea this week, you can enjoy it virtually!

Fall 2022 Advising and Schedule of Classes Now Available

The Fall 2022 schedule of classes went live yesterday! Explore your options for the coming fall semester in the Class Search. We'll also be putting together a quick-reference guide on the Asian Studies website for you to highlight classes that count towards the Asian Studies major, minor, and certificate programs - stay tuned! 

Students with Asian Studies majors or minors, you can get advising with Dr. Oyen now. Fill out this Google Form to get started! 

Advance registration for Fall 2022 begins next week (April 5). Students have a specific registration start date and time, based on the number of credits they have earned. You can see your start date and time in your myUMBC account, or via the calendar on the Registrar's website.

Kaplan Scholarship - App Deadline April 20

The Louis L. Kaplan scholarship application is now available in Scholarship Retriever. The scholarship is open to any UMBC student who will have finished at least 60 credits by the start of Fall 2022, who have at least a 3.0 GPA and have a demonstrated commitment to their community. The award amount varies each year; individual awards in the past have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000.

The application requires up to three letters of recommendation from UMBC faculty members, so if you are interested in applying, please contact your professors soon! 

April is Career Month at the Career Center!

The Career Center is hosting its annual Career Month, featuring an expanded slate of programs for students looking for jobs and internships. With events happening almost every day, there are tons of opportunities for networking, skill-building, and learning more about potential career paths. Visit the Career Center's website for general information about Career Month, or check out their calendar for a quick overview. 

Online Art Exhibition - Artistic Exchange Between Korea and Japan

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Now: Fall 2022 advising (see above) 
• Thursday, March 31: Career Month Kick-off (see above)
• Friday, April 1: Housing Selection application deadline for students planning to live on campus in the 2022-23 academic year
• Tuesday, April 5: Fall 2022 registration begins
• Wednesday, April 6, 4:30pm: UMBC Community Read [online]
• Monday, April 11: Last day to drop an individual course

Asia and the Russia-Ukraine War Online Event - Tuesday

Tuesday, March 15 at 2:30pm, join Dr. Brian Carlson from the Center for Security Studies for a panel discussion. Together with Dr. Brian Grodsky and Dr. Devin Hagerty from UMBC's Political Science department, will consider the influences and roles of Russia's Asian neighbors in the current conflict in Ukraine. Dr. Oyen will moderate the conversation. 

For the link to join the online event, and more information about the speakers, see the attached flier. The event's myUMBC listing is available here. 

An Insider's Guide to Fulbright and UMBC's TESOL International Partnerships - Wednesday

Did you know that UMBC TESOL students have won the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student scholarship to teach English overseas? If you’re interested in learning more about applying for a Fulbright U.S. Student award, and UMBC's graduate-level TESOL program (and its overseas partnerships and connections), don't miss this conversation with Dr. Jiyoon Lee (International Coordinator, UMBC TESOL), Dr. Brian Souders (Fulbright Program Advisor), and TESOL Fulbright alumni. 

Join them on Wednesday evening, 7-8pm, online - register for the event by emailing TESOL@umbc.edu with "Fulbright and TESOL Event" in the subject line. 

Summer Chinese Language Immersion at Indiana University

Still making summer plans and not sure what you want to do? Consider Indiana University's Chinese Immersion program! This opportunity offers four levels of instruction, from beginner to advanced, on-campus in Indiana. Applications for rolling admission are accepted through May 6, 2022. Dr. Oyen can assist interested students with their applications or any questions they may have. 

If an immersion or in-person program isn't the right fit for you this year, but you're still interested in intensive Asian language classes, consider one of Indiana's other programs, including not just Korean and Japanese, but also Kyrgyz, Mongolian, Pashto, and Vietnamese. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Now/ongoing: Summer 2022 registration is available
• Today (March 14), 12-2pm: Pie Day event 
• Tuesday, March 15: Asia and the Russia-Ukraine War (online) [see above]
• Wednesday, March 16, 7-8pm: TESOL and Fulbright Info Session (online) [see above]
• March 20-27: UMBC Spring Break (UMBC closed March 21-23, no classes March 21-25)
• Monday, March 28: Fall 2022 schedule of courses available online (get ready for advising!)
• Friday, April 1, 5pm: Housing selection deadline for on-campus housing for the 2022-23 academic year 

Study Abroad Application Deadline - Thursday!

If you are planning to participate in a study abroad program, UMBC's application deadline for Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and academic year 2022-23 programs is Thursday, March 10! If you have not yet completed the steps indicated in this myUMBC post from the Education Abroad office, be sure to do so as soon as possible. 

Programs that start in or after Spring 2023 have a separate deadline - the Education Abroad team can help with any questions or concerns you may have. 

USAJOBS Info Session and Application Tips - Thursday!

If you're considering a job with the federal government after graduation, you'll need to know how to use USAJOBS. From decoding the sometimes technical and confusing language in the job listings, to tailoring your resume and responding to online questionnaires, Thursday's online session will give attendees a good foundation for their future federal job searches. Learn more, and find out how to sign up, at the Career Center's myUMBC page.

Paid On-Campus Internships with Democracy and Civic Life

Thinking about an internship for the next academic year? Consider one of the three paid opportunities available from UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life! The full-academic-year internships require a 15-20 hour/wk commitment, on average. The deadline to apply is April 4, 2022 - for more information, view the Center for Democracy and Civic Life's myUMBC post. 

Advising is Coming

Though it seems like we just started the Spring 2022 semester, advising for Fall 2022 is on the horizon. Stay tuned for more information! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Now: Summer 2022 registration is open! If you're thinking about summer as an opportunity to catch up or get ahead in your studies, you can set up an advising appointment with Dr. Oyen using her Calendly link. 
• Thursday, March 10, 1pm: USAJOBS online info session [see above]
• Thursday, March 10: Study Abroad application deadline [see above]
• March 20-27: Spring break!

[thumbnail image ID: An aerial photograph taken on a misty morning, showing a road snaking along the crest of a series of hills on a tea plantation in Fujian, China. The road is lined with cherry trees, many of which are in brilliant pink bloom. In the distance are additional fog-shrouded mountains.]