We've probably all tried that hot new word-of-the-day game with the colorful squares. There are several variants of the original recipe, but maybe guessing English words is not enough of a challenge? If regular Wordle has lost its sparkle for you, give this Chinese-language variant a try! 

Learn Classical Chinese or Classical Japanese in Venice This Summer!

If you have at least one year of either Chinese or Japanese language experience, and are interested in studying any aspect of pre-modern China or Japan, take a look at this year's Princeton/Ca' Foscari Classical Chinese and Classical Japanese/Kanbun summer school! Taught by faculty from Princeton and Ca' Foscari Universities, the session takes place in July in central Venice. Students will learn the equivalent of one semester of either language. If you're interested, you can pre-apply on their website by the March 31 deadline.  

Asian Studies Faculty Candidates Visits and Presentations

Thank you to those of you who joined us last week for our first candidate presentation! If you were unable to attend, you still have an opportunity to meet our other two finalists. One of these three candidates will be joining Asian Studies in the fall. Be among the first on campus to hear from them as they answer the question, "What is Asia?" 

All student attendees will receive a t-shirt as well as a boxed lunch (sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie, bottled water) to take away. You are welcome to attend one or both of the remaining sessions. Because seating is limited due to Covid-19, be sure to RSVP on myUMBC if you plan to attend: 

• Friday, February 25, 9:45am Candidate Talk
• Monday, February 28, 11am Candidate Talk

Virtual Career and Internship Fair - This Friday!

More than 100 employers will be waiting to meet you at Friday's Virtual Career and Internship Fair - will you be there? Asian Studies students' language skills and research interests make them appealing candidates for employers in a variety of industries, from the government and non-profits to STEM and healthcare. To sign up, be sure to log into UMBCworks and click 'Attend' in the event's page! The fair will be open from 11:30-3:30 on Friday. 

National Bureau of Asian Research - Diversity Fellowship Info Session This Thursday

The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) is hosting an online information session at 3pm on Thursday, February 24, for students interested in applying to their summer Diversity Fellowship. The paid Fellowship begins remotely/virtually in May, and from June to August takes place at NBR's offices in Washington, DC. Students with freshman, sophomore, or junior standing who are interested in international affairs and foreign policy can learn more about the fellowship on NBR's website. The application deadline for the fellowship is March 27.

To RSVP for the online information session, please email Jerome Siangco [jsiangco@nbr.org]. If you are interested but not able to attend, Mr. Siangco is also happy to set up an appointment for an individual Q&A session. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Thursday, Feb 24, 3pm: NBR Fellowship Virtual Q&A (see above)
• Friday, Feb 25, 9:45am: Second Faculty Candidate Talk (see above)
• Friday, Feb 25, 11:30am: Virtual Career & Internship Fair (see above)
• Monday, Feb 28, 11am: Third Faculty Candidate Talk (see above)
• March 7: Internship/Independent Study Add-for-Credit Deadline

We hope your classes and semester are off to a great start! Snow is not uncommon here in Maryland in February, but this time last year, the residents of Sapa, Vietnam, enjoyed a rare heavy snowfall just before Tết. If you are hoping for more snow this winter on campus, you can enjoy more photos of this winter wonderland; but if you're ready for spring to arrive, the National Park Service has some good news about Washington, DC's famous springtime pink trees and their slightly earlier late-winter cousins.

Today: Last Day to Apply for Spring 2022 Graduation!

Seniors: are you planning to graduate this semester? Don't forget to apply for graduation! Today is the deadline to submit your application - see the Registrar's website for detailed instructions and additional information.

Asian Studies Faculty Candidate Presentations: "What is Asia?" 

All presentations will take place in Fine Arts 558. Students who attend one or more of these presentations will receive an Asian Studies 10th Anniversary shirt, and a boxed meal (to take away) - one shirt per student, one meal per session. Seating is limited due to Covid-19 policies: please click any of the three dates listed above to RSVP on myUMBC.

For two months of the year, visitors to Harbin in northeast China can brave the -40 degree temperatures to see the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival's sculptures illuminated in spectacular colors at night. Stay cozy and enjoy the sights of the 2019 festival from home with this Smithsonian Magazine article. A little closer to home, (seb) will be hosting iceless ice skating and snow tubing on the Library Plaza on campus this Friday.

Lunar New Year Celebration Continues

We're very excited by the response to our Lunar New Year celebration and our new Asian Studies shirts. If you haven't stopped by our office (Fine Arts 548) yet for New Year treats and a shirt, the event continues today and tomorrow. Although the food giveaway will end tomorrow, Asian Studies students are welcome to pick up a shirt any time this semester.

Spring 2022 Graduation Application Deadline: February 15

If you are planning to graduate this May, be sure to submit your graduation application before next week's deadline! The Registrar's website has everything you need to know. 

URCAD 2022 Applications Are Now Open

UMBC is a campus that recognizes its students' research at all levels; URCAD is the annual celebration of undergraduate research and creative achievements. If you've completed a big research or creative project this year, URCAD is a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise and accomplishments with the campus community and the public. The deadline to apply is February 18. Learn more at URCAD's website. Dr. Oyen is a great resource if you have questions about how to apply. 

Virtual Internship and Career Fair - February 25

The Career Center's popular Internship and Career Fair event will take place virtually later this month. More than 85 employers have already signed up, and they're all eager to meet UMBC students and recent graduates. For more information, and how to sign up to attend, visit the Career Center's website. 

Covid-19 Booster and Flu Shot Clinics - Feb 17 and March 3

If you're able, and haven't yet had a chance to get your seasonal flu vaccine or a Covid-19 booster, Retriever Integrated Health is hosting additional clinics on campus on February 17 (next Thursday) and on March 3 (also a Thursday). You can make an appointment on their website.

Roses are Pink, Chip's Tongue is too; for Valentine's Day, She Wants to See You!

Swing by the RAC on Valentine's Day (Monday next week, Feb 14) to hang out with Officer Chip! She and her entourage will have prize giveaways for all her Valentines, too. Check myUMBC for more information. 

Virtual Involvement Fest - This Week! 

Free Korean Online Classes with K-Buddy

K-Street is once again hosting its popular online, free Korean language-learning classes this semester! A variety of options are available, ranging from a Hangul masterclass to sessions focused on K-pop dances and Korean cooking. Learn more and sign up at K-Buddy's website. 

Virtual On-Demand Film Screening: "The Vow from Hiroshima"

Together with the Department of History and the Department of Language, Literacy, and Culture, Asian Studies will host an on-demand virtual film screening of "The Vow from Hiroshima," a documentary which tells the story of a survivor of the Hiroshima bombings and her lifelong quest to abolish nuclear weapons. The film will be available on-demand September 14-21. On Sept 21, a virtual presentation will take place - more information about this presentation, and how to sign up for the on-demand film screening, will be available soon. 

ASIANetwork Student Opportunities

ASIANetwork has announced three opportunities for undergraduate students, with deadlines throughout the fall semester: 

• Student Video Challenge (Interest App Due Oct 15)
  Students at an ASIANetwork school will work with students at Asian universities to produce a video presentation. 
• McJimsey Student Paper Competition (Submit by January 15, 2022)
  Undergraduates and 2021 graduates are invited to submit their work on Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, or the Asian Diaspora to this competition. The winner will receive a $200 cash prize and their essay will be published in ASIANetwork's journal. The winner and runners-up will also be invited to present their work at ASIANetwork's annual conference (April 8-10, 2022, Geneva, NY).
• Call for Poster Presentations (Submit by November 1, 2021)
  Students (individuals or groups of 2-4) may submit proposals for poster presentations to be given at ASIANetwork's annual conference (April 8-10, 2022, Geneva, NY). Details and additional information are available at the link above. 

UMBC Review Open for Submissions

The UMBC review is now accepting submissions for its 23rd edition (April 2022)! Undergraduates, or recent graduates who completed their work during their undergraduate career, from any discipline are welcome to submit their work for consideration. Submission deadline: Sept 17

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

• Sept 7 (today!): History Dept Welcome Reception, 11:30-12:45, Fine Arts North [pond side] 5th Floor Lobby
• Sept 9 (Thursday): Involvement Fest! (online and virtual)
• Sept 14-21: On-demand virtual film screening "The Vow from Hiroshima" (online presentation: Sept 21) - link and other info available soon!
• Sept 21: Fall 2021 Career and Internship Fair 
• Sept 26: Asian Studies Shirt Design Contest Deadline

Is there something you'd like to see in these Asian Studies bulletins? Let us know! 

[myUMBC thumbnail image ID: a stylized and sleek illustration of two white rabbits leaping in front of a dark blue background. in the top right corner, a large depiction of a golden full moon is visible. the top of a sheaf of rice is visible in the lower left corner.]