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Academics

The Southeast Asia Program (SEAP) supports all Cornell students interested Southeast Asia, including undergraduate majors and minors, master's students in the Department of Asian Studies, and graduate students across campus. Explore our website for more information on joining SEAP or pursuing a graduate degree with us.

You can study six Southeast Asian languages at Cornell—Burmese, Indonesian, Khmer, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese—offered at four levels of instruction.

Cornell students studying in Cambodia with Professor Kaja McGowan

Learning a Southeast Asian language will allow you to develop a more profound understanding the region and unlock a world of exciting new experiences. To learn more, visit our course listings. You can also take advantage of summer language study programs in Southeast Asian languages and study abroad programs in Southeast Asia tailored to various disciplines and interests.

SEAP can support you with funding for language study and study abroad, especially once you start learning a Southeast Asian language. 

SEAP has established internships with a variety of partner organizations and institutions in Southeast Asia, offering you practical field experience within specific fields and helping you broaden your global knowledge. We will help students explore virtual internships and other connections while travel restrictions are in place, and encourage students to study a Southeast Asian language at Cornell to prepare for future opportunities!

If you would like to receive regular updates about SEAP events, funding deadlines, career opportunities, and more, be sure to fill out our student form.

Summer Language Study

There are a number of summer language study programs SEAP students can take advantage of, both in the U.S. and abroad. SEAP provides funding for these experiences. 

Study Abroad

Take your outside of the classroom and overseas! Study abroad for a semester or an academic year in Southeast Asia and deepen your knowledge of the region. SEAP works with the Office of Global Learning and Experience Cornell to curate study abroad opportunities in Southeast Asia. 

Winter Session Study Abroad

Cornell students pose in front of Ankor Wat

Don't have time to go jetting off during the academic year? SEAP faculty run unique opportunities for experiential learning in Southeast Asia during winter session.

Winter session 2024 will feature "Labor Development and Society" with Richard Fincher, Esq. To prepare for CU in Cambodia, students should plan to take KHMER 1100 “Elements of Khmer Language and Culture” this fall with Hannah Phan. The course will introduce basic Khmer/Cambodian language and culture to anyone with interest in the subject matter, those planning to travel to Cambodia, heritage students, etc.

Email cu-in-cambodia@cornell.edu to receive updates and information on how to apply.

Previous courses have included: 

All SEAP Academics

Use the filters below to explore our programs, internships, and study abroad opportunities.

Program
Earn two semesters of language credit at SEASSI this summer!
Study Abroad Opportunity
Study Indonesian language and culture in Salatiga, Indonesia.
Minor
A minor in Asian studies is an excellent way for students in any major to supplement their main course of study.
Master's

This program is designed for students who did not major in Asian Studies as undergraduates or who want more work in language and area

Major
A major in Asian Studies is rewarding for students of all backgrounds, as the global presence of Asia becomes ever more visible. This degree offers students career opportunities in law, business, government, journalism, arts, education, post-secondary education, and more.
Study Abroad Opportunity
Attend a fully-funded summer overseas language program with a Critical Language Scholarship.
Study Abroad Opportunity
The ILR International Programs Office and the Scheinman Institute are offering a winter break Engaged Learning opportunity in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Study Abroad Opportunity
CU in Cambodia Winter Program
Study Abroad Opportunity
The CKS Khmer Language and Culture Study Program (KLCP) provides an opportunity for faculty, post-graduate researchers and undergraduates from U.S. universities to participate in an intensive eight-week study abroad program in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Study Abroad Opportunity
Spend your semester in Cambodia, learning about threats to ecosystems and natural resources, environmental governance, and the ethics of conservation and development.