Asia on E Street

Taiwan Scholarship

2012-01-25T12:48:00.000-05:00

The TUSA Ambassador Summer Scholarship Program is being offered again this year to U.S. college and university students who are interested in studying the Mandarin Chinese language during the months of July and August. The scholarship covers tuition, dormitory fees, four excursions and incidental insurance. Meals are not included and students must provide their own airfare to and from Taiwan.

It provides a quality Mandarin Chinese immersion program with emphasis on speaking... but also on listening, reading and writing.

In addition to studying at a first-rate university, students learn about Taiwanese culture and will visit several interesting sites to become more familiar with Taiwan and her people. The program has been created with special focus on students without Chinese/Taiwanese heritage, so prior knowledge or experience with the Mandarin language is not needed. Each U.S. student is paired with a Taiwanese study partner to assist in the language and cultural study program.

The application period is 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012. Completed applications received prior to 15 February 2012 will be reviewed for early acceptance and reported to the applicant within 10 days of that date. All remaining applications, including those not awarded early admission, will be reviewed and reported by 10 April 2012. Please apply online
at:

www.taiwanusalliance.com.

Student Perspectives

2012-01-24T11:46:00.004-05:00

New Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Korea’s Horizons?

During the spring of 2011, I completed research on the agricultural regulations outlined in the then-proposed Korea-United States (KORUS) FTA. Much to my surprise, I was studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea this fall when the FTA finally passed. While researching, I inserted pictures of South Korean FTA protests in my paper, yet last semester, I was stumbling upon such protests in areas like Seoul Station and Gwanghawmun.

The opinions I heard from my Korean friends in Seoul were varied. While most I talked with stated concern for Korean markets, specifically the agricultural market, a few felt that the FTAs would ultimately make Korea more competitive in the global field. One group of friends happily remarked that the FTA would bring the US and Korea closer, although this was not a concern for most. I only wished I could have spoken to older Koreans about their stances, particularly those in the agricultural field.

With the KORUS FTA finally passed, my attention is turning to budding FTA negotiations between Korea and China. These preliminary talks have earned President Lee Myung-Bak the nickname ‘FTA President’ and have created more cause for concern among many Koreans. Korea’s FTAs with the European Union and the United States have already critically impacted Korean agriculture and small businesses.

Could these Korean markets withstand the impact of a Sino-Korean FTA? Can the government afford to keep prolonging the measures they put into place to lessen the blow, such as covering 90% of the loss on farming equipment and offering two million US dollars in loans to manufacturing businesses that report a 5-10% drop in sales? And how will the KORUS relationship fare if such an agreement is made? With Lee’s administration stepping down this year, it will be interesting to see where the next administration takes these talks.

With a return to Korea in mind, perhaps I haven’t seen the last of Korean anti-FTA protests.

-Kayla Howe
BA International Affairs, 2012
George Washington University

Students!

Do you have any more interesting personal stories related to Asian affairs that you want to share on our blog? Then, we would like to hear from you! Please submit your stories to:

asia@gwu.edu

Live Conference Streaming

2012-01-23T09:11:00.003-05:00

Don't forget to join us this morning for our conference, "India as a Global Power: Contending Views From India," happening this morning at 9:30.

Please click:

http://elliott.gwu.edu/news/events/2012/india-global-power.cfm

Live Streaming of India As A Global Power Conference

2012-01-20T14:54:00.007-05:00

On Monday, January 23, 2012, around 9:30 am EST, there will be a live conference streaming of India As A Global Power: Contending Views From India sponsored by The Sigur Center for Asian Studies' Rising Powers Initiative at the Elliott School and The Center for New American Security.

This session includes prominent speakers:

ManMani Shankar Aiyar, Member of the Indian Parliament in Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

Bharat Karnad, Research Professor and Author of Indian's Nuclear Policy, and Future Imperiled: India's Security in the 1990s and Beyond

Lalit Mansingh, Diplomatic Advisor to the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman for the FICCI India - U.S. Policy Group.

TN Ninan, President of the Editor's Guild of India, and Chairman and Chief Editor of Business Standard.

Join us monday morning for the topic discussion of Indian Views on National Security by clicking the following link:

Live Streaming

Career Development Fellowships

2012-01-18T13:55:00.005-05:00

Career Development Fellowships

Deadline: April 2, 2012

Purpose:

Career Development Fellowships are intended to assist students who are working/interning either full- or part-time and are pursuing or wish to pursue graduate (Master's level) study at GW to enhance their knowledge and skills. Assumed is that these students will add the dimension of real world experience to the classroom and that they will, in turn, employ the new knowledge and skills from their courses at GW in the workplace.

Eligibility:

Employed full- or part-time in a position (job or internship, paid or unpaid) directly related to the student's degree program. (GW employees are not eligible) In accordance with University policy, full-time students may not have full-time jobs. Current or incoming GW graduate students with a minimum 3.4 GPA who have been accepted to one of the Master's degree programs listed below and who will be enrolled for the 2012-2013 academic year (Fall 2012 & Spring 2013). (Students enrolled in off-campus locations are not eligible)

Note: These are not simply areas of study, but are specific Master's degree programs. Students who are not in one of these specific programs on the Foggy Bottom campus are not eligible to apply and will not be considered, regardless of whether their area of study is related.

Click here for the complete list of accepted Master's programs

Registration Requirements:

Priority will be given to students who are studying full-time, but a limited number of awards will be given to students who are studying part-time (and may be employed full-time). Full-time students must be registered for at least three courses (9 credit hours) per semester. Part-time students must be registered for two courses (6 credit hours) per semester. These requirements do not apply to students in their last semester who need only one or two courses to complete their programs.

Award:

Awards will cover 50% of tuition (excluding fees) (does not count towards Spring 2012).

Required Documents:

Application Form

Essay

The essay will be the most heavily weighted factor in your application package. Therefore, it should be thoughtfully written with concrete, detailed examples of the impact your studies have on your work and VICE VERSA. (Essays which cover only one aspect will severely hamper the applicant's chances of being awarded a Career Development Fellowship, regardless of other qualifications.)

This essay should not be more than two pages, double-spaced, and should include your academic and professional interests. The essay should explain, in detail:

-how your current professional position will enable you to make a positive contribution to your academic program

-how your academic program enhances your skills and knowledge for your current placement (job or internship) and is relevant to your future career goals.

Transcripts

Current full-time students with at least 9 GW credit hours completed and part-time students with at least 6 GW credit hours complete are only required to submit GW transcripts. If you do not meet this requirement, you must submit undergraduate transcripts. Incoming students must submit undergraduate transcripts.

Resume

Your resume should include relevant work and internship experiences, degrees earned, honors and/or awards, and community service activities.

Recommendations

Two recommendations are required. One must come from the employer or internship supervisor and one from a professor. If you have not yet begun your internship or job, you may submit a recommendation from a current or previous employer.

Please submit completed applications and all supporting materials to:

The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships

2121 Eye Street, NW, Rice Hall 302

The George Washington University

Washington, DC 20052

For more information, please contact:

Eileen Lavelle

Fellowship CoordinatorGraduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships

The George Washington University

2121 Eye Street, NW, Suite 302

Washington, DC 20052

Phone: 202-994-6828

Fax: 202-994-8845

Web: www.gwu.edu/~fellows

Taking Advantage of Short Term International Opportunities

2012-01-11T11:35:00.005-05:00

Theodore Ho, '12 | MA International Affairs, Asian Studies and US Foreign Policy

One of the things that I regret not doing often enough as a first year student at GW was not taking full advantage of all of the numerous resources offered by the GSCD office and the Elliott School Career Connection (ESCC) website. GSCD sends informative emails directly to students about jobs, internships, and opportunities, and they always contain hidden gems like the program that I attended during the Summer of 2011. Many might know about Short Term International offerings that GW hosts, such as Econ 280 with Professor Suranovic in Shanghai, but there are also a number of non-GW led short term opportunities that Elliott School graduate students can take advantage of. In my case, it was through these emails that l found out about the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership's US Future Leaders Program, which turned out to be a life-changing experience.

According to GSCD, I was the first GW student to apply for this even though it was the third year the program was offered. Therefore, I would like to share as much as I can with you about this particular experience so that I won't be the last! I found out about the opportunity through an email sent by GSCD Director Angela Griffin informing us of this opportunity (which was also posted online on the ESCC website). The application was straightforward and required a cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation, and GSCD was available to help me with these materials.

Now completed, this short-length program was one of the most valuable experiences that I have had. I spent ten days traveling around Japan talking to experts in a variety of international relations-related fields ranging from international development to Japanese finance. I also conducted research for an extended group paper on International Security. The individuals that I met while on this exchange were all high level Japanese government officials, and academics that I would otherwise never had had access to as a graduate student, or as a foreigner. Being able to interview them and network with them was thus incredibly valuable as it gave me insights into Japanese career opportunities as well.

While, these experiences are competitive, I believe that they are by no means out of reach to GW graduate students. I think a critical aspect to securing internships like this is being able to relate your own experiences with what the program was offering. When I applied to the program, I was afraid that I was not a competitive candidate because I did not speak any Japanese and had little experience with Japan, despite a strong interest in it given my academic focus on US-China relations. It turned out it wasn't a problem. As my genuine interest for understanding Japan showed through in my cover letter, I believed it played a big part in their decision to admit me to the program!

As the saying goes, "opportunities are like sunsets, if you wait too long you miss them." Don't miss the opportunity to join a short term international opportunity!

Announcing Summer 2012 Sigur Center Grants for Field Research and Language Study in Asia!

2012-01-09T11:15:00.001-05:00

Applications and recommendations for the Sigur Center's Summer 2012 Grants are now available on our website. This summer's grants include the following selections:

Sigur Center Grant for Chinese Language Study in Taiwan

Sigur Center Grant for Korean Language Study in Korea

Sigur Center Grant for Asian Language Study in Asia

Sigur Center Summer Grant for Asian Field Research

To see what last year's summer fellows did while they were abroad, check out some of their blog posts.

Applications are due on Friday, February 17 at 5:00PM. Please be sure to submit your application and ALL supporting documents by that time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Josie Keller at jhkeller@gwu.edu or 202-994-5874.

Chinese Language Opportunity

2012-01-05T15:45:00.000-05:00

GWU is in the process of applying for the establishment of a "Confucius Institute" to increase opportunities for Chinese language learning in the DC area. While most of the 60 Confucius Institutes established in the U.S. partner with elementary or secondary schools to achieve this purpose, the GWU Confucius Institute proposes to focus on providing inexpensive Chinese language instruction that would be particularly targeted at graduate students and area professionals (in government, business, the policy community, etc.). These language courses would be non-credit courses with a nominal fee, and would be offered in the evenings or on weekends.

If you might be interested in taking Chinese language classes under this program, we would appreciate it if you would fill out this survey, which attempts to gauge the level of interest in this initiative. Please pass this survey along to anyone else you know who might be interested.

Research Opportunities Available!

2011-12-21T11:09:00.003-05:00

Students:
Please check the following research internship and job if they might be an interest to you.

1. Mclarty Associates - Spring 2012 Internship

International strategic advisory firm seeks graduate student or undergraduate senior for paid internship position. The ideal candidate is an accomplished researcher, an excellent writer and is exceptionally organized, with an understanding of international politics, economics, business and culture. He or she should have a strong background, demonstrated interest, and experience living or studying in Brazil, India, Russia or Southeast Asia (particularly Indonesia). Interns are also expected to demonstrate fluency in a foreign language appropriate to their regional background.
Responsibilities of the internship include extensive research of public policy and business issues; occasional translation; attending and reporting on speeches, panel discussions and policy forums of interest to the firm and clients; assisting professional staff with general office and administrative support; and a commitment to work from January through May 2012. During the Spring term, interns are expected to commit to working at least 25 hours per week (though they can work up to 40 hours per week if their schedules permit).
In order to complete the application, all candidates are asked to submit a detailed cover letter highlighting workday availability, relevant experience and skills; a copy of their resume; and one or two short writing samples (no more than 3 pp.) demonstrating strong research and concise writing style on issues related to international politics or political economy. Please send these materials to Caroline Stoga (cstoga@maglobal.com) and copy Aaron Melaas (amelaas@maglobal.com).

2. American Enterprise Institute Research Assistant: India and South Asia Studies

The American Enterprise Institute seeks a full-time research assistant to work in the India and South Asia studies area of the foreign policy department.
The primary responsibility of this position is to provide research, writing, and editing support to a scholar studying a wide range of South Asian political, economic and security issues with a focus on India and Pakistan. Other duties include writing for AEI’s blog; managing a small team of interns; developing and organizing conferences, panel discussions, and events; maintaining lists of contacts, overseeing long-term projects; scheduling; handling media requests; and administrative support.

Required Skills

This position requires excellent writing, research, communication, and organization skills. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in foreign and defense policy with a focus on South Asia and US-India and US-Pakistan relations. Academic curiosity and an ability to multitask are also essential. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred, though not required.
We offer a stimulating and harmonious work environment and excellent benefits. Qualified applicants should submit an online application, complete with a resume, cover letter, transcripts, and 500-word writing sample.

Job Location- Washington, DC, US.

Position Type - Full-Time/Regular

Salary -US Dollar (USD)

Please click here to submit an application online.

Kim Jong Il's Death Viewed with Wary Optimism

2011-12-20T15:55:00.002-05:00

Gregg Brazinsky, Associate Professor of History and International Affairs, discusses the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and its implications for regional security and U.S. foreign policy.

Watch the Fox 5 Interview at http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/kim-jong-il-death-viewed-with-wary-optimism-121911

Watch the Elliott School Interview at http://vimeo.com/33986397

Read the Chicago Tribune Op-Ed: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/ct-perspec-1221-korea-20111221,0,648391.story

Volunteer Abroad in Asia

2011-12-16T10:14:00.003-05:00

Interested in gaining international volunteer experience in Asia?

VIA (formerly Volunteers in Asia) is a private, non-profit, non-religious organization dedicated to increasing understanding between the United States and Asia through service and education. Since 1963, Via has provided U.S. Residents with an opportunity to work and live within an Asian culture while meeting the needs of Asian host institutions. It currently offer long-term and summer programs in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam of issues in education, environment, gender, health, anti-trafficking, and rural development.

The deadline is January 15, 2012.

Please click here for applications.

Study in Taiwan

2011-12-09T10:16:00.004-05:00

The Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA) is pleased to announce that Ambassador Scholarships are again being offered to U.S. college students (graduates and undergraduates) during the summer of 2012.

There is no requirement for proficiency in the Mandarin Chinese language... indeed, the program's aim is to provide opportunities to those who have not experienced a study-abroad program either in China or Taiwan, but are eager to pursue overseas immersion in language and cultural study. Accepted students will study at the National Pingtung University of Education in Taiwan. The application period ends March 31, 2012, and applications can be submitted online at www.taiwanusalliance.com.

The TUSA program starts July 2^nd and ends August 31^st, 2012. A stipend of NT $25,000 (US $800) per month for two months (July & August) will be awarded to each scholarship recipient. The scholarship is budgeted to cover tuition, dormitory fees, four excursions in Taiwan, and incidental insurance. The program is sponsored by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan, and a total of 36 Ambassador students will be accepted for the 2012 class.

Please visit www.taiwanusalliance.com for additional information about the 2012 TUSA Summer Ambassador program.

Japan Internship Opportunity at the Council on Foreign Relations--Deadline is Tomorrow--Apply Today!

2011-12-07T10:29:00.001-05:00

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Department: Japan Studies

Semester: Spring 2012

The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. Founded in 1921, the Council carries out its mission by maintaining a diverse membership, with special programs to promote interest and develop expertise in the next generation of foreign policy leaders; convening meetings at its headquarters in New York and in Washington, DC, and other cities where senior government officials, members of Congress, global leaders, and prominent thinkers come together with Council members to discuss and debate major international issues; supporting a Studies Program that fosters independent research, enabling Council scholars to produce articles, reports, and books and hold roundtables that analyze foreign policy issues and make concrete policy recommendations; publishing Foreign Affairs, the preeminent journal on international affairs and U.S. foreign policy; sponsoring Independent Task Forces that produce reports with both findings and policy prescriptions on the most important foreign policy topics; and providing up-to-date information and analysis about world events and American foreign policy on its website, CFR.org.

CFR's volunteer internships give selected interns the opportunity to receive training in the area of foreign policy; as well as skills training in areas such as writing, research, and program planning.

The responsibilities of the intern will include (but are not limited to):

Assisting with research assignments—focus will be primarily on Japan
Providing logistical and administrative support as needed

Qualifications:

Undergraduate or graduate student with demonstrated background and interest in Japan
Word processing and Internet research skills
Strong research abilities
Excellent attention to detail & follow-through
Fluent Japanese language skills so that candidate can conduct research in Japanese

CFR internships are unpaid. A modest stipend is offered upon completion of the internship.

Please mail, Email or fax a resume and cover letter INCLUDING POSITION NAME, DAYS AND TIMES AVAILABLE TO WORK to the Human Resource Office at the above address. The Council on Foreign Relations is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Quality, diversity and balance are the key objectives sought by the Council on Foreign Relations in the composition of its workforce.

Council on Foreign Relations
Human Resources Office
58 E. 68th St., NY, NY 10065
FAX +1 212.434.9893
humanresources@cfr.org
www.cfr.org

Volunteer Opportunity!!! Dec. 8th - 9:30am

2011-12-05T16:28:00.001-05:00

Attention Students:

The Sigur Center for Asian Studies is looking for 2-3 volunteers to help with set up and registration at our upcoming conference on Taiwan in a Shifting International Landscape from 9:30 - 12:30 on Thursday, December 8.

Volunteers will be provided with lunch and a free Sigur Center t-shirt.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Chris Wong at cpwong@gwu.edu

Thank you,

Sigur Center for Asian Studies
Elliott School of International Affairs
The George Washington University
1957 E St. NW Suite 503
Washington DC 20052
P: 202.994.5886; F: 202.994.6096
E: gsigur@gwu.edu

Summer Field Program: China: An Anthropological Journey

2011-12-05T16:06:00.002-05:00

Summer Field Program: Heritage, Tourism, and Development on China’s Ethnic Frontiers

June 10^th – July 1^st, 2012

This program takes GW students into the field to experience firsthand the development challenges faced by state authorities, community leaders, and regular citizens in the interior regions of the People’s Republic of China. As part of a national campaign to ‘Go West’, Chinese authorities have promoted tourism and heritage projects as development tools in marginalized minority areas. The purpose of this program is to learn about these projects and their impact on citizens by traveling overland through the Tibetan cultural frontier area of historic Amdo and Kham.

After arriving in China we will spend five days in Beijing, where we will visit cultural sites in and around the city such as the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the Dongtian Daoist Temple complex. During this time we will also visit the National Minorities University for a discussion of state ethnic policies, and Beijing International Studies University, for a discussion on tourism policies and objectives. After traveling by train to Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province in Northwest China, we will travel overland through the Amdo and Kham regions of historic Tibet. Our first stop will be the Tibetan pilgrimage town of Xiahe, site of Labrang Monastery, a key intellectual center for the Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We will then continue by road to the monastery town of Taksen Lhamo (Chinese Langmusi), located along the Gansu-Sichuan border on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, and then to Jiuzhaigou National Park, in Northern Sichuan province. From Jiuzhaigou we will fly to Xian, the former capital of the Tang Dynasty and site of the Terra-Cotta warrior museum. Our trip will conclude with a return journey to Beijing by train.

Over the course of this three-week field study students will interact with Chinese tourism and heritage scholars, local Tibetan and Han Chinese business owners, Tibetan pilgrims and nomads, and Chinese students. In keeping with the focus of the program, our overland trip will be arranged and hosted by Nomad Travel, a Tibetan-run agency located in Xiahe, Gansu province.

The total fee for this program is $5,432.This includes GWU tuition ($3,679) for three credits), train (soft sleeper class) and air travel within China, all accommodations, site visits, admission fees, travel insurance and most meals. Parts of this journey will be at elevations of 3,000 to 3,500 meters (10,000-12,000 feet), so good health is a must.

The program will be led by Robert Shepherd, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and international Affairs.

For more information, feel free to email him at rshepher@gwu.edu or stop by his office in the Sigur Center for Asian Studies, Suite 503, 1957 E Street.

International Education Opportunities for Elliott School Master's Students

2011-12-05T13:37:00.003-05:00

SNEAK PEAKS at Opportunities to Study Abroad for GW Master’s Students

1) Elliott School Summer Courses
2) School of Business Short-Term Abroad Courses
3) Spring 2012 Human and Organizational Learning Courses
4) Other GW Summer Abroad Offerings
5) The IPSI Institute-Bologna 2012 Program

Elliott School Graduate Summer Courses:

(Details not yet available, dates are estimated)

· IAFF6198, Controversies in Intellectual Property and Investment: Washington, Geneva

· IAFF 6138, Survey Methods in Developing World: Supporting Sustainable Tourism Peru

· IAFF 6186, Non-State Actors: Israel

· ECON 6280, Survey of International Economics, Shanghai

· GEOG 6293, Urban Sustainability and Development: A Field Course in Panama

· ANTH 3705, Heritage, Tourism, and Development on China’s Ethnic Frontiers

GWSB Short-Term Abroad Courses 2011-2012:

TSTD 6214 & TSTD 6282: Culture and Nature-based Tourism Development in Peru. http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=TourismDevPeru
MBAD 6286.60 & SMPP 6297.61 EU Strategic Management (France). [4.5 credits] http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=managementEU
SMPP 6297 Corporate Social Impact: US & UK Policies & Practices [4.5 credits] http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=corporatesocialimpact
IBUS: Healthcare & Marketing Strategy [4.5 credits]. http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=healthcaresweden
IBUS 6202 & IBUS 6297: Business and the State: Privatization & Public-Private Partnerships in the United Kingdom [6 credits] http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=EnglandPubPriv

Other GW Summer Abroad Programs:

WLP 4198, Women's Leadership in the Brazilian Amazon Forest. Prof Patricia Kanashiro. Brazil June 9 to 20
TSTD 282, Behind the Scenes at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London. Prof Lisa Delpy Neirotti.On campus for 3/21 to 5/2, London 7/27 to 8/5
PubH 6590.60, Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of India. Prof Amita Vyas. On campus July 5 to 26, India July 30 to August 8.

GW HOL Courses Spring Break 2012:

HOL 6747 - International and Multicultural Issues in Organizations - The impact of culture and globalization on U.S. and international HOL programs. March 13 - 17, 2012 Beijing, China (3 credits)
HOL 6704 - Leadership in Organizations - The goal is to expose participants to the various ways in which leadership has been conceptualized and to discuss how it will be shaped in the future. March 13 - 17, 2012 Buenos Aires, Argentina (3 credits) Contact elpnow@gwu.edu for more information on applying.

IPSI Institute – Bologna, Italy 2012 on Conflict Prevention, Resolution, Reconciliation:

In cooperation with Johns Hopkins University (SAIS), the 2012 Bologna Symposium will bring together the globe’s top graduate institutions, NGOs, international organizations, grassroots peace movements, and the armed services. Over a four-week period (June 16 to July 14) participants will undergo intensive training to foster peace and security in the world. Participants may apply to earn graduate-level course credit from SAIS.

http://ipsinstitute.org/bologna2012/

GW International Travel Approval Policy (ITAP):

· GW students who travel abroad for academic purposes must comply with the GW International Travel Approval Policy (ITAP) “Academic purposes” includes study abroad, internships, capstones, research projects, etc.

· To request GW approval and register your travel plans with the University, please navigate to http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=TravelApprovalPolicy

Information distributed by:
International Programs & Education
Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
1957 E Street NW, Suite 401 Washington, DC 20052
Tel +1-202-994-0953 Fax +1-202-994-0335

East Asia Forum: "Thailand: Politics of a Flood"

2011-12-05T12:52:00.002-05:00

Read the most recent East Asia Forum article written by Chayut Setboonsarng, a graduate of George Washington University's Master of Arts in International Affairs. The article highlights the political divisions that led Thailand's government to ineffectively respond to the devastating flood.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/12/02/thailand-politics-of-a-flood/

New Employment Opportunity!

2011-12-05T09:43:00.003-05:00

Northeast Asia Program

Open Society Institute–New York

Application Deadline: December 30, 2011

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros established the Open Society Foundations, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. Our activities have grown to encompass the United States and more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Each Foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.

Program Officer Position

The Northeast Asia Program seeks a full-time Program Officer, based in Hong Kong (with a possibility of being based in the OSI-New York office). The program officer will report to the Northeast Asia Director, and will work in collaboration with other Open Society Foundations staff. The core of the Program Officer’s work will focus on legal reform.

Responsibilities

Work with the Program Director of the Northeast Asia Program to develop grantmaking strategies, priorities, and guidelines;
Review and assess letters of inquiry and make funding recommendations and declinations to the Director;
Work with applicants to develop and finalize grant proposals;
Review grant proposals and participate in the preparation of written grant recommendations as part of grant docket preparation process;
Perform site visits of prospective and current grantee organizations;
Monitor grants through site visits and review of narrative and financial reports;
Ensure that grantees submit narrative and financial reports as required under the terms of grant agreement;
Participate in the development, planning, and organization of program-related events;
Stay abreast of developments in the field through research, dialogue with key partners, and convenings;
Write strategy/position papers that provide direction on policy issues impacting the field and/or offers suggestions about strategic program development for funders and grantees;
Interact with grantees and other field professionals and participate in program and field-related meetings;
Build and establish strategic relationships within OSF and with other philanthropic partners.

Qualifications

Minimum of five years relevant work experience;
Advanced degree in relevant field preferred;
Direct experience in working with community groups on the development and implementation of advocacy strategies and campaigns with demonstrable impact ;
Ability to listen and communicate effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds;
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team;
Excellent oral and written English skills;
Excellent oral and written Mandarin Chinese skills;
Self-starter with ability to set and meet goals;
Creative thinker with strong analytical skills; and
Willingness and ability to travel extensively.

Start Date

January 2012

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

To Apply

Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements before December 30, 2011, to: humanresources@sorosny.org. Include job code in subject line: NEAP/PO

Open Society Foundations
Human Resources – Code NEAP/PO
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019

FAX: 646.557.2672

No phone calls, please. The Open Society Foundations are an Equal Opportunity Employer

International Volunteer Coordinator Position Available!

2011-11-29T10:04:00.001-05:00

DEPDC/GMS is now hiring an International Volunteer Coordinator! This position is based at our headquarters in Mae Sai, Thailand. DEPDC/GMS is a non-profit, community-based NGO working in human trafficking prevention in northern Thailand on the border of Myanmar (Burma). DEPDC/GMS works to prevent human trafficking through education, protection, outreach and youth leadership. The International Volunteer Coordinator position requires a minimum one-year contract. This position is paid monthly. The International Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the following duties:

Volunteer recruitment: Short-term, unpaid volunteers, interns and fellows volunteer with DEPDC/GMS on a routine basis. The International Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for receiving, screening, and processing all volunteer applications to ensure the applicants are appropriate candidates to work in human trafficking prevention. This process involves reviewing CVs/resumes, contacting references, interviewing candidates online, making individual assessments and presenting your conclusions to the International Department for a final decision.
Volunteer induction: Once an applicant has been accepted, the International Volunteer Coordinator assists them with all arrangements including guidance on flights, visas, language courses, initial arrival to Mae Sai and accommodation upon arrival. The International Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for helping each volunteer settle into Mae Sai and DEPDC/GMS and assists the volunteer in finding accommodation, arranging transportation, giving a tour of headquarters and providing information and training about DEPDC/GMS by introducing them to the work we do, the target groups we serve, and the duties the volunteer with be responsible for. The International Volunteer Coordinator continues to be a general advisor the to the volunteer for the entirety of their placement offering assistance when needed.
Volunteer supervision: Once the volunteer, intern or fellow has settled into DEPDC/GMS, the International Volunteer Coordinator will supervise the work of the volunteer ensuring each individual has what they need to work effectively. The International Volunteer Coordinator will offer advice and guidance where appropriate in aim of making the volunteer’s placement efficient, effective, rewarding and fun!
Additional responsibilities: The International Department is a team-work environment. The International Volunteer Coordinator will be expected to take on additional responsibilities as necessary including writing blog posts, deejaying a community-based radio programme, attending donor meetings, coordinating visitors, and writing articles for the NGO’s quarterly newsletter. Additional responsibilities are dependent on time availability and skill set.

Qualifications of the International Volunteer Coordinator:

Must possess effective communication skills, follow-through, and an ability to work independently without direct supervision.
Must have previous work experience in management or volunteer coordination, ideally with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
Must possess strong organizational skills, an ability to problem solve, and an ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds.
Must possess effective computer skills, an ability to work flexible hours and an ability to conduct one’s self in a calm and professional manner when dealing with difficult situations and a Thai work culture.
Must demonstrate an ability to manage a wide array of tasks, projects and responsibilities.
Ideally has previous travel experience in Southeast Asia or elsewhere.
Ideally has basic Thai language skills.

If you are interested in the International Volunteer Coordinator position and would like to apply, please send a CV or resume along with a cover letter to Jamie Houston at jamie_depdc(at)hotmail.com. DEPDC/GMS is looking to fill this position as soon as possible!

One-Credit Intermediate Language Courses Offered

2011-11-29T10:01:00.002-05:00

This spring a number of one-credit language courses will be offered. Courses will be offered at the Intermediate level in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish, and we will also have an Advanced level course for Arabic. Times and dates for these courses are available on the Schedule of Classes.

To enroll in these courses, students will be required to take the online diagnostic exam, or use their scores on this fall’s language proficiency exam. Required scores for each course are as follows:

Arabic (Advanced): Advanced-Low to Advanced-Mid (primarily for MA students in Middle East Studies)
Arabic (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High
Chinese (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High
French (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High
Russian (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Advanced-Low
Spanish (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High

If your speaking or reading level is below "Intermediate-Mid," you should take a regular language course at the intermediate level or below rather than the one-credit language course. The one-credit language course is designed for students who are near the required proficiency level for most MA programs. Please take the online diagnostic examination to estimate your proficiency level if you have not already taken a language proficiency examination.

Here are links to the diagnostic exams:

Arabic Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/arabicdiagnostic

Chinese Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/chinesediagnostic

French Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/frenchdiagnostic

Russian Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/russiandiagnositc

Spanish Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/spanishdiagnostic

If you meet the required proficiency level, and are interested in taking one of these courses, please contact Ryan Pond at rjpond@gwu.edu to enroll.

Position at Gelman Library Available

2011-11-29T09:53:00.001-05:00

Gelman Library

GLOBAL RESOURCES CENTER

Job Description

We are seeking a customer service- and detail-oriented individual to: 1) assist the Global Resources Center patrons in the use of our collections and services; and 2) help maintain collections in the Global Resources Center and process new materials. All employees are trained to use the library’s online system and other research-oriented databases.

Position Requirements

Ability to work 15-20 hours per week
Availability to work some evenings and weekends
Facility with the Japanese language
Academic background in international affairs or a related field

Wage: for graduate students starts at $12

For more information, or to submit a resume,

please contact:

The Global Resources Center

Gelman Library, Room 708

2130 H St., NW

(202) 994-7105; EMAIL: grc@gwu.edu

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Internships Available!

2011-11-22T10:22:00.001-05:00

Please check the following internships that might interest you

1. One full-time intern for a project on China’s economic competitiveness (to start January 3) The CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies is currently seeking a graduate-student full-time intern for the Spring semester. Applicants should be interested in China’s economic development and business climate. It is preferable that applicants have knowledge of China's innovation and competitiveness policies and a strong understanding of Chinese economic policies. They would be expected to assist with the Freeman Chair’s ongoing efforts to examine China’s economic competitiveness, both at the firm level and the macro level, using both English and Chinese language sources. Also, they may have the opportunity to conduct research and write essays for publication with input and support from the Freeman Chair. They are also expected to provide administrative support to program meetings, conferences and other tasks. Intern stipend available commensurate with experience. Strong applicants may be accepted on a part-time basis. Please email your cover letter, resume, and references to freemanchair@csis.org by November 28, 2011 with the subject heading “China Competitiveness Freeman Chair Intern”.

2. One full-time intern for projects on China’s foreign and security policy and US-China relations (to start January 3) The CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies is also currently seeking one graduate-student full-time intern for the spring semester. Applicants should have strong writing, research, and analytical skills. They must demonstrate the ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects under tight deadlines, work independently, and demonstrate a strong academic/professional background in Chinese foreign policy and national security issues. The intern would be expected to assist in research, writing and analysis for articles, conference reports, event summaries, grant proposals, and other such projects as dictated by program needs, as well as assist in spot and background research. The intern is also expected to provide administrative support to program meetings, conferences and other tasks. Please email your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to bbillingsley@csis.org by November 28, 2011 with the subject heading “CSIS Freeman Chair Internship Application.”

3. One full-time intern for projects on climate change, health and environmental issues in Asia-Pacific (to start January 4) The CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies seeks a full time intern for the Spring 2012 to assist in projects on climate change, health and environmental issues in Asia-Pacific. Applicants should have interest in U.S. foreign policy and climate security issues as well as China’s domestic transformation. Principal tasks will include primary and secondary source research, literature reviews, and concise, brief writing on a wide variety of topics in the Asia Pacific, and other research tasks as the project concludes. Intern will also be responsible for preparing monthly newsletter and assisting CSIS Fellow in projects connected to development of health services China. Candidates with demonstrated research experience in Asian-Pacific international relations and regional security issues will be most competitive. The ideal applicant will possess excellent English writing, editing and research skills, outstanding communication skills, and ability to manage correspondence over email. Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook essential. Chinese language experience requisite. Strong applicants may be accepted on a part-time basis. Please include cover letter, resume, and references. Applicants should email freemanchair@csis.org by November 28, 2011, with the subject heading “Climate & Health Freeman Chair Intern.”

Chinese Art Fellowship Available!

2011-11-22T09:43:00.003-05:00

For additional information about the J.S. Lee Memorial Fellowship Programme, please click on the link:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/104468201/Fellow

New Internship Available!

2011-11-18T09:58:00.003-05:00

ANNOUNCEMENT: Seeking Interns for 2012 Spring Semester for ASG in Washington DC by November 30^th

Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) is a global strategy firm that assists clients in navigating the intersection between business, finance, government and civil society in markets around the world.

ASG has worked in 65 countries on six continents. Our clients are primarily Fortune 500 companies and represent a wide range of sectors and regions in which they operate. Interns will have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of activities that should broaden their private sector work experience and assist in their future academic and professional pursuits.

INTERN SKILLS:

ASG is currently seeking interns to assist with a number of regions and issues areas for the 2011Spring Semester. Strong writing, editing and analytical skills, as well as ability to think critically about research scope and content are required. ASG is seeking interns with experience in a variety of country, language and issue areas, including (but not limited to):

Brazil (with very strong spoken/reading Portuguese language ability)

China (with very strong reading Mandarin language ability)

India

Turkey (with strong Turkish language ability)

Middle East (particular focus on the Gulf region; with strong Arabic language ability)

Emerging Markets

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Interns are asked to contribute in a number of ways. This includes, but is not limited to:

· in-depth research and analysis on key topics and industries related to the work of our clients and prospective clients in a variety of regions around the world, including emerging markets

· drafting and preparation of both internal and external briefing memos and materials for senior staff and clients;

· mining of daily news sources for issues of relevance in both the U.S. and foreign press;

· supporting marketing and business development efforts;

· research on companies with interests in key markets;

· assisting in drafting of letters and memos to clients and perspective clients on region- and issue-related topics;

· assisting with administrative tasks as they arise, including, but not limited to, editing of

documents, answering phones; and,

· performing other duties as assigned.

TIMELINE OF INTERNSHIP:

ASG is seeking interns to start as soon as possible at the beginning of January, and concluding at the end of the spring semester.

CONTACT:

Please send cover letter and resume to Ms. Jessica Bondi, Albright Stonebridge Group at

jbondi@albrightstonebridge.com.

Nov. 10th: Internships 101 & Nov 15th: GW Networking Night

2011-11-07T17:52:00.004-05:00

Internships 101
Jessica Vogel, Manager of Operations, International Stability Operations Association

Attention first year graduate students! Having trouble finding an internship? Don't get discouraged - come to GSF's "Internships 101" on November 10 to meet four second year students, who have held various internships in different fields and successfully used networking to find them, and a professional recruiter from International Stability Operations Association (ISOA)! The panelists will briefly discuss their experiences and will then take questions, and provide recommendations on what works and what doesn't. There will be food and drinks available for attendees and if you're not a GSF member yet, don't worry! We'll be collecting dues starting at 3:15pm before the event!

Thursday, November 10
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Lindner Family Commons, Room 602
1957 E Street, NW

RSVP at: https://gwuelliott-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php
Sponsored by the Graduate Student Forum and the Elliott School Career Connection

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GW All Alumni Networking Night

Tap into the power of the GW network! Join us for a university-wide Alumni Networking Night. Seize the opportunity to experience a high level of networking among GW professionals working in a variety of exciting industries!

The purpose of this event is to connect GW professionals, assist them in building a broader professional network and to learn more about resources GW provides to all alumni. The GW Career Centers will also be present to answer questions and offer guidance on how you can make the most of your GW community.

Looking for quick networking tips? Join us for a pre-event workshop to discuss effective networking techniques prior to the in-person networking event. This 45-minute interactive workshop will give attendees effective networking tips to develop and maintain their professional networks.

This event is open to all GW alumni and graduate students.

This is not a career fair. If you are specifically seeking employment opportunities, we encourage you to use Gwork andLinkedIn

Tuesday, November 15, 2011
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Marvin Center, Grand Ballroom and Amphitheater
801 21st St NW

RSVP at: http://bit.ly/uQ7FEx
Sponsored by GW Alumni Association

Summer Junior Resident Fellowship Program in Cambodia for U.S. Citizens (2012)

2011-11-07T12:06:00.003-05:00

Deadline: April 11, 2012

The Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) is offering 5 American undergraduates an exciting opportunity to join Cambodian and French students on a 6 week Summer Junior Resident Fellowship Program in Cambodia. The program provides a unique experience allowing students to live and study alongside others from different backgrounds and cultures while learning about the history and society of today's Cambodia. During their residency students will be based at the CKS campus in Siem Reap, which is situated in the beautiful grounds of Wat Damnak, one of the town's largest Buddhist pagodas, only minutes away from the famous Angkor World Heritage Site with its enigmatic temples. It has a full range of study and research facilities, including the largest publicly accessible research library outside of Phnom Penh with over 12,000 books, journals and other reading materials in English French and Khmer, study carrels for up to twenty fellows, a spacious seminar room and conference hall. Resident!
fellows will also spend time studying in Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh.

What to expect?

CKS has been running a Summer Junior Resident Fellowship Programs in Cambodia since 2004. The program is intended for those individuals who have a genuine interest in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, and who may be considering graduate studies or careers in the region. With this in mind the focus is on striking a balance between academic rigor and extra curricula activities and field visits designed to give students a better understanding of contemporary Cambodian society. Cambodian history and culture cannot be fully understood without considering the influence of powerful regional neighbors such and Thailand, Vietnam and China, and international powers, like France, the United States, and more recently the United Nations. The program, therefore, will also focus on Cambodia's past and present relationships with its neighbors and its place within the region.

How is the Program structured?

The program is led by a qualified instructor who has extensive teaching and research experience in Cambodian and Southeast Asian Studies. It is structured around interactive classroom sessions from Monday-Friday (2 hours in length) held in the CKS conference and seminar facilities in Siem Reap, and classroom in Phnom Penh. Select field trips will include visits to historical and cultural sites in and around Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and interactions with national and international NGOs. Classroom sessions will begin by briefly covering Cambodia's ancient past before examining major social, political, economic and cultural change since the country gained independence form France in the early 1950s. Particular attention will be paid to how Cambodia has come to terms with the horrors of its more recent past after the Khmer Rouge, and the ways it is re-engaging with regional and international communities. Outside of the classroom, in Siem and Phnom Penh fellows will the have opportunity to go on field trips and interact with organizations working in the areas of development, education, democracy promotion, human rights and Journalism. Total contact time is 45 hours, this does not include time spent on field trips.

Language

The language of instruction is English. All fellows are expected to have sufficient English language skills to be able to participate in classroom discussions. The American and French fellows will also receive instruction in the Khmer Language, and the Cambodian fellows will be required, if necessary, to attend English language reading writing and speaking skills seminars.

Program Requirements

Fellows are required to attend all classes, including language, all field trips and participate in classroom discussions. They will also conduct a short research project of (10-15 pages) on a related topic of their choice, which they will present at the end of the program (15 mins, max).

Application and Eligibility and Requirements:

Candidates must be registered as undergraduate students in a United States university at the time of application and must hold United States citizenship. Graduating seniors are eligible.

Applicants should provide the following, preferably electronically:

1. Application form (download)

2. Two page statement of research topic and research plan.

3. Scanned university transcripts with cumulative GPA (scale 1- 4) (Because of limited internet service please ensure your transcripts are sent using the smallest files available).

4. Two (2) recommendations from professors (these can be submitted electronically directly from professor from university/professional email address)

Costs

CKS covers the costs of tuition, accommodation (bed and breakfast), local transportation whilst taking part in program activities, books and study materials, and some field trip expenses such as entrance fees to historical and cultural sites. CKS has also made available small program grants, worth up to $800, to help with international air fares, visas, and medical insurance. All other living and personal expenses will be incurred by the individual fellows.

For further information or to submit an application, please email The Center for Khmer Studies Summer Fellowship Program, Tith Srey Pich, at fellowships@khmerstudies.org or write to PO Box 9380 - Wat Damnak Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Website: www.khmerstudies.org

Chinese Language Study in Taiwan Scholarship

2011-11-07T09:39:00.004-05:00

The Ministry of Education (MOE) provides the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) for foreign students/applicants including beginners to learn Mandarin/Chinese in Taiwan every year. Their Cultural Division still has some vacancies available for applicants to apply to study in Taiwan. If you are an interested in pursuing Chinese language study in Taiwan, please email asia@gwu.edu for additional documents.

Award: A fixed monthly stipend of NT$25,000 (approx. US$833). No other benefits. Recipients can use it in any fields.
Duration: 3-, 6- or 9-month before August 31, 2012.
Requirements: An American citizen and official residence is in southeast America (others please refer to the attached files).

Application deadline:
1. November 15, 2011 if applicants only provide documents listed on Page 4 of the application form.
2. December 15, 2011 if applicants provide documents listed on Page 4 and a letter of acceptance from a language center in Taiwan including a signed HES Agreement.

UNCFSPC Recuiting Sophomores for International Affairs Fellowship

2011-11-04T14:31:00.003-04:00

The United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSPC) is actively recruiting minority students from across the country to apply for the Institute for International Public Policy. They have informational webinars scheduled for November for interested students and advisors.

Informational Webinar Schedule

· Thursday, November 10 at 2:00 PM EST

· Friday, November 18 at 4:00 PM EST

· More to come!

Please register at www.uncfsp.org/fellowshipinfo2012

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Institute for International Public Policy Student Fellowship Program

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2012!

The UNCF Special Programs Corporation’s Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) Fellowship Program is now entering its 17th year. The Institute seeks to enhance U.S. national security and global competitiveness by promoting excellence, international service, and awareness among a representative cross-section of the American citizenry. IIPP also seeks to broaden access to international education and training opportunities for underrepresented minority college students.

Fellowship Components:

· Sophomore Summer Policy Institute

· Junior Year Study Abroad

· Junior Summer Policy Institute

· Summer Language Institute

· International Internship

· Internationally Focused Advanced Degree Program

· Wraparound Student Services (academic, study abroad, and career advising)

Eligibility Requirements - We welcome applications from undergraduate sophomores who:

· Are enrolled full-time at an accredited, four–year baccalaureate-granting institution.

· Are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents (documentary support required).

· Will remain enrolled at their undergraduate institution for two years following their acceptance to the Fellowship.

· Have a minimum 3.2 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).

· Have a strong demonstrated interest in international affairs.

· Are an underrepresented minority (African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander).

· Plan to seek admission to an internationally focused advanced degree program.

Students from Minority Serving Institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Other Minority Serving Institutions (OMIs) are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2012

Website: www.uncfsp.org/iipp

Contact: iipp@uncfsp.org

Internships for Grad Students Available

2011-11-02T13:38:00.002-04:00

Grad Students:

The ESIA Graduate Student Career Development center is offering funding for low-pay or unpaid internships. Please see the following link:

http://www.gwu.edu/~fellows/fellowships/career_development.html

2011-11-02T13:38:00.000-04:00

Grad Students:

The ESIA Graduate Student Career Development center is offering funding for low-pay or unpaid internships. Please the following link and the message from Angella Griffin below for more information:

http://www.gwu.edu/~fellows/fellowships/career_development.html

Fall 2011 Foreign Language Reading Exam Registration

2011-10-31T13:39:00.003-04:00

The Fall 2011 Elliott School Foreign Language exams will be on November 9th, 10th, and 11th.
Registration will remain open until all slots have been filled.

REGISTRATION PROCESS - 2 step process:
(You will have to create an account to use the Language Center’s appointment system)
1. General Registration for both the oral and reading examinations. To complete this step, please click
2. Reading Examination Scheduling to reserve your specific time slot. To register for an individual reading examination, please click here

The final schedule for oral examinations will be released by October 31st, but we predict these exams will take place after the reading exams. A separate email will be sent when oral examination registration is open.

PENALTY FOR MISSING EXAM:
The Elliott School will charge a $50 fee for any missed reading or oral foreign language examination. If you fail to notify the Language Center at least 24 hours in advance of the reading examination or 48 hours in advance of the oral examination, a $50 fee will be charged to your student account.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
The GW Language Center and foreign language faculty have prepared the attached information sheet
with further details about some of the examinations.

Foreign language tutors are available to help at the GW Language Center. The service is free of charge and is offered at the Language Center Media Resource Lab (Phillips 210B) on a walk-in basis. To view the tutoring schedule online, please click here

For speaking practice, the following tutors are native speakers:
Chinese: Li & Fan
French: Pierre-Antoine
German: Pia
Italian: Jan
Japanese: Saori & Mai
Spanish: Ninoshaka, Paula, Jose, & Sebastian
Korean: Bokum & Arum

If you do have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ryan Pond at rjpond@gwu.edu.

Want to join in on the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC? Read and apply by Nov. 14th

2011-10-31T10:29:00.001-04:00

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is seeking individuals who have a true passion for Japan, international relationships, and the Festival for the 2012 Goodwill Ambassador Program.

The annual events and programs of the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrate Tokyo, Japan’s gift of cherry trees to Washington, DC in 1912, and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. The 2012 Festival commemorates the 100th anniversary of the gift of trees and the duration of this year’s festival will expand from two weeks to five starting on March 20 and culminating on April 27, 2012.

Goodwill Ambassadors in past years have had the opportunity to attend Festival events, and meet the Ambassador of Japan and leaders in the DC community. Many view the experience as having been an essential step in their professional careers by utilizing contacts they made during the program to explore potential educational and career paths. Goodwill Ambassadors engage with the local community at tree plantings in neighborhoods and public schools, and coordinating hands-on activities for children. Every year, Goodwill Ambassadors are an indispensable resource for Festival attendees and the Festival as a whole, as they share their knowledge of the Festival, coordinate activities, and deepen their connection to Japan.

The experience of a Goodwill Ambassador is a rewarding and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Festival's official Goodwill Ambassadors are actively engaged throughout the Festival season by:

Planning and leading hands-on activities for children at signature events: Family days at the National building museum, Blossom Kite Festival, and the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival.

Representing the Festival at events such as, but not limited to: The National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference, The Pink Tie Party, The Opening Ceremony Spectacular, The Lantern Lighting Ceremony, The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and the Ft. McNair Military Tree Planting & Ball.

Acting as cultural and educational liaisons at DC-area schools, neighborhood tree planting, and events attended by the Japanese and Japanese-American community of Washington, D.C.

Deadline to apply: Monday, November 14th, 2011

This opportunity is open to college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent college graduate students. Japanese language ability is preferred.

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/in-the-community/goodwill-ambassadors/

U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission is STILL offering intern/research fellowships. DEADLINE: Nov 4th.

2011-10-31T09:58:00.004-04:00

U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Internship and Fellowship

Do you have an interest in U.S.-China affairs? It's still not too late to apply.

Internship
The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC) is currently looking for motivated candidates for our 2012 Research Internship Program.

The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC) is currently looking for motivated Research Interns to assist Senior Analysts with research on emerging U.S. and China issues. Recent topics of interest to the Commission have included cyber security, China’s 12th five-year plan, outward foreign direct investment, military modernization, and East Asian security and cooperation.

The USCC was established by Congress to look into the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. In support of this mandate, Interns will be expected to assist with internal research, prepare and analyze materials for public hearings, editing sessions and other meetings, and attend seminars, meetings and events on behalf of the USCC.

All applicants for Research Internships must be U.S. citizens (or have applied for U.S. citizenship and naturalization), and must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent. Research Interns must be at least college juniors or seniors in good standing, or be recent graduates.

Coursework with a focus on Chinese and/or broader Asian business, economics, culture, history, & language; international relations, foreign affairs and security studies; or specialization in other related areas is desirable. Chinese reading skills are highly desirable.

To apply or get more information about the Commission and our Internship opportunities, check us out at: www.uscc.gov

Application Deadlines:
Spring 2012 (January – May): November 4, 2011
Summer 2012 (June – August): April 8, 2012
Fall 2012 (September – December): July 8, 2012

Fellowship
The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC) is currently looking for motivated candidates for our 2012 Research Fellowship program.

The USCC was established by Congress to look into the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Recent topics of interest to the Commission have included China’s 12th five-year plan, outward foreign direct investment, military modernization, and East Asian security and cooperation.

The USCC Fellowship Program is a full-time 24 week opportunity with two sessions offered each year. The first session begins in mid-January and the second begins in July. Individual Fellowships may be extended up to 48 weeks; two concurrent sessions.

The program is intended to fully engage participants in the key elements of the Commission’s Annual Report cycle. The report cycle includes the preparation and facilitation of public hearings; the drafting and editing process; and releasing the report and its findings. Generally, Fellows are expected to work with little supervision on substantive long term assignments and projects. A Fellow’s day-to-day work includes researching, monitoring and analyzing issues of importance to U.S.- China relations, Taiwan, and the western Pacific Region as well as attending seminars, meetings and events on behalf of the USCC. Fellows may also be assigned independent, original research projects by the Commission’s Research Working Group (RWG).

The USCC is dedicated to maintaining a diverse workforce with a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. Fellowships are intellectually challenging and require individual initiative and an ability to monitor and report on current events and issues. Strong research and communications skills – writing and oral – are essential.

All applicants for Research Fellowships must be U.S. citizens (or be permanent residents with legal authorization to live and work in the United States), and must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent. Research Fellows must be current graduate-level students, or have completed an accredited Master’s or J.D. program.

Coursework with a strong focus on Chinese and/or broader Asian business, economics, culture, history, & language; international relations, foreign affairs and security studies; or specialization in other related areas is desirable. The ability to read Chinese at an advanced level is highly desirable.

To apply or get more information about the Commission and our Internship opportunities, check us out at: www.uscc.gov

Application Deadlines:
Session I (January – June 2012): November 4, 2011
Session II (July – December 2012): April 8, 2011

Spring 2012 Asian Studies Courses

2011-10-27T10:51:00.002-04:00

The Sigur Center has posted a listing of all Spring 2012 Asian Studies courses. You can view the listing on our website under new information for either Graduate Programs or Undergraduate Programs.

The spreadsheet includes three different pages for language, undergrad, and grad courses.

Graduate students, please note that only MA Asian Studies students can take the capstone. MAIA Asia concentration students must take one of the MAIA capstones.

For more information on Spring 2012 registration, please visit The Office of the Registrar.

Calls for Papers from the University of Hawaii and Columbia University

2011-10-25T16:22:00.004-04:00

In preparation for graduate student conferences this spring, the University of Hawaii and Columbia University are both calling for papers. Two great opportunities for GW graduate students! Details for both are provided below.

CALL FOR PAPERS: 2012 SPAS GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s School of Pacific and Asian Studies is seeking papers and presentations for its 23rd annual Graduate Student Conference.

Conference Date: April 11–13, 2012
Where: Center for Korean Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Theme: “ASIA/PACIFIC JUNCTURES: CHALLENGING NOTIONS OF REGIONALISM AND INTERDISCIPLINARITY”
Submission Deadline: 12/20/2011

In particular, we are looking for papers /presentations that:
• Incorporate interdisciplinary approaches• “traditional” vs. “contemporary”
• Present Asian and/or Pacific performance practices
• Engage with new and emerging trends in Pacific and/or Asian Studies
• Provide insights on the importance of area studies
• Challenge approaches based on a national or regional focus
• Involve any other original research on Asia and/or the Pacific

We are most interested in accepting papers and performances that deal with Asia and the Pacific in a manner that challenges notions of regionalism and interdisciplinarity. We also highly encourage those with a background in the arts to apply with performance proposals.

Please complete the attached form and submit it by December 20th 2011, following the guidelines and instructions on the form. When submitting, please rename the file from “2012 SPAS Abstract Submission Form.doc” to “Applicant’sLastName_Applicant’sFirstName.doc” and email it to gradconf@hawaii.edu by the submission deadline.

Limited partial travel grants to the conference site may be available.
If you have any questions, please contact the conference planning committee at gradconf@hawaii.edu. For more information, please refer to our Facebook page: “2012 SPAS Graduate Conference.”

CALL FOR PAPERS: GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE ON EAST ASIA

WHAT: Twenty-first Annual Graduate Student Conference on East Asia
WHERE: Columbia University in the City of New York
WHEN: Friday February 10 to Saturday February 11, 2012

Graduate students are invited to submit papers for the Twenty-First Annual Graduate Student Conference on East Asia. This two-day conference provides a forum for students from institutions around the world to share ideas with their peers. The 2012 conference marks the beginning of a new decade in the conference’s history. As such, this year’s participants will have the opportunity, in the spirit of reinvigoration, to use this year’s conference as a forum for the promotion and circulation of new ideas within East Asian Studies. In addition, participants will gain valuable experience in presenting their work for discussion with other graduate students as well as Columbia faculty.

We welcome applications from graduate students engaged in research on all fields in East Asian Studies, including history, literature, political science, economics, art history, religion, sociology, archaeology, law, environmental studies and anthropology.

PARTICIPATION:
• Participants can take part in the conference as presenters and/or discussants.
• Presenters deliver talks no longer than 15 minutes that summarize research in progress.
• Discussants introduce the panelists and facilitate the 20-minute discussion session following the presentations.

APPLICATIONS (due November 27, 2011):
• Fill out application on http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ealac/gradconf/form.htm
• Notification of acceptance within two weeks of application deadline
• Final Papers (5-7 pages maximum) due January 8, 2012

REQUIRED INFO:
*Your full name as you would like it to appear in the abstract booklet
*Contact info (e-mail)
*Institutional affiliation
*Major area of study (region and discipline)
*Title of your paper
*One-page (250 words max.) abstract in print-ready format, including your name and institution
*We will not accept applications without abstracts (Please provide five key words for your paper in the abstract)

NOTE:
• Please indicate audiovisual equipment you will need for your presentation. Please note that our A/V resources are quite limited. Presenters must bring own laptops and VGA adapters for presentations.
• Presentations will be limited to 15 minutes, so full-length research papers will not be accepted
• Required $7 registration fee must be paid upon arrival at the conference

HOUSING:
The conference runs from Friday afternoon to late Saturday evening. Travel and lodging information can be found on the conference website. Please plan accordingly.

CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS:
Joshua Batts / Glenda Chao / Jae Won Chung / Clay Eaton / Matthieu Felt / Nicole Kwoh

CONTACT INFORMATION:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ealac/gradconf/

2012eagradcon@gmail.com

Graduate Student Conference on East Asia
Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
407 Kent Hall, Mail Code 3907
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027

FAX: 212-678-8629

Program Officer at Asia Society

2011-10-25T11:31:00.002-04:00

Great Asia Society Career Opportunity in Washington, DC, for MA graduates!

The Program Officer coordinates the Asia Society’s policy-related activities in the
fields of foreign policy, education, business and cultural diplomacy in Washington.
The Program Officer manages the Society’s Congressional outreach and education
activities, corporate briefing programs and policy advisory group. He/she also tracks
developments related to Asia Society’s priority issues and assists in developing and
implementing strategies to promote the organization’s policy and educational work
inside the Beltway.

See more information in this job listing pdf.

GWU Alum on Fulbright in China

2011-10-21T09:42:00.003-04:00

Sarah Tynen '11 received a Fulbright Scholar grant to study the effects of urban renewal on Nanjing's cultural identity. Congratulations!

Sarah received a Sigur Center Conference Travel Grant earlier this year to present her research in Sydney, Australia. Read an entry about Sarah's experience as a student and foreigner in China as an undergraduate on our blog here!

Finding Your Fulbright: An Info Session and Alumni Panel

2011-10-20T09:18:00.001-04:00

Finding Your Fulbright: An Info Session and Alumni Panel
November 17, 2011
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Alumni House
The George Washington University
1918 F Street NW
Washington, D.C.

Did you know that current GW graduate students and graduate student alumni are eligible to apply for the Fulbright Study Abroad Program? If you're interested in living and studying abroad for a year, join us for an information session and alumni panel to learn more about this prestigious program. The Fulbright for U.S. students includes grants for:

•Academic study,
•Research, and
•English Teaching Assistantships

Get an overview of the Fulbright Study Abroad Program and how the GW Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships can assist you with your application. Alumni who are past recipients will be on hand to discuss their experiences with the application, funding, and on-the-ground issues.

A reception follows the presentation.

This event is open to current GW graduate students and graduate student alumni, and is sponsored by the GW Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships, the GW Alumni Association, and the Elliott School of International Affairs.

Start Now: Apply for The 2012 Language Flagship Fellowships! Deadline is January 12, 2012

2011-10-19T09:50:00.004-04:00

The Language Flagship represents a major partnership between the National Security Education Program (NSEP) and select U.S. colleges and universities to develop intensive, advanced level language curricula in a number of languages critical to U.S. national security. At present, Language Flagship graduate programs have been established in Arabic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Persian.

Each year, NSEP awards a limited number of Flagship Fellowships to American students from a diverse array of fields and disciplines, who demonstrate a strong commitment to language study, who have already achieved an advanced level of proficiency in the language, and who wish to reach professional working proficiency in that language (ILR Level 3 or ACTFL “Superior” level).

Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), Flagship Fellowships provide financial support for full-time study of the language in a Master’s degree granting Flagship program. Flagship Fellowship recipients must maintain enrollment in a graduate Flagship program for the duration of the award period. In return, Flagship Fellows are expected to fulfill a requirement for service in a national security-related position in the U.S. federal government.

Please find the 2012 Flagship Fellowships online application at www.flagshipfellowships.org. We ask that you please share this information with eligible students who may be interested in this opportunity.

The Flagship Fellowship application deadline is January 12, 2012. All online components must be completed and all original supplementary materials must be received by the Institute of International Education by January 12, 2012. Materials sent by fax or email will not be accepted.

NSEP – The Language Flagship Fellowships
Institute of International Education
1400 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
1-800-618-6737

For further questions about the program, please visit the website at www.flagshipfellowships.org
or e-mailflagship@iie.org.

Professor Chaves goes to China: a cultural and enriching experience

2011-10-19T09:43:00.004-04:00

I spent two months of my spring sabbatical, 2011 (April, May) in China. A grant from the Sigur Center for Asian Studies of the Elliott School helped make this possible.

I was invited by Shanghai University School of Liberal Arts to deliver three lectures there in the capacity of Visiting Scholar. Speaking in Chinese, I addressed audiences of highly attentive graduate students, as well as administrators, colleagues, and undergraduates. The first lecture, with Power Point slides, was on the early Qing-Dynasty painter, Wu Li 吳歷(1632-1718), one of the first ordained Chinese Catholic priests, and his remarkable poetry based on Christian theology. The second was on the challenges involved in the translation of Chinese poetry into English, with an emphasis on the question of rhyme. And the third was a general survey of recent studies in Chinese literature in the West (USA and Canada especially). Questions were many, and of considerable interest in that they revealed a new generation of young scholars seriously committed to a revival of scholarship in classical Chinese literature.

As my recent research has been on early Qing-Dynasty (17th-18th century) travel writings about the Yellow Mountains (Huangshan 黃山) of Anhui 安徽Province, and their connection to the Anhui School of Chinese landscape painting, I next spent a full week exploring the Yellow Mountains, in the company of one of China's (and indeed, the world's) finest landscape photographers, Wang Wusheng 汪蕪生. Wang, an Anhui native, has become internationally famous for his spectacular photos of the Yellow Mountains, with one-man shows of his work in Vienna, New York, and Tokyo.

After the Yellow Mountains, I visited various other points in Anhui, especially the cities of Xuancheng 宣城and Hefei 合肥, the provincial capital. The libraries and museums of these cities promised to be treasure-troves of previously unknown poetry and prose about the Yellow Mountains, as indeed proved to be the case. And Xuancheng was particularly meaningful to me personally as being the hometown of one of my favorite poets, Mei Yaochen 梅堯臣(1002-1060), the subject of my PhD dissertation at Columbia University, and my first book. I was very happy to see that a statue commemorating Mei has just been erected in what will be a theme park dedicated to the Mei clan.

Visiting Xuancheng also made it possible for me to spend time in the remote village of Shuanglingkeng 雙嶺坑("Twin-Peak Gulley"), where the legendary Xuan-style paper is still made by hand, from scratch. I was able to observe the process by which the stripped bark of the wingceltis tree is boiled down into a paste, which is in turn spread out on fine-mesh bamboo screening, where it dries into what is considered the finest paper for calligraphy, painting, and woodblock printing.

From my perspective, the most inspiring aspect of this trip was the realization that there is, unmistakably, a renewed interest in China's glorious past among the younger generations there, while the usual assumption seems to be that it has been forgotten in the rush towards economic growth.

*********************************

Illustrations:

(1) and (2), Professor Chaves lecturing at Shanghai University

(3), at the Yellow Mountains, with photographic artist Wang Wusheng

(4) and (5), at the Yellow Mountains

(6), in the Anhui Provincial Library (Hefei), finding rare travel writings about the Yellow Mountains

(7) and (8), at the newly erected bronze statue of Mei Yaochen, Xuancheng

(9), (10), (11), at the workshop where Xuan paper is made from scratch, Shuanglingkeng Village

East Asian Literature & Languages Fall 2011 Newsletter: http://resources.columbian.gwu.edu/newsgen/public/41/89043c7f16fef9fbd99ed0bb3c8cbf7c.html#267

GW's Sean Daly presented his research paper on the Migration of North Korean women to China at a humanities conference in Seoul

2011-10-19T09:34:00.005-04:00

Sheltered from the record-breaking rainy season that flooded Seoul’s downtown, I spent a week this past summer at a humanities conference in Hanyang University’s mountain-top Paiknam Library.

The conference, which was put on by the Research Institute for Comparative History and Culture,brought together more than thirty researchers, professors, and graduate students from around the world to present their academic papers and explore the theme of borders. Seoul seemed an appropriate backdrop. Less than an hour’s drive from the most heavily fortified border in the world, we discussed topics such as heritage, diaspora, border-crossing, and self-formation in a transnational paradigm.

When it came time to present my research, I found myself standing before a panel of professors and researchers, experts in my research area. Behind them sat a room full of Korean citizens who are directly impacted by the issues that I can only read about in books. Showing proper deference for the collective knowledge of the participants in the room, I cautiously set about explaining the points of my controversial argument that, contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of North Korean women migrating to China are not victims of trafficking, but rather travel there of their own volition to marry ethnic Korean men of higher socioeconomic status. I found my audience to be receptive and, after presenting, I was able to engage Korean experts on the subject in discussions of how to improve my hypothesis and conduct further research on the topic. This experience has enhanced my standing for research grants that will allow me to lay the foundation for a doctoral degree.

The perspective and the contacts that I took away from the conference would not have been available to me without the support of GWU including the Sigur Center and the East Asian Languages and Literatures Department (EALL). By taking advantage of funds made available by the University, in this case a Conference Travel Grant, I was able to fly to the other side of the world for a weeklong trip to present my research. Such travel would have otherwise been prohibitively expensive. In doing so, I have enhanced not only my understanding of my research topic, but also my standing for future applications to academic programs and conferences. Too often, such grants and scholarship funds go unused. Necessary components of any area studies education include both overseas travel and language study. Funds supporting such travel and study are available to complement GWU’s academic programs. I encourage any students interested in Korean language, Korean studies, or any language or area focus to seek out these opportunities and apply. Had I not done so I would have missed another great opportunity to enhance my own education and enjoy Korea’s hallmark rainy summer nights.

East Asian Literature & Language Fall 2011 Newsletter: http://resources.columbian.gwu.edu/newsgen/public/41/89043c7f16fef9fbd99ed0bb3c8cbf7c.html#267

GWU Sigur Center alumnus James Reilly publishes book

2011-10-18T09:51:00.003-04:00

Jamie Reilly, recipient of 2 Sigur Center Field Research Grants, has published a book titled Strong Society, Smart State: The Rise of Public Opinion in China's Japan Policy! He is currently a lecturer in northeast Asian politics at the University of Sydney. Jamie received 2 grants from the Sigur Center in 2001 and 2006 as a Political Science Ph.D. student. His biography from the publisher's page is below.

James Reilly is lecturer in northeast Asian politics at the University of Sydney. He earned his Ph.D. from George Washington University and has been a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Oxford and a Fulbright Scholar at Renmin University in Beijing. His research focuses on Chinese foreign policy, East Asian politics, and international relations, and for eight years he worked with the American Friends Service Committee in China.

Boren Graduate Fellowship (NSEP) Info Session

2011-10-13T11:00:00.002-04:00

Learn more about the Boren Fellowships for students to enhance their educational experiences in an area of the world critical to national security.

Tuesday, October 25th at 4pm
1957 E Street NW, Lindner Family Commons, 6th Floor
RSVP via Elliott School Career Connection

Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Asia. Learn more about the program.

Spring 2012 Study Abroad Applications DUE OCT 15

2011-10-13T10:51:00.003-04:00

Applications for Spring 2012 Study Abroad Programs due Saturday, October 15th!

Note: Many study abroad programs in Asia are available only in the spring due to academic schedules.

The Elliott School exchange program application process is now on-line. To begin an application, please go to http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=elliottschoolgradexchange and select the exchange program to which you wish to apply. You will be prompted to log into the on-line system using your GW Net id and email password. All on-line materials and requested original documents (in hard copy) are due to by October 15 to the Elliott School International Programs & Education office, Suite 401, 1957 E Street, NW. Keep in mind, the office is not open on Saturday, so bring hard copy pieces of you application in by October 14th close of business.

Please contact Katie Pazda at esintl@gwu.edu with any questions! Thank you for your patience as we roll out this new process.

Less Than 40 Days Left! Apply NOW for the Carnegie Endowment Junior Fellows Program for Graduating Seniors

2011-10-10T14:38:00.003-04:00

CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE: JUNIOR FELLOWS PROGRAM
<http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrFellows>

GW Deadline: November 18, 2011

Each year the Carnegie Endowment offers 8-10 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. They are selected through a highly competitive process from a pool of nominees from close to 300 colleges.

Students who have started graduate studies are not eligible. Candidates should have significant coursework in international affairs, political science, economics, history or Russian or Chinese studies. All applicants must be nominated by GW. Other relevant foreign language abilities are desirable as well.

Carnegie Junior Fellows provide research assistance to senior researchers working on the Carnegie Endowment's projects such as non-proliferation, democracy building, trade, US leadership, China-related issues and Russian/Eurasian studies. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists and government officials.

To learn more, visit:http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrFellows

This year's project areas include:

Democracy– Political Science background preferred.

Nuclear Policy

Energy and Climate

International Economics – Economics background required.

Middle East Studies – Native or near-native Arabic language skills essential.

South Asian Studies – Applicants should be comfortable with quantitative data manipulation as well as possess an interest in military issues.

South East Asian Studies

Asian Studies – Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus.

Russian/Eurasian Studies – Excellent Russian language skills required.

AWARD: Positions are paid, full-time positions for one year. Junior fellows are currently paid a gross salary of $36,000/year. A full benefits package is also provided.

ELIGIBILITY: Graduating seniors and recent grads should have at least a 3.7 GPA; applicants cannot have started a graduate program.

GW APPLICATION DEADLINE: GW can nominate up to two applications. To be included in the GW nomination process, please submit a completed application to the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research by Friday, November 18, 2011.

If you are interested in applying for a Carnegie Junior Fellowship or have any questions please email us at fellcent@gwu.edu.

Fan the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/GWU-Center-for-Undergraduate-Fellowships-and-Research/141965255865409

Paul Hoyt-O’Connor, Director
Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research
714 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
202-994-0517
fellcent@gwu.edu
www.gwu.edu/~fellcent

Call for Submission to the International Affairs Review: Fall 2011 Edition

2011-10-10T10:51:00.002-04:00

International Affairs Review (IAR) is a student-run publication of The George Washington University's graduate program at the Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington, D.C. Now celebrating its 18th year in print and 3rd year on the web, IAR provides a unique forum for the policy perspectives of tomorrow's leaders on critical issues facing the world today. Published in hardcopy biannually and on the IAR website, the IAR Journal provides compelling, academic policy analyses from graduate student communities at the world's top international affairs schools. The IAR Website updates its content weekly, and includes book reviews, analytical commentary on critical social and economic issues, and interviews with policy experts.

Fall 2011 Print Edition: IAR will publish this edition of the Journal in hardcopy and on its website: http://www.iar-gwu.org

Submissions:

IAR Journal accepts the following types of submissions:

1) Policy-oriented Research Articles (3,500 to 5,000 words),

2) Analytical Commentary (3,000 words or less), and

3) Book Reviews (800 words or less).

When sending your submission, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Cover letter: Submissions must include a cover letter indicating the author's full name, institutional affiliation, contact information, and a 100-word biography.
Abstract: A 150-word abstract must accompany all submissions.
Citations: Submissions must be properly documented according to Chicago Manual of Style guidelines. References must be in comp All lete endnote form.
Deadline: Submissions for the upcoming issue must be submitted electronically as Microsoft Word documents to iar@gwu.edu no later than October 17, 2011. Authors will be notified of the status of their submissions by late October 2011.

Selection:

submitted articles are peer-reviewed by the entire IAR editing staff. Articles are selected based on several criteria, namely the strength of the argument, logic, style, originality, and timeliness. IAR will inform authors in a timely manner if their article is selected. If an article is selected, upon acceptance of the offer of publication, the author thereby agrees to participate in IAR’s editing process. ForFurther Information, please contact iar@gwu.edu.

Elliott School M.A. Graduate Students: Have you taken your Foreign Language Diagnostic Exam yet?

2011-10-10T10:08:00.002-04:00

If you need to fulfill a foreign-language proficiency requirement, you are strongly advised to take one of the self-administered diagnostic tests as soon as possible. Diagnostic exams for Elliott School graduate students are now available for: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.

The diagnostic examinations will help you assess your availability in the foreign language and provide an estimate of your proficiency level. You may also use this test to guide your placement in GW foreign-language courses.

If you are taking the Arabic or German diagnostic examination, you should use the Firefox or Internet Explorer web browsers because the tests contain audio clips that cannot be accessed with other browsers. For the other languages, you may also use other popular browsers like Safari.

If you have any questions about these diagnostic tests, please contact Mr. Ryan Pond of Academic Programs in the Elliott School Dean’s Office at this e-mail address: esiaskills@gmail.com

Want to conduct your own research related to Asia? Then attend the Cotlow Conference to learn how!

2011-10-06T16:54:00.002-04:00

2011 Lewis N. Cotlow Student Research Conference

FRIDAY OCTOBER 14, 2011
2-5 p.m. with reception following
1957 E Street NW, room B-12

At this annual event, ten undergraduate and graduate students will present findings from their anthropological fieldwork. All students are encouraged to attend the conference and reception, especially if you're interested in pursuing Cotlow-funded research in the coming years. Students will present on a wide range of topics including:

Allopathic health care in Bangalore India
Children’s rights in Senegalese Koranic schools (Madrassas)
Social Problems for Pokot women recovering from obstetric fistula surgery
Unshod Daasanach runners from Kenya and the interpretation of 1.5 million-year-old fossil footprints
Ancient Mayan political organization
Pilgrims and Tourists on the Route of St. Jacques de Compostella, Spain
Yoga as a commodity in Mysore, India
The rise in Chinese organic farming
The impact of tourism on the women of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Late formative era figurines from Oaxaca, Mexico

Student interested in applying for 2012 funds should review the proposal form and instructions found on the website. The deadline for application is 5 p.m. Friday, March 2

For more information, contact the GW Anthropology department at 202-994-6075 or anth@email.gwu.edu. A list of all projects funded to date is on our website: http://departments.columbian.gwu.edu/anthropology/Cotlow

Asian Studies Program Assistant

2011-10-06T12:58:00.002-04:00

Apply for the Program Assistant position with the Asian Studies Program!

The assistant will work closely with the Program Director, Sigur Center Staff, and Asian Studies Faculty in all of the program’s activities, including academic scheduling, event planning, budgeting, and student advising. The incumbent will play a lead role in helping foster a sense of community among Asian Studies students and faculty and will serve as the main link between the students and the Asian Studies Program and the Sigur Center. The Program Assistant will also act as the Sigur Center receptionist which requires answering the phone, greeting visitors, and processing mail.

Desired Qualifications:
• Demonstrated experience and interest in Asia and international affairs
• Current GWU MA student; first-year ESIA student strongly preferred
• Prior professional experience in either project or program management
• Experience with marketing, outreach, and academic recruiting
• Experience with website design and management
• Working knowledge of social networking tools (Twitter, Facebook, and blogs)
• Cross-cultural experience and/or working in an international environment
• Excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills
• Familiarity with word processing, database management, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work with little supervision, but also teamwork skills

Please visit here for more information about the position and application.

International Affairs Fellowship for Sophomores

2011-10-06T11:34:00.004-04:00

International Affairs Fellowship for Sophomores
Deadline: February 15, 2012

The UNCFSP Institute for International Public Policy is one of the nation’s premier fellowship programs in global affairs for underrepresented students.

The Institute enhances US national security and global competitiveness by promoting excellence, international service, and awareness among a broader, more representative cross-section of the American citizenry. We prepare a cadre of well-trained, language proficient minority young people to compete in the global marketplace. The Institute helps ensure that those entrusted with the affairs of the United States reflect the diversity that defines us as Americans and confronts us as citizens of our global village.

With nearly two decades of demonstrated excellence as the leading provider of international affairs and public policy education for minority college students, the program has educated and trained hundreds of Fellows. Our focus is on providing quality education and practice opportunities to minority students beginning in their sophomore year of college. We offer these opportunities through our sequenced six-component program, which includes:

Sophomore Summer Policy Institute
Junior Year Study Abroad
Junior Summer Policy Institute
Summer Language Institute
Internships
Internationally Focused Advanced Degree

Our unique combination of short seven-week summer global policy institutes: a unique study abroad experience focusing on global public policy, service and research; and a pro-active and culturally sensitive approach to minority education that fosters international service and non-profit sector leadership provides the program with the means to meet the needs of its diverse students and help them succeed.

The Institute also provides outreach, recruitment and technical assistance services, as well as offering HBCUs and other minority institutions valuable resources to strengthen their international studies and globalization infrastructures.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements from undergraduate sophomores include the following:

Are enrolled full-time at an accredited four–year baccalaureate-granting institution
Are U.S. Citizens or legal residents (documentary support required)
Have a minimum 3.2 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
Possess excellent critical analysis and leadership skills
Have a strong demonstrated interest in international affairs, public policy and language training
Are an underrepresented minority (African American, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander)
Plan to seek admission to an advanced degree program in international affairs

Though not a requirement, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete at least one of the following courses before starting the IIPP Fellowship: international affairs, foreign policy, a foreign language, political science, sociology, macro/micro-economics, statistics or a course in journalism.

Apply here!

U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Internship and Fellowship

2011-10-04T10:05:00.004-04:00

Do you have an interest in U.S.-China affairs?

Internship
The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC) is currently looking for motivated candidates for our 2012 Research Internship Program.

The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC) is currently looking for motivated Research Interns to assist Senior Analysts with research on emerging U.S. and China issues. Recent topics of interest to the Commission have included cyber security, China’s 12th five-year plan, outward foreign direct investment, military modernization, and East Asian security and cooperation.

The USCC was established by Congress to look into the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. In support of this mandate, Interns will be expected to assist with internal research, prepare and analyze materials for public hearings, editing sessions and other meetings, and attend seminars, meetings and events on behalf of the USCC.

All applicants for Research Internships must be U.S. citizens (or have applied for U.S. citizenship and naturalization), and must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent. Research Interns must be at least college juniors or seniors in good standing, or be recent graduates.

Coursework with a focus on Chinese and/or broader Asian business, economics, culture, history, & language; international relations, foreign affairs and security studies; or specialization in other related areas is desirable. Chinese reading skills are highly desirable.

To apply or get more information about the Commission and our Internship opportunities, check us out at: www.uscc.gov

Application Deadlines:
Spring 2012 (January – May): November 4, 2011
Summer 2012 (June – August): April 8, 2012
Fall 2012 (September – December): July 8, 2012

Fellowship
The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC) is currently looking for motivated candidates for our 2012 Research Fellowship program.

The USCC was established by Congress to look into the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Recent topics of interest to the Commission have included China’s 12th five-year plan, outward foreign direct investment, military modernization, and East Asian security and cooperation.

The USCC Fellowship Program is a full-time 24 week opportunity with two sessions offered each year. The first session begins in mid-January and the second begins in July. Individual Fellowships may be extended up to 48 weeks; two concurrent sessions.

The program is intended to fully engage participants in the key elements of the Commission’s Annual Report cycle. The report cycle includes the preparation and facilitation of public hearings; the drafting and editing process; and releasing the report and its findings. Generally, Fellows are expected to work with little supervision on substantive long term assignments and projects. A Fellow’s day-to-day work includes researching, monitoring and analyzing issues of importance to U.S.- China relations, Taiwan, and the western Pacific Region as well as attending seminars, meetings and events on behalf of the USCC. Fellows may also be assigned independent, original research projects by the Commission’s Research Working Group (RWG).

The USCC is dedicated to maintaining a diverse workforce with a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. Fellowships are intellectually challenging and require individual initiative and an ability to monitor and report on current events and issues. Strong research and communications skills – writing and oral – are essential.

All applicants for Research Fellowships must be U.S. citizens (or be permanent residents with legal authorization to live and work in the United States), and must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent. Research Fellows must be current graduate-level students, or have completed an accredited Master’s or J.D. program.

Coursework with a strong focus on Chinese and/or broader Asian business, economics, culture, history, & language; international relations, foreign affairs and security studies; or specialization in other related areas is desirable. The ability to read Chinese at an advanced level is highly desirable.

To apply or get more information about the Commission and our Internship opportunities, check us out at: www.uscc.gov

Application Deadlines:
Session I (January – June 2012): November 4, 2011
Session II (July – December 2012): April 8, 2011

Mark Oct. 7th! Pre-Registration for the Elliott School Foreign Language Proficiency Exam

2011-10-03T13:17:00.005-04:00

If you plan on taking the GW-proctored examination this semester, you MUST pre-register to ensure there are spots for all students who wish to take the exam. Pre-registration is now open for the Elliott School reading and speaking foreign language proficiency examinations for the Fall 2011 semester. If you do not pre-register, GW may not be able to accommodate you this fall.

The deadline for pre-registration is October 7th (Friday).

We expect final registration to take place in mid-October and will be working with the GW Language Center to finalize the schedule and begin the final examination registration process.

The examination period is tentatively scheduled for November 7th to 18th (except for Arabic). Students wishing to take the Arabic exam should contact Emily Voight at mesp@gwu.edu regarding the Arabic testing schedule.

To pre-register, click on the following link and then complete and submit the pre-registration form: http://tiny.cc/ESIAlanguage.
Again, if you do not pre-register by October 7th, it is possible that you may not be able to take the proficiency examination this fall. Students who pre-register will have priority in the final registration process.

Any questions regarding the foreign language proficiency examination process, please contact: Ryan Pond at rjpond@gwu.edu.
Questions regarding the Arabic language exam , please contact: Emily Voight at mesp@gwu.edu.

Study Abroad Opportunity in Vietnam

2011-09-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

Established in 2003, the Vo Xuan Trang Memorial Scholarship is awarded each term to a student participating on a CET Vietnam program. In Spring 2012, two of these scholarships ($1500 each) will be available.

Students may submit scholarship applications concurrently with their online program application. Applications are evaluated with respect to academic achievement, strength of essay and recommendations letters, and financial need.

CET Vietnam is for challenge-loving students who seek something different from a term abroad. Students conduct service-learning projects at philanthropic organizations in Ho Chi Minh City. They tackle Vietnamese language in the classroom (8 hours per week) and explore their environs with a Vietnamese roommate. The program accepts students of all majors and language levels—from beginners to heritage learners.

CET Academic Programs is a study abroad organization based in Washington, DC that has been designing and administering innovative educational programs abroad since 1982. Originally “China Educational Tours,” CET began operations in Beijing, later expanding to other cities in China and then to other countries around the world. Today, CET offers semester and summer study abroad programs in China, the Czech Republic, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Syria and Vietnam, as well as short-term, customized programs worldwide. CET is known for high academic standards, innovative approaches to teaching and careful student management. CET programs integrate students into their overseas communities and lead them to create lasting relationships with their local hosts. CET is the only US provider to house its students with local roommates in each of its locations. As an environmentally conscientious organization, CET adopts locally appropriate measures in its centers worldwide to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable practices wherever possible. Staffed by over 40 full-time employees in the United States and abroad, CET currently sends around 1000 US students abroad annually.

For more information, visit http://cetacademicprograms.com/programs/vietnam/vietnamese-studies-vietnam/.

Exciting Winter 2012 Trip to Thai-Burma Border!

2011-09-28T15:35:00.000-04:00

Winter 2012 Student Exposure Trip to Thai-Burma Border

Date of Trip: January 2, 2012 – January 12, 2012

WHY GO TO THE THAILAND-BURMA BORDER?
Have you been hearing/reading/thinking about Burma but want to go and see for yourself what is happening? Every year US Campaign for Burma brings a group of young activists to the Thai-Burma border to help them build a stronger personal relationship with the struggle for freedom and human rights in Burma. Those who participate will visit Dr. Cynthia’s well-regarded Mae Tao Clinic, refugee camps, as well as meet a variety of individuals who risk their lives to help their country.

If you have been interested or involved in Burma’s epic freedom struggle, this trip will provide you with the knowledge and legitimacy beneficial to elevating your efforts to help the people of Burma at an effective level. You will leave Thailand with unique knowledge and experience of the crisis and ways to assist the people of Burma. This is more than just an exposure tour where you learn about what is happening; by the end of this trip, you are expected to take the knowledge and be a strong leader in pushing for Burma action in your local area.

HOW DOES THIS TRIP WORK?
The group (consisting of 8-10 people) will meet up in Bangkok, Thailand and then travel to other key sites on the Thai-Burma border for 10 days. An experienced USCB staff member will lead the trip.

CAN I APPLY?
In order to apply to participate in this trip, you must be in good medical condition and be able to pay for the costs of your own travel and trip coordination. The cost will be between $1400-1500 for the 10-day trip, but will vary for each individual participant. All trip participants must arrange their own roundtrip travel to Bangkok, Thailand on January 2nd.

Trip itineraries will remain confidential because of the sensitive nature of the organizations’ work. While every precaution will be taken by the trip coordinator to ensure complete safety of the group, all trip participants will need to sign a waiver in order to participate.

Applications are due on October 31, 2011 . If interested, please contact Thelma Young at thelma@uscampaignforburma.org. Download the application by clicking here.

For more information, please go to: http://uscampaignforburma.org/winter-2012-student-exposure-trip-to-thai-burma-border

Attention Graduate Students: Check Out These Three New Job Openings at the US-India Business Council at the US Chamber of Commerce!

2011-09-28T14:56:00.003-04:00

Director, Policy Advocacy forAerospace, Defense and Infrastructure
United States-India Business Council(USIBC)

POSITIONOVERVIEW:

Support the committee management, policy advocacy, member services,and member retention work for the U.S. India Business Council’s aerospaceportfolio and the defense and infrastructure portfolio.

Remain current on policydevelopments in assigned portfolios; identify key issues facing members; assistin convening member companies for input; organize conference calls, events, andmeeting; maintain content for the members-only websites; sustain and updatedatabases; develop regular, sector-specific updates; and help Directors inpreparing news articles, press releases, and event invitations.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s and 1-5 years’ work experience in aerospace anddefense, international trade and economics, and /or infrastructure development;experience with conference or meeting planning, database and website management,drafting reports, public speaking, and policy advocacy; proven knowledge of thegrowing strategic relationship between the U.S. and India and policy issuesrelate to export controls and trade barriers; strong written communicationskills; and the ability to work effectively in a team. Graduate degreepreferred.

POSITIONOVERVIEW:

Support the work of multiple Executive Committee portfolios throughcommunications, research, event planning, and customer service.

Responsibilities:
Develop expertise and remaincurrent on policy developments within each portfolio; help plan and organizecouncil events; produce sector-specific updates; create and update content forthe website and maintain databases; draft background briefs, fliers, and othermaterials; initiate correspondence and respond to inquiries; coordinatelogistics and help draft timelines and benchmarks for programs; schedule andorganize conference calls; and research and arrange meetings with prospectivemembers.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’sdegree and 2-5 years’ related work experience in either the life sciences orlegal and professional service sectors; experience planning conferences ormeetings, managing databases and websites, and drafting reports and briefings;knowledge of international relations; strong writtencommunications and customer service skills; and the ability to work on ateam. Master’s degree and experience and familiarity with Indiapreferred.

Salary commensurate withexperience.

Apply online at www.uschamber.com/careers.
We recruit, employ, train,compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color,national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability,veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, orlocal law. Our recruitment and employment policies are inclusive. We respectboth the spirit and letter of the laws of equal employment opportunity.

Director, Policy Advocacy,Energy
United States-India Business Council(USIBC)

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The director will manage abroad energy policy portfolio for the U. S.-India Business Council, an advocacyorganization of America’sand India’stop-tier companies whose aim is to deepen two-way trade and strengthencommercial ties.

Remain current on policydevelopments as they relate to the business community operatinginternationally; identify key issues affecting USIBC member-companies’operations; plan and organize council events and activities; regularly convenemembers of the Energy, Environment and Enterprise (EEE) Committee to conceiveand generate the advocacy agenda; work closely with members on issues affectingtheir ability to succeed at doing business; grow membership; producesector-specific updates to keep members informed on USIBC activities; developand maintain a committee contact database and USIBC members-only website; andoversee the preparation of news articles, press releases, and fliers.

REQUIREMENTS:

Master’s degree or Juris Doctorate in related field and 5-9 years’work experience in the relevant policy area; knowledge of and exposure to Indiaculture; familiarity with the U.S. Congress and the broader Washington policyenvironment; experience coordinating conferences and meetings, managingdatabases and websites, and drafting reports and briefings; excellent publicspeaking skills; strong written and verbal communications skills; ability tobuild effective internal and external networks; and flexibility to travel toIndia.

Hatchet Article Highlights Unique Public Health Study Abroad Program in India

2011-09-27T13:18:00.005-04:00

Sustainable Aid

GW public health study abroad program sends students to India to examine the impact of social entrepreneurship.

September 26, 2011
By Jennifer Eder

Nitasha Chaudhary thought she knew India. A first-generation Indian American, the GW School of Public Health and Health Services graduate student spent summers in India with family throughout her childhood. But a recent visit as part of a new GW short-term study abroad program opened her eyes to the poverty she had never seen before.

Ms. Chaudhary, M.P.H. ’08, was one of 16 GW students who spent two weeks traveling throughout India, shadowing a handful of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Their travels took them to poor areas of New Delhi and Mumbai, under the sponsorship of GW’s Office of Study Abroad and the SPHHS.

“I was really in shock that I drove on so many of the same streets and never realized what was happening behind these tree barriers,” said Ms. Chaudhary, who is earning a graduate certificate in community-based program management. “It’s poverty everywhere.”

The study abroad trip was part of a six-week summer course called Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of India. Led by Amita Vyas, director of the Maternal and Child Health Program in SPHHS, and Blaine Parrish, assistant professor of health policy and prevention and community health, the first four weeks of the course were spent on GW’s campus in the classroom. Students learned the difference between a nonprofit and social entrepreneurship – the development of ideas that lead to new approaches to social issues in a community.

“Nonprofit organizations tend to take donations and then turn around and provide services,” said Dr. Parrish. “Social entrepreneurs actually establish an organization that empowers the people to do their own fundraising or their own sustainable programming.”

The last two weeks of the course were spent in India, which is home to 1.2 billion people and an estimated 3.3 million NGOs.

What the group quickly realized is that many of India’s existing NGOs aren’t sustainable.

“The difference nonprofits make is the immediate difference. They don’t make a long-term difference. They deal with the immediate needs that the people have for housing, clothing, health care and immunizations,” said Dr. Parrish. “But where are they as people need work and some kind of basic infrastructure around them?”

This was the first SPHHS study abroad program, and it has already gained national recognition. Last week, the course was awarded the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health’s Innovative Curriculum Award.

SPHHS also has launched a new two-credit, 12-day health care study abroad program to Israel. The program, which is called Health Services Delivery in Israel and is housed in the Department of Health Services Management and Leadership, will begin in December.

On the India trip, students visited organizations such as ACORN India to learn about waste management in Mumbai’s Dhavari slum, the largest in Asia.

“Within five minutes of getting there, they were almost speechless because they didn’t even know how to respond to what they were seeing – over a million people living in one square mile without any real sanitation and living on heaps of garbage,” said Dr. Vyas.

Ms. Chaudhary, who received her master’s in maternal and child health in 2008 and came back to GW to get a graduate certificate in community-based program management, said the poverty in India is on an entirely different scale than what exists in the U.S.

“India has so many people that there’s not just pockets that are struck by poverty. There’s a beautiful mansion, and then right next door, there can be a huge slum,” she said.

As the students saw how widespread the poverty was despite the number of NGOs, they began to get frustrated and question what solutions could actually be effective.

“They kept saying, ‘I took this class because I want to make a difference. I want to save the world. I want to save lives. But I don’t know how I can really do anything. I don’t see how I can make a dent because it is so intense and so overwhelming,’” said Dr. Vyas. “Students have great ideas in the classroom, but it’s not until they get out into the field and see whether their idea is actually feasible that they can start doubting their good ideas.”

Part of the problem, Ms. Chaudhary said, is a weak infrastructure to support the NGOs, and that’s why NGOs need to have a sustainable business plan.

“In the end, just offering social services isn’t sustainable,” said Kelly Healy, a graduate student in the Department of Global Health. “But if you give them a small loan, for example, and help them start a business, they can provide for their family or community. It goes much further than a handout. You need to try to get to the root of the problem.”

Cara Hayes, a graduate student studying international development in the Elliott School of International Affairs, took the course because she’s interested in social enterprise, private-sector poverty solutions and global corporate responsibility.

Having little public health experience, Ms. Hayes asked very different questions than the other students on the trip.

“I would never think to ask how many babies are delivered here each month, or what are the main nutritional deficiencies,” she said. “Instead, I would ask, ‘What’s your five-year plan for growth?’”

Ms. Hayes’s favorite organization that the group visited in India was Population Services International, which offers lifesaving products, clinical services and behavior change communications in 67 countries, with a focus on malaria, child survival, HIV and reproductive health. In India, the organization is working on a campaign to promote the use of intrauterine devices as a form of contraception.

The students were required to write daily blog posts and reflect on their experiences. And after returning to the U.S., they created business plans for a social enterprise. Courtnay Oddman, an undergraduate student in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences studying communications, developed a business plan that would create a school for autistic children in India.
“The school would teach them different business and communication skills, and then the students can eventually take over the business when they graduate and become the teachers themselves,” said Ms. Oddman.

In the end, the trip was an “emotional, physical and intellectual journey,” Dr. Vyas said. “And they’ll carry this experience with them through the rest of their education and into their careers.”

For Ms. Chaudhary, the lasting impression from the trip was the importance of creating a sustainable impact, one community at a time.

“At the end of a day, when you’re working with a billion people, even if you are only making a difference in 10 people’s lives, they will make a difference in other people’s lives and therefore it’s a cyclical effect. This idea of social entrepreneurship can really make a difference. It’s communities teaching communities,” said Ms. Chaudhary.

Check out the link to this Hatchet article for a photo: http://gwtoday.gwu.edu/theworld/sustainableaid?utm_source=gwtodayemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gwtodayemail092611

Elliott School Graduate Open House

2011-09-27T09:37:00.003-04:00

Are you considering graduate study at the Elliott School? You are cordially invited to attend Open House events for prospective students.

Attendees will hear from faculty and staff about Elliott School graduate programs, study abroad opportunities, and career development. Reception to follow.

Please click on one of the dates below to RSVP.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011
6:00-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011
6:00-8:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the admissions office at esiagrad@gwu.edu or 202-994-7050.

Information about these and other recruiting events is posted on the admissions website.

Watch the Speech Given by Hirokazu Nakaima, the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

2011-09-26T14:41:00.009-04:00

September 19th, 2011 Event: The Okinawa Question: Regional Security, the US-Japan Alliance, and Futenma

Governor Hirokazu Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, discusses Futenma Marine Airbase and U.S.-Japan relations.

Watch the video of Governor Nakaima's speech here:

http://media.elliott.gwu.edu/video/245

Event highlights included:

welcoming remarks by Mike Mochizuki & Akikazu Hashimoto
Luncheon keynote: the Governor of Okinawa
Two panel discussions: U.S.-Japan-China Strategic Triangle and How to Solve the Futenma Air Corps Marine Station Issues

Sponsored by the Sigur Center for Asian Studies and The Nansei Shoto Industrial Advancement Center

The Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam Explores Partnerships with GW

2011-09-22T17:27:00.003-04:00

GW President Steven Knapp welcomed His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, to campus Sept. 18.

The Crown Prince of Brunei and President Knapp met in Duquès Hall to discuss potential partnerships with George Washington for faculty research and student exchanges.

The meeting also included His Royal Highness Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi; The Honorable Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; His Excellency Dato Paduka Haji Yusoff Haji Abd Hami, the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the United States of America, and Muhammad Lutfi bin Abdullah, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office.

With GW's new state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Hall in progress, GW officials are hopeful that one of the outcomes of this historic meeting will be student exchanges with Brunei in engineering and sciences.

Brunei Darussalam is a Southeast Asian nation on the island of Borneo, and its constitutional sultanate has its roots in the 14th century. The geography of Brunei is known for its dense forests and swamps, and perhaps with a future partnership, GW can work with this nation to preserve its rich biodiversity and natural lands.

Click the link to read more about the Prince's visit to GW:
http://gwtoday.gwu.edu/aroundcampus/gwbruneiexplorepartnerships?utm_source=gwtodayemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gwtodayemail092211

Blakemore Language Grants for Advanced Study of Asian Languages

2011-09-22T11:57:00.003-04:00

Below please find a language study opportunity that might be of interest to graduate students who are pursuing study of a modern Asian language (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Khmer or Burmese).

Blakemore Language Grants for Advanced Study of Asian Languages

The Blakemore Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2012 Blakemore Freeman Fellowships and Blakemore Refresher Grants.

Blakemore language grants are awarded to individuals pursuing academic, business or other professional careers (e.g. science, medicine, law, engineering, journalism, the fine arts, public service) who would benefit from improved fluency in an East or Southeast Asian language.

Blakemore Freeman Fellowships fund a year of advanced language study at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama (IUC), the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing (IUP), the International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University in Taipei (ICLP), and similar programs in other countries of East and SE Asia. Where there is no structured advanced-level language program at an educational institution in the country, the grant may provide for the financing of private tutorials under terms set forth in the application instructions.

Blakemore Refresher Grants are shorter-term language grants restricted to former Blakemore Fellows, college professors, post-doctoral professionals and graduates of the academic year programs at the IUC, the IUP and the ICLP.

The grants cover tuition and a stipend for related educational expenses, basic living costs and transportation, but do not include dependent expenses.

For application forms and further information see http://www.blakemorefoundation.org/.

Eligibility

Pursuing academic, professional or business career that involves the regular use of a modern Asian language
Have a college undergraduate degree
At or near an advanced level in the language as defined in the Grant Guidelines
Able to devote oneself exclusively to the language study during the term of the grant; grants are not intended for part-time study or research
U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States

Selection Criteria

Grants are highly competitive. Last year we were able to offer funding to less than 9% of applicants. Applicants will be judged on having:

focused, well-defined career objective involving Asia in which use of the language is an important aspect
potential to make a significant contribution to a field of study or area of
professional or business activity in an Asian country
prior experience in the country or involvement or participation in activities related to the country
good academic, professional or business background, appropriate to the career program

Deadline for Applications Grants Awarded
Postmarked by December 30, 2011 · Late March/early April 2012

Blakemore Foundation
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 4800, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206.359.8778
blakemorefoundation@gmail.com or blakemore@perkinscoie.com
http://www.blakemorefoundation.org/

2012 Applications Now Open for the National Science Foundation’s East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students

2011-09-21T11:36:00.001-04:00

The National Science Foundation (NSF) East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI) is a flagship international fellowship program for developing the next generation of globally engaged U.S. scientists and engineers knowledgeable about the Asian and Pacific regions. The Summer Institutes are hosted by foreign counterparts committed to increasing opportunities for young U.S. researchers to work in research facilities and with host mentors abroad. Fellows are supported to participate in eight-week research experiences at host laboratories in Australia, China, Japan (10 weeks), Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan from June to August. The program provides a $5,000 summer stipend, round-trip airfare to the host location, living expenses abroad, and an introduction to the society, culture, language, and research environment of the host location.

The 2012 application is now open and will close at 5:00 pm proposer's local time on November 9, 2011. Application instructions are available online at www.nsfsi.org. For further information concerning benefits, eligibility, and tips on applying, applicants are encouraged to visit www.nsf.gov/eapsi or www.nsfsi.org.

Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP) Graduate Student Fellowship with the East West Center

2011-09-21T11:14:00.007-04:00

The East-West Center is pleased to invite applications for the Asia Pacific Leadership Program Fellowship (APLP) for the 2012 – 2013 year. The APLP is the center of excellence for leadership education in the Asia Pacific region and a signature program of the East West Center.

Currently celebrating its 11th anniversary, the APLP has created a network of 400 dynamic leaders in 53 countries who are helping to build a peaceful, prosperous and just Asia Pacific community. Upon acceptance, all participants receive a fellowship valued at approximately $15,000 USD to cover the majority of the program costs.

For more information, visit the APLP webpage at: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/education/aplp

For questions and more specific information, contact Jacob Dowd at dowd.jacob@gmail.com

Attention Undergraduate Students: Learn about the Myriad GW-Approved Study Abroad Programs in Asia at Today's Study Abroad Fair!

2011-09-21T09:38:00.002-04:00

Fall 2011 Study Abroad Fair
Wednesday, September 21
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Marvin Center Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Come to the fall 2011 Study Abroad Fair to learn about the hundreds of programs available to you each semester! Learn more about the Focus on Fall Abroad Community, scholarship opportunities, and GW programs and exchanges. Representatives from many of our approved programs and providers will be in attendance. This is an excellent opportunity for all GW students to get information, from those just starting to think about study abroad to those applying for next semester.

Opportunity for Undergraduate Students to be Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal

2011-09-20T13:09:00.002-04:00

The Michigan Journal of Asian Studies is a peer-reviewed journal that aims to provide undergraduate students around the world with a venue for submissions of original research and/or analytical papers on Asian Studies. We accept work from all disciplines relating to South, Southeast, and East Asia. Our deadline for submissions is October 10^th, 2011. All submissions must meet the following guidelines:

--Your subject line and document title should fit the following format: [author name] [paper title] [region (south/southeast/east)]

--Submissions have a lower limit of approximately 5000 words.

--All submissions must include a coversheet. The coversheet should include an abstract, your full name, academic institution, and e-mail address.

--Authors must provide a complete bibliography with their submissions, including page citations. Authors should follow the Chicago Manual of Style format for references and endnotes.

The author must supply any additional figures and pictures as separate files in the highest resolution possible. It must be noted in the document as to where the figure belongs. (e.g. [Picture001 belongs here])

Please send all comments and questions to michiganjournalofasianstudies@umich.edu

Learn How to Apply for Fellowships: Applying for Academic and Professional Fellowships Workshop

2011-09-19T16:26:00.004-04:00

Hello Students, Alumni, and Colleagues,

The Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research will be hosting a fellowship workshop session entitled Applying for Academic and Professional Fellowships this Thursday!

Date: Thursday, September 22^nd

Location: the University Honors Program basement (714 21^stStreet NW)

Time: 5-6pm

Victoria Johnson from ProFellow (www.Profellow.com ) will offer application tips, advice on how to apply for graduate level fellowships, and strategies for working abroad after college.

Besides her work at ProFellow, Ms. Johnson has extensive experience from having successfully applied to the following awards:

NYC Urban Fellows Program (2001-2, the "9/11 class")
German Chancellor Fellowship (2003-4)
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship in Washington, DC (2005)
Ian Axford Fellowship in Public Policy in New Zealand (present, administered by Fulbright)

In addition to her fellowship work, Ms. Johnson also brings a wealth of experience in the field of emergency management and policy studies.

Please RSVP at fellcent@gwu.edu if you are interested in attending this session.