Group of people in India

Asian Studies

About Our Program

Weave your educational path through the vast terrain of Asia as you explore the largest continent in the world.  

You’ll navigate a variety of geographic areas as you experience Asia through the arts, the environment, government, literature, philosophy, religion, and more. 

From the highest point on earth at Mt. Everest to the lowest on the Dead Sea, you’ll emerge a thoughtful global citizen as you learn a new language and immerse yourself in international living, study, and research.

Program Offerings

  • Minor

Department

Learning Experiences to Prepare for Your Career

Our program doesn’t just encourage you to study Asia, we want you to experience Asia. You’ll gain language and communication skills while you develop your cultural knowledge with research and immersive abroad opportunities.

Research

Explore Asian topics further by conducting research on campus or abroad. You may even get to author your own award-winning paper like Taylor Armijo ’20 did. With the guidance of professor Grace Huang, Taylor wrote about the Chinese film industry and censorship during the reform era.

Study Abroad

Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs offered in more than 20 international locations, including China, India, Japan, and Thailand.

Short-Term Abroad Research Experiences

In addition to semester- and year-long programs, you’ll also have the chance to participate in short-term travel study trips with faculty members. 

You might even travel to India with a faculty member like professor Aswini Pai who has taken students to India to study medicinal plants, or professor Shinu Abraham who has taken students to India to study archaeology. 

Internships Abroad

Take advantage of our global network to gain experience in Asia. Students have completed internships with:

  • Asset Management Association of China
  • Beijing Normal University
  • China Everbright Bank
  • Chengdu Kanghua Development Center
  • Himalayan Roots to Fruits
  • Nepali Times
  • Youwei Library

Volunteer Abroad

You can also gain experience while making a difference through service work abroad with non-profit organizations: 

  • Bodh Shiksha Samiti- quality education for underprivileged children
  • Jaipur Foot Factor - the world’s largest producer of prosthetic below-the-waist limbs
  • International College for Girls - higher education for women 
  • Gram Vikas Navyuvak Mandal Laporiya - conservation and biodiversity conservation

Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that involve your interests including: 

  • Anthropology Club
  • Asian Students Intercultural Association
  • Chinese Student Association
  • Film Club
  • International House (I-House)
  • Literacy for Nepal
  • Model United Nations
  • Project Pengyou

Why St. Lawrence for Asian Studies

6

St. Lawrence students have won the New York Conference on Asian Studies Research Paper Prize

80%

of students study more than one discipline

17+

million miles of Asian terrain to explore

Laurentians in front of the Taj Mahal

65% of St. Lawrence students study off-campus

2/3

of the world's largest economies at your fingertips

Our recent graduates went on to work in industries such as:

  • Advertising
  • Consumer Goods
  • Education
  • Environmental Conservation
  • Finance
  • Government & Public Administration
  • Law

More Program Information

Program Requirements & Courses

Explore Asian studies minor requirements, as well as electives and combined study options.

Complementary and Related Programs

We offer three combined studies programs that allow you to pair your passion for Asian studies with another major area of study.

Students with an elephant

Experience Asia

Put your knowledge into action by taking advantage of our study abroad programs in Asia.

Explore Abroad Programs
Laurentians students celebrating Diwali

Celebrating Cultures

Chinese New Year, Diwali, and Holi are just three of several multicultural events our students, faculty, and staff organize and host for the campus and local communities each year.

Get More Information

We’re excited to learn more about you, tell you more about our interdisciplinary academic programs, show you around our beautiful campus, and help you navigate your college search.

Apply to St. Lawrence

We’re looking for curious students who are eager to make a difference. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all aspects of your application and what we learn about you.