Planning to go to Asia after Graduation?

"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”

- Vincent Van Gogh

As each day passes and I'm one more day closer to graduation, I think about what I should be doing now to plan for my future after Duke. Job? Graduate school? Fellowship? Then I remember that I really want to take a year or two off to do something cool and participate in a program, and then eventually go into graduate school, but I consequently fall into a little panic because November is the month when many of those dates are due. So currently I'm in the state of applying to many programs, so if any of you see me looking harried and distracted it's probably because I have to photocopy a million documents and need to postmark something or edit (or begin drafting) a personal statement.

Because this is for Duke East Asia Nexus - I thought this post would be helpful for anyone but for anyone who is considering applying for programs in Asia for the future. Hopefully this post will give you a heads up for what's out there (and you can plan much better than I have!). For anyone who has done this already or is currently in the process of applying like me, please reply to this post if you have any other programs you want to add, with the link for the related organization's website.

*Disclaimer: Any comments posted here do not represent these programs or the organizations that administer them. I am merely passing on some general notes that I have picked up informally from previous applicants and advisors here at Duke.

• Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Website: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Fulbright-US-Student-Program

Duke Website: http://www.aas.duke.edu/ousf/postgrad/grad/fulbright.php/

Deadline (Duke): Late August/Early September. National has later deadline.

Typical applicant: Undergraduate senior

Notes: It's a great program for both doing your own research project (can be in almost any field you can imagine) in a foreign country. You can also apply a fellowship to specifically teach English in a foreign country. Also make sure to check with each country's specific guidelines for the Fulbright application, as they will be different from each other. My advice is to start thinking about your project second semester Junior year, and start emailing people who can be your academic mentor/sponsor for your project. Also go to information sessions that Duke hold about the Fulbright early. Fulbright has campus representatives, so you can learn more through them. Get on the listserv for post-grad scholarships. Most applicants are seniors who are about to graduate (and they would apply through their undergraduate institution - you have to undergo a selection process at Duke), but it's possible to apply after graduation.

• Hart Fellows Program

Website: http://www.hart.sanford.duke.edu/hart-fellows/

Deadline: February

Typical applicant: *Duke recent graduates (i.e. current seniors, I believe). I'm a little unclear on this.

Notes: 10 month program. Three fellows have been accepted every year. Placement is worked out with the program. The program appears focuses on strong community engagement, and fellows work on a project in collaboration with the community. The website has really good information on what past and current fellows have worked on.

• China Education Initiative

Website: http://www.chinaeducationinitiative.org/

Deadline: Early admissions (later October), Fall Admissions (Early to Mid November), Spring Admissions (Early to mid March). Special Deadline for West coast applicants.

Typical applicant: Recent graduates, U.S. and China

Notes: The fellowship is a 2 year commitment. Fellows are placed in schools in the Yunnan province of China. Fellows are from both U.S. and Chinese institutions, and they work in teams composed of fellows from both countries. The email for our campus representative is: duke@chinaeducationinitiative.org.

• Princeton in Asia

Website: http://piaweb.princeton.edu/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Deadline: Late November/Early December

Typical applicant: Very diverse. Will depend on which fellowship you're interested in.

Notes: I think it's a 1 year program, but I need to confirm. There are lots of diverse fellowships and placements available through this program. Countries include Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, Phillipines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Mongolia, and many more. Accommodations appear to depend on your placement.

• Jet Program

Japanese Website: http://www.jetprogramme.org/index.html

US Website: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/index.html

Deadline: Mid to late November

Typical applicant: You should check eligibility (there's a specific age range) on the website, but I know recent graduates people with higher degrees can apply. Applicants should be interested in Japan, teaching english, and participating in cultural exchange.

Notes: 1 year program. Japanese language is helpful but not necessary. I hear ther's lots of opportunities to learn about Japan and to visit various areas in the country during vacation time.