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Skidmore College
International Affairs Program

Study Abroad/Internships in Asia

AYC is designed for college educated, open-minded people seeking to expand their horizons and enhance their careers. Any native English-speaking degree holder is welcome to apply. Spanning one academic year, AYC is designed to enrich career development and personal growth. Immerse yourself in the heart of Chinese society; improve your competitiveness in job applications in China, at home and around the world; learn Mandarin – an asset in business, government and non-profit organizations. What you learn in China can also enhance academic opportunities at graduate schools upon your return. In addition, you will have the ability to travel and experience the vibrancy of China, with plenty of holiday time.


The Beijing program offers two distinct tracks: Beijing Language Studies and Beijing Area Studies. Both tracks give participants the chance to study Mandarin, Chinese culture and history, and contemporary issues in Chinese society. The Beijing Language Studies program requires one year of Mandarin, while the Beijing Area Studies program has no language pre-requisite.

Students take classes at the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) at its Beijing Center, located on the campus of Beijing Foreign Studies University (Beijing Waiguoyu Daxue). Popularly known as Bei Wai, this university is one of Beijing's most highly regarded academic institutions. Skidmore's Beijing Program is a field-centered, interdisciplinary study abroad program with the goal of immersing students in the Chinese culture. The program goes beyond the traditional classroom model by emphasizing the creative integration of field-based and classroom learning. Students will investigate and learn about real Chinese lives by conducting directed field-research projects or participating in internships.

This is a great time for American students to study Chinese business, commerce, and globalization in this great city of China. As China's business center, Shanghai offers you a unique opportunity to eyewitness and experience the dynamics of this fastest growing country in the world. The program features opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in the country without necessarily having the language background. This program can accommodate all language levels!

Skidmore in China - Shanghai offers two interdisciplinary programs in Business Studies (in collaboration with IES and the Shanghai University of Finance & Economics - SUFE) and 21st Century China (in collaboration with IES and Fudan University). Besides taking courses in Chinese language, business, economics and history, students can participate in field trips and have the option of completing a for-credit internship. Field trips and excursions may include visiting Taipei in Taiwan and opportunities for other program-sponsored excursions in and around the city abound. Come to Shanghai to see and experience China! We are waiting for you!

International development and internships are a focus of this program, which takes place in India, cradle of one of the oldest and most influential civilizations on earth and an astoundingly complex nation. You'll also contribute through an internship or research project with a non-profit organization while you are there. Explore the complexities created by issues such as environment, globalization, public health and social justice

After emerging from decades of war and isolation, Vietnam today is experiencing tremendous growth and, over the last decade, has boasted one of the strongest economies in Asia. Concurrent with this growth, the country has been wrestling with critical issues such as sustainable resource management, intense urbanization, changing family and marriage patterns, and integration with global networks and institutions.

Students in the Vietnam: Culture, Social Change, and Development program examine these trends firsthand. Through interdisciplinary coursework, field study, and complementary educational excursions led by academic and community experts, students learn about Vietnam's history, social characteristics, and recent economic development trends.  Intensive language study, learning activities with Vietnamese peers, and a meaningful homestay further facilitate deep cultural immersion and cross cultural learning.

ProWorld offers one- to six-month long internship placements in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We provide students and recent graduates with hands-on internships in key functional areas such as education and teaching, clinical/public health and environment management, as well as institutional areas like microfinance, community development, journalism and NGO management. ProWorld participants gain work experience within the context of international development and our program has improved the lives of thousands of community members worldwide. Join the ProWorld team and make a difference in the lives of others!