South and Southeast Asian Studies

The Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

Advising Resources

Study Abroad Information on South & Southeast Asian Studies Website N/A

South & Southeast Asian Studies Advising Contact Information

Major-Specific Info

The Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies (SSEAS) encourages its students to add an international dimension to their education by participating in Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA). With proper academic planning, most students can have the experience of a lifetime with no loss of time in completing the degree.

BSA has programs in India as well as Southeast Asian centers in Thailand and Singapore. As the SSEAS department encompasses about a dozen different countries and teaches an equal number of languages, studying abroad would be an especially desirable element of your undergraduate education.

Why study abroad?

Get a taste of the culture you’ve been studying
Increase your language proficiency
Develop self-confidence and independence
Enhance résumés and applications for graduate school
Prepare for a career in a competitive world
A chance to experience your own cultural heritage

Returning students often describe their time on Berkeley Study Abroad as one of the most empowering and transformative experiences of their lives. Studying abroad can have a significant impact on identifying and attaining personal and career goals.

When can I study abroad?

While it is possible for SSEAS students to go abroad at almost any point in their academic career, the particular semester or year that you study abroad depends on what courses you plan to take.

Students interested in fulfilling major preparation and General Education requirements can participate as early as the sophomore year. Students wanting to fulfill upper-division major requirements should, in most cases, go abroad after having taken at least a couple of courses in the major here at Berkeley. There are no hard and fast rules on this – come in for a chat.

Transfer students are eligible to participate as soon as they arrive at Berkeley. Please note that application deadlines are quite early. For more information: http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu/transfer-students

Where can I study abroad?

While most of our students choose the programs from the region, this is not a requirement. Perhaps you’ll do what one student did and study Sanskrit in Scotland. Or maybe you’ll follow the example of another and go to Sweden. There were no Southeast Asian courses available to him, but since he had planned well, he had no difficulty completing both of his majors on time.

What classes can I take?

Courses must equal a minimum of three units of semester credit as approved by UCEAP.

Take courses of interest to you. We allow up to two courses to count toward the major. You can check the UCEAP Catalog to see courses that have been accepted by UC. You are not limited to courses that are already approved by UCEAP.

Please meet with the department advisor to determine what requirements you need to meet for your major. You can submit a request for course articulation online.

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

Yes, Berkeley Summer Abroad, Manila, Philippines: Narratives of Tradition and Resistance.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

Yes, SEASIAN 154.

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

Two courses outside of the department, or a maximum of 8 units.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

No. Please contact the department for advising.

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

No. Please contact the department for advising.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

Requests for course articulation can be made online. Please allow at least one month for a response.

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

Yes, if they are able to prepare research and rough draft during that semester.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes.

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

No.

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

Yes.

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

The Undergraduate Adviser can sign.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

Yes. Students who are abroad can do their advising via email or Zoom and have the hold cleared before their enrollment period begins or after. They will be notified the hold has been placed by email.

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

We support and encourage studying abroad. If students meet campus requirements for senior residency (check with an L&S advisor to confirm), they can take their final semester abroad.

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

No.

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

No.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?