Asia Term
Why Asia Term?
Asia is rich in culture and history and offers a magnificent backdrop for students wishing to gain a new perspective of the world. Students have the freedom to explore a world away from their own while maintaining the benefits of a liberal arts education. The program affords students the chance to travel, to discover new cultures, and to take courses in Southeast Asia while providing the necessary tools to provoke thoughtful insight into one’s own understanding of the world.
Join us for an unforgettable semester in Southeast Asia in Spring 2026!
Coe Asia Term
Asia Term, a semester-long program, first offered during Spring Term 2007, gives students an intensive look at Southeast Asian history and cultures, particularly those in Thailand and Vietnam. Students accepted into the program will travel to Southeast Asia with one or more Coe faculty members. They will formally study language, history and culture in Thailand and Vietnam, will visit area attractions, and will be immersed in the cultures of the countries visited.
Thailand
Students will spend about one month in Thailand. A Thai language and culture course, taught by native Thai instructors, will be taken through Chiang Mai University. Students will live in a guest house in the Old City of Chiang Mai, providing convenient access to transportation, food, entertainment and culture. The month in Thailand includes visits to Sukothai and various other historic and cultural sites.
Vietnam
Students will spend about two months in Vietnam, taking a language course and working with fast-track English language students at Vietnam National University in Hanoi. These Vietnamese students will serve as conversation partners and tour guides, leading visits to a variety of sites in and around Hanoi. Housing in Hanoi’s Old Quarter provides easy access to cultural activities, traditional Vietnamese food and shopping. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a short-term home stay with a host family in Hanoi. Travels in Vietnam include HaLong Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and a trip along the coast to Hoi An.
Cambodia
In addition to extended stays in Thailand and Vietnam, students will also travel to Cambodia where they will visit Siem Reap and some of the surrounding ancient temples including Angkor Wat (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as the Eighth Wonder of the World).
Program Costs
Students participating in Asia Term will pay regular Coe tuition and room and board fees to Coe. An additional Asia Term program fee of $3,000 will be used to cover airfare and other program costs. Students are responsible for pre-departure expenses, such as any passport and medical fees, and once abroad, for personal purchases, such as snacks, some meals, personal travel, uninsured medical expenses and souvenirs. A modest weekly allowance will help students with the cost of some of their meals. (Breakfasts are usually included with the housing arrangements.)
Because Asia Term is a Coe program, students’ existing scholarships and loans can be used toward tuition, room and board, and often some of the program fees. Students taking Asia Term will earn four Coe course credits. These will typically include a combination of credits for Asian tonal languages, Southeast Asian culture and history, Asian studies and an independent study. Courses will be graded on an A-F scale. Students seeking departmental credit toward a specific major or minor must get approval from the department chair or program advisor in that department or program beforehand.
General Education
Asia Term courses will fulfill some of Coe’s general education requirements and can also be applied toward an Asian Studies major or minor. In addition, the program satisfies the practicum requirement for graduation.
Asia Term Spring 2026
For more information about Asia Term or to apply to participate in Asia Term, contact David Nordmann (Email: dnordman@coe.edu), Asia Term Program Director; Pam Carstens (Email: pcarsten@coe.edu), Asia Term Co-Director; or John Chaimov (Email: jchaimov@coe.edu), Director of Off-Campus Study.
Dates: January-April
Enrollment: 10-14 students
Students from all majors are welcome to apply to participate.
