Study Abroad Awards
Support for study abroad experience
Expand your study of Asia through immersive learning experiences beyond UB. The Asian Studies Program offers awards to help undergraduate and graduate students pursue study abroad and intensive language learning opportunities that deepen their academic and cultural understanding.
On this page:
We strive to make study abroad possible for as many UB students of Asian Studies as possible. Our program offers two study abroad awards:
- The Asian Studies Program Study Abroad award ranges from $500 to $1000 and is for undergraduate students who plan to study in Asia.
- Southeast Asian Summer Language Award provides funding for current UB undergrduate and graduate students to participate in summer language courses offered by the Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute.
Generous contributions from our alumni, faculty, and broad community of people interested in the study of Asia help to support study abroad in Asia. If you are a student, we encourage you to apply for one of our awards. If you would like to support UB students, please consider contributing to the award fund.
For additional study abroad funding opportunities, visit UB’s Education Abroad Scholarship page. You can also contact Megan Stewart, UB’s Fellowships and Scholarships advisor in the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships, for guidance on funding opportunities.
The 2026–2027 Study Abroad Award supports undergraduate study abroad in Asia during summer 2027, fall 2027, or Academic Year 2027–2028.
The awards will range between $500 and $1000. All UB undergraduate students who are studying abroad in Asia are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to students majoring or minoring in the Asian Studies Program.
Deadline
Application deadline is April 1, 2027
Accepting applications soon
We are not currently accepting applications. Please check again in late fall 2026.
- Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate at the University at Buffalo in good academic standing at the time of your application
- At the time of applying for this award, you must already have applied to a study abroad program in Asia through UB Education Abroad. Exceptions will be considered with prior approval from the Asian Studies Director.
- Foreign language study is a component of the program
- Participation in an established, credit-bearing study abroad or exchange program
- Preference shall be given to applicants who are studying abroad for the first time or who are studying in a country or region where they have not previously studied.
- Awards are based on academic merit and seriousness of purpose
- The applicant agrees to be an ambassador for Asian Studies at UB by sending occasional posts and photos of their experiences while in-country for use on the Asian Studies Program’s social media and website. The applicant must also be willing to talk with other students about their study abroad experience upon returning to UB.
Please submit the following 4 items:
1. The application form. This file can be found directly under the award's title.
2. A personal statement no longer than 3 pages double-spaced, 11 or 12 point font following the outline below:
- The program: Describe the program: what is the length of the program, the course of intended study, and the language focus? You may include a program info sheet or brochure as supporting paperwork if one exists.
- The language: What language training have you acquired prior to the study abroad program? What is your expected proficiency at the end of the study abroad program? What is your goal in learning this language?
- Academic purpose: Describe your academic reasons for selecting a particular program and explain in detail how the study abroad program will fit into your overall academic program and goals.
- Development: Describe how the program benefits your personal, academic, and professional development.
- Candidacy: Why are you a particularly strong candidate for this award?
3. One letter of recommendation from a professor or instructor who is familiar with your academic work and can speak to your interest in Asian Studies. The letter of recommendation must be emailed as an attachment directly from the professor.
4. A current copy of your unofficial transcript.
Current University at Buffalo undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for funding to attend summer language courses offered by the Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute in summer 2027.
SEASSI offers instruction in:
Burmese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Javanese, Khmer, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese.
Applications will be reviewed by faculty and staff of the UB Asian Studies Program. The award can reimburse documented living expenses incurred during the summer program; it does not provide tuition support. Students are strongly encouraged to apply for WISLI and/or SEASSI Tuition scholarships to help cover program costs. Awards for summer living expenses are anticipated to range from $1,000 to $1,500.
Accepting applications soon
We are not currently accepting applications. Please check again in late fall 2026.
- Be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at the University at Buffalo and be in good academic standing at the time of application.
- Have already applied to SEASSI at the time of application for this award. Applicants must submit documentation confirming that SEASSI has received their completed application.
- Be accepted into an appropriate Southeast Asian summer language program. Awards are contingent upon acceptance into the program.
- Academic merit and seriousness of purpose.
- The applicant's prior Asian Studies coursework and/or plans to enroll in additional Asia-related courses at UB.
- The applicant's plans for using the Southeast Asian language in their academic or professional work.
- A commitment to serve as an ambassador for Asian Studies at UB: Award recipients will be asked to share occasional posts and photos of their experiences for use on the Asian Studies Program’s social media and website. Recipients must also be willing to speak with other students about their experience upon returning to campus.
- A commitment to presenting a research project utilizing a Southeast Asian language at an Asia at Noon event the following academic year.
- External funding: Preference will be given to applicants who are able to demonstrate that they have already applied for WISLI and/or SEASSI Tuition scholarships.
Applicants should send the following materials in a single PDF file to Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu:
- Statement of purpose (one to two pages; approximately 750 words): Describe your academic reasons for selecting the program, how the language program fits into your overall academic and career goals and how participation will contribute to your development.
- Transcripts: Include scanned copies of your undergraduate and, where appropriate, graduate transcripts in the PDF.
- Confirmation from SEASSI: An email or scanned document indicating that SEASSI has received your completed summer language program application.
- Budget: Provide a simple budget outlining anticipated expenses and other sources of funding for which you have applied.
- Documentation of external scholarship applications (recommended): Applicants are encouraged to include documentation confirming submission of completed applications for WISLI and/or SEASSI tuition scholarships
- Two letters of recommendation: Recommenders should email their letters directly to Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu as attachments.
Please contact the Asian Studies Program at ubhis@buffalo.edu if you have any questions.