Below you will find programs suggested by both CGIS & the Asian Languages and Cultures Department for students interested in pursuing courses abroad related to Asian cultures and languages. Please note that all LSA students receive in-residence credits when studying abroad through CGIS
Study Abroad courses that are often used for major and minor requirements. Students can easily fulfill their major and minor requirements through study abroad courses. For the Asian Studies major, most courses that focus on Asian Studies/Language can count.
If you are taking language courses, a placement exam will be required to continue the language study at U-M.
Process for approval: Students should consult with an Asian Languages and Cultures advisor to see how credits abroad might count towards a major or minor. If you've already studied abroad and you want to submit a course approval, please email the course description and syllabus to alc-advising@umich.edu. Check out this incomplete list of courses that major or minor students have participated in in the past. If you see a program that should be reflected on this list, please also email alc-advising@umich.edu. If you have not already studied abroad and you would like to see what courses would fit your program, please contact ALC Advising for an informal preapproval.
ALC Placement Exam FAQ
ALC Placement and Proficiency Tests
The following statements apply to Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
Students who take Chinese language courses (100-200 level) abroad won't be able to use those courses to get credit towards a Chinese language major or the Asian Languages and Cultures minor.
Students who take Chinese language courses (300 level or above) abroad are able to use those courses to get credit towards a Chinese language major or the Asian Languages and Cultures minor.
Credit earned from the Chinese language courses abroad could be used to count towards the general 120 credit requirement.
Students must take the ALC Language Placement and Proficiency Test upon return if they want to continue studying the language at UM.
Students can place out of UM required language classes by taking and passing the ALC Language Placement and Proficiency Test.
When are the ALC Language Placement and Proficiency Tests typically administered?
ALC Language Placement and Proficiency Tests are typically offered at four points during the year, January around the start of Winter term, March around Fall registration, August just before Fall term, and November around Winter registration.
If a student is abroad and would like to register for the next language course, but hasn't had the chance to take the ALC placement exam yet, how should they proceed? Who should they contact?
If a student is abroad and needing to enroll in the next level, they should contact the language director (listed on our website for each language program) - they can offer an ad hoc test and most can be accommodated online.
If a student isn't intending on doing a major or minor in ALC but would like to complete the UM language requirement by taking Chinese during study abroad, for example, would that student be able to use the language credits taken abroad to count towards the UM language requirement? Would they have to take a placement test upon return to UM?
A student should still take the ALC Language Placement and Proficiency Test if they are not intending to use the credits towards a major. The official placement will be put into their file as proof of proficiency for meeting the language requirement.
Contact: alc-advising@umich.edu is a good place to start if you have questions, or you can set up an advising appointment here.
Funding opportunities: Financial aid and scholarships are available for many programs and the LSA Study Abroad Scholarship is also available to all eligible LSA students.
Next Steps: Once you've spoken to an Asian Languages and Cultures advisor, attend a First Step session where you will learn general information about studying abroad through CGIS. Once you've attended a First Step session, you can schedule an appointment with a CGIS advisor who will be able to help you through the application process and can address any of your questions or concerns in relations to curriculum, navigating your identity, navigating through a specific country, and so much more! CGIS advisors also offer open advising throughout the week for quick questions you may have.
Asia-Pacific
- Chinese Studies in Shanghai
- Intensive Chinese Language in Beijing
- University Study in China - Fudan University
Japan
- Language and Culture in Hikone, Japan
- University Study in Japan - Hitotsubashi University
- University Study in Japan - Kyushu University
- University Study in Japan - Waseda University
Singapore
South Korea
- University Study in South Korea - Yonsei University
- Summer at Yonsei: Yonsei International Summer School
Taiwan
