Skip to main content
more options


Tuition and Travel Awards for Undergraduates

Asian studies has two types of award opportunities for undergraduate students taking Asian language courses.

FALCON Intensive Mandarin Chinese and Japanese Tuition Award Competition:

(Full-Year Asian Language CONcentration)

Undergraduate students enrolled in the academic year session of the Chinese or Japanese FALCON program can apply for an award to cover a portion of the tuition for the spring semester. For further information, visit the FALCON website.

Undergraduate Asian Studies Summer Travel Awards

Undergraduate students enrolled in an Asian language course who are interested in the society and culture of that country can apply for an Asian Studies Summer Travel Award. This award would provide funding for travel and living expenses to an Asian country during the summer break. Applications are due in early February. Decisions are made before Spring break, to allow students to plan accordingly.

Students receiving awards are responsible for managing all aspects of their trip including:

  • making their own travel itinerary
  • arranging travel and accommodations
  • mangaging their own budgets

At the end of the summer recipients must provide documentation of travel and submit a 10-page report summarizing the summer language and cultural experiences. Students may be asked to give a short presentation of their experience at the Fall 2009 Asian Studies Informational Meeting.

Applicants may be from any college or major but priority will be given to students who have completed 2 years of language work in the relevant language prior to the intended travel; must be enrolled at Cornell in the semester following travel; and have no prior travel experience in the area of travel. A strong cumulative GPA and the strength of the applicant's project in terms of its plausibility and the appropriateness of the proposed budget will also be considered.

Applicants must complete an application form, and provide the following:
  • a statement regarding plans for summer travel
  • an estimated budget
  • a transcript
  • list of courses that are currently being taken

Frequently Asked Questions for the Summer 2009 Travel Awards.

To apply for a Summer Travel Award, or to ask for more information, contact Erin Knuutila, Department of Asian Studies, 350 Rockefeller Hall, e-mail elk38@cornell.edu

Also -- see what Summer 2007 and Summer 2006 recipients had to say about their experiences in Asia!