Asia is booming. More than half of the world’s population lives on the vast continent. Around a quarter of the world’s national product is produced in countries such as China and India. This also increases the region’s political influence. The 21st century has already been declared the Asian century .
However, there is no uniform “Asia”. Each of the 50 or so Asian countries has its own story to show. The variety of landscapes, ethnic groups, cultures and religions is enormous. Many people do not live in glittering megacities, but in traditional villages. And despite economic growth, some regions are marked by poverty and political unrest.
Study the Asian culture, economy and language
If you want to understand Asia beyond all clichés and prejudices, you have the opportunity to take a course in regional science Asia. Asian studies courses impart language skills and knowledge from the fields of culture , economics , politics or religion .
Applicants should primarily be interested in Asia, especially the region to which their degree program is devoted. A certain talent for languages is also helpful when learning a completely different language. Previous knowledge of the Asian language is generally not expected, but applicants should have a good command of English in order to understand the specialist literature, some of which is in English.
Focus of studies
According to Topmbadirectory, many universities offer degree programs that focus on specific regions. These include, for example, Japanology or Tibetology . Other degree programs focus on specific subject areas, such as economics and politics in East Asia or Buddhism in South Asia. Degree programs with a broader range of content are, for example, East Asian Studies.
But even in these courses of study, the students specialize in a certain region or a certain topic in the higher semesters. Another option for giving the course a focus is to choose a minor. The possible combinations vary from university to university and range from subjects such as economics to linguistics .
In the bachelor’s degree
In the center of the Bachelor’s degree is almost always the language acquisition . Depending on the course of study, the students learn Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, Korean or another Asian language. In contrast to European languages, calligraphy, i.e. the art of writing, is also very important.
Depending on the orientation of the course, students also take courses in the fields of economics, politics, history , regional studies, religion or sociology . Accordingly, the seminars deal with topics as diverse as “body cult in Japan” or the “history of ideas in Islam”. In the higher semesters , students then specialize in certain regions and / or thematic fields.
In the master’s degree
Anyone who strives for management positions in business or an academic career in their later professional life should add a master’s degree to the bachelor’s degree. The master’s programs offer students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in certain subject areas even further. Most courses are very differentiated and deal with special areas such as Buddhism or the Chinese economy. Many of these programs are in English.
Perspectives for Asia experts
Since the Asian Studies subject does not provide training for a specific job, it is advisable to choose a minor that corresponds to the future career aspirations. In addition, students should complete internships during their studies in order to get to know various professional fields and gain practical experience.
Asian scholars are currently in demand in many areas. In the wake of the economic boom in Asia, many commercial enterprises are dependent on specialists with Asian language skills and cultural skills. Asia experts work, for example, in personnel management , in marketing or in the area of public relations for companies related to Asia.
Asia experts are also needed in politics, for example in the foreign service , as academic speakers or political advisors. In the cultural sector, Asian scholars find jobs in museums, publishers or in journalism , among others . You can also work as a translator. Other employers are international organizations, NGOs and foundations.
Study visit to Asia
A year abroad in Asia itself is compulsory for students of Asian Studies . Only on site can they gain a real insight into the culture of the respective country and consolidate their language skills. Master’s students can use a semester abroad to do research for their thesis.
The international contacts and intercultural skills that students acquire during a stay in Asia can also have a positive effect on starting their careers.
