Anthropology Study Abroad Programs in Asia

Going to Bengaluru was an amazing time. I truly enjoyed the classes, the campus, and all of the inclusive cultural immersion that was included in my program. My program director was a great help at all times, and I truly consider him a great friend now. I wish I could have done an entire semester instead of just the summer program. It was a wonderful trip but it really felt too short!

My study abroad trip to Shanghai was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The city is full of energy, with an amazing mix of modern skyscrapers and rich cultural history. Every day felt like a new adventure, whether I was exploring local markets, trying authentic Chinese food, walking along the Bund, or visiting beautiful temples and gardens. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was experiencing a different culture firsthand and meeting people from around the world. It helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded. I also learned so much about China’s history, traditions, and daily life in a way that you simply can’t learn from a classroom.

Ashoka University has been an amazing place to learn and grow. As an International Relations student, I enjoyed interesting classes, learned from inspiring professors, and met people from different backgrounds. The experiences, friendships, and opportunities I found here have helped me grow both personally and academically, and I will always value my time at Ashoka.

Ashoka University has been an amazing place to learn and grow. As an International Relations student, I enjoyed interesting classes, learned from inspiring professors, and met people from different backgrounds. The experiences, friendships, and opportunities I found here have helped me grow both personally and academically, and I will always value my time at Ashoka.

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

My time at Ashoka University exposed me to diverse perspectives and broadened the way I think. The flexibility to choose courses across disciplines, combined with exceptional faculty, encouraged me to explore interests beyond my primary field of study and develop a wide range of skills. Beyond academics, campus life is vibrant and engaging. The student body and administration organize events almost every weekend, creating a lively and welcoming community. The campus also places a strong emphasis on safety, ensuring a secure environment for students. I would highly recommend Ashoka University to anyone looking for a world-class academic experience while immersing themselves in a vibrant and unique cultural environment.

Ashoka University has provided me with a stimulating academic environment and valuable learning opportunities. I appreciate the diverse community, diverse choice of courses and faculties available and the opportunity to participate in an international exchange programme. Overall, it has been a meaningful experience.

What I like most about Ashoka is the balance between academics and campus life. The university encourages you to think critically, explore new interests, and engage with people from diverse backgrounds. The professors are accessible, and there are many opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, research, and extracurricular activities. Overall, it's been a very enriching experience.

Ashoka University is a great place to come for a semester abroad. It offers a unique liberal arts education that encourages interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and close interaction with faculty. Beyond academics, its vibrant campus life, student-led clubs, and diverse community make it an enriching place to experience Indian culture while building lifelong friendships.

Ashoka University is a great choice for a semester abroad. The huge range of interdisciplinary courses makes it easy to try subjects outside your main field, which keeps academics interesting. Campus life is just as exciting, with guest speakers, cultural events, club activities, and something happening almost every day, so there's never a dull moment. The community is also one of the best parts—everyone is friendly, welcoming, and open to meeting new people. Overall, Ashoka offers a fun, engaging, and well-rounded experience that makes a semester abroad both memorable and rewarding.

I'm so glad I went to Nepal for my study abroad semester. As an international studies major with a focus in religious studies, it was a great place to combine these two interests. I learned a lot about the geopolitics of the region and the fascinating religious landscape there. The highlight of the program was our excursion to Upper Mustang. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and I had the opportunity to engage with women in several different villages, talking to them about their experiences with Buddhism. I don't think I'll ever have an experience like that again. It was also lovely to live with my host family and meet local students! They were all some of the kindest people I've met. I am also grateful for the opportunity I had in the final month of the program to intern/volunteer with a women's organization in Kathmandu. I received a warm welcome, learned about the experiences of women in Nepal, and got to know some amazing women who have been working to support women and their rights for decades. The semester was definitely not without its challenges (it's difficult to be in a place where you're clearly an outsider for so long, and I had my fair share of the classic stomach issues), but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

SIT Indonesia will have you taking planes, trains, automobiles, and boats around some (though certainly not all) of Indonesia's 17000 islands. You will have lectures outside, visit renowned universities and take classes from their professors, and meet students from colleges in both Bali and Java. Most of the learning, though, happens outside of the classroom. SIT is incredibly experience-driven. Meaning, you will learn about Indonesian culture, language, and history by going to dance performances, hiking to the tops of volcanoes, and wandering the streets on "drop-off" style scavenger hunts. That is not to say you will be overwhelmed or out of your depth; you will be supported by the (amazing!) staff and spend most of your time living with a host family in a Balinese village. This program is best for those who are motivated to step outside, meet new people, and connect with every person they meet and site they visit. Over my semester with SIT, I learned to be adaptable to any situation, to build connections quickly, and to engage anyone and everyone in conversation --- be it academic, ethnographic, or personal. It was incredibly worthwhile and genuinely the best part of my college experience

The student life at Ashoka alongside the curriculum which is in line with the latest happenings in the world makes it a standout institution in India. There are so many collaborative research opportunities that one will find themselves in. It's a vibrant community for a summer programme.

In my junior year, I had the opportunity to spend my fall semester studying in Tokyo with Middlebury College. Since I tested into the J5 level Japanese language class, I had the opportunity to take two classes with local students taught entirely in Japanese, challenging myself to not only comprehend lectures at a high language level but also communicate with my peers at a college level. Even though the campus was an hour away from Tokyo's center, the convenient public transportation made it very easy to go out into the city with friends. We even made outside of the prefecture to Saitama, Osaka, Tottori and more on breaks and weekends, exploring Japan while we could. I found that, through this program, we had a lot of space to immerse ourselves in Japan's vibrant and diverse culture and become a part of the city ourselves. Additionally, the program put an emphasis on sustainable development, which taught me how to be more environmentally aware and live sustainably. This instilled positive habits into my lifestyle, which I find myself still enforcing today even though I have returned to my home country. Overall, Middlebury's program gave me an amazing space to advance my Japanese language skills while exploring Tokyo as a city.

It was such an incredible opportunity to study at Ashoka. The faculty at Ashoka University is incredible and helpful. They're very approachable and help you navigate the academics. If you're thinking of doing a semester abroad, I'd say just go for it and apply to Ashoka University and make India your study abroad destination.

I had an amazing time during my semester at Ashoka. I was able to take very different courses from different disciplines and further explore my interests. The classes were also unique and interactive with a focus on critical thinking. Campus events are truly an experience, along with plenty of sports activities available to participate in. The top-notch infrastructure and residential campus meant that I didn't have to worry about accommodation at all. I am grateful to have had the chance to experience this and visit India. 10/10, would recommend.

Incredible faculty, facilities, and exposure. Truly a dream come true. People from all backgrounds, I got the chance to interact with. Incredible place, would suggest all! No regrets. Food was incredible too. The office of global affairs was great as well!

I enjoyed my study abroad program! I felt my time there allowed me to integrate into the culture to the point that I truly saw the local culture rather than what people see as a tourist. It showed me that I can adapt quickly to assimilate the customs of the community while also still retaining my independence and sense of self. Coming back to the U.S., I came back with a better understanding of my personal identity and how different practices around the world are similar and different to where I live. This program helped me see ways I can incorporate different cultural perspectives in my career advancement and knowledge. I highly recommend this program to people that want to challenge themselves!