Co-Curricular Opportunities

To be eligible for funding, the experience must meet these guidelines:

• Be relevant to the Asian Studies degree program and provide professional experience.
• Be unpaid or low-paid (i.e., less than $3,000 over the summer).
• Have a minimum of eight weeks in duration, 20 hours or more per week.

You may also use the funding to enroll in an approved language immersion course.

• Inform the program of any changes in internship placement, such as host organization, location of work and/or duration of internship.
• Inform the program of any changes to your language immersion course.
• Submit a one-page report on your experience and attend a summer internship debrief in September.
• International students on F-1 or J-1 status should apply for the appropriate work authorization from the Office of Global Services.
• Students traveling abroad for internships or language study must comply with the University’s International Travel Policy by completing the International Travel Authorization application for Graduate Students.

• The stipend is a grant and may be taxable as income to students. According to the IRS notice 87-31, neither the grantor nor the educational institution is required, under section 6041, to file a return of information (W-2 or 1099 Misc) to IRS with respect to such stipend. It is the responsibility of the recipient to report taxable non-qualified fellowship or scholarship payments to the IRS. While Georgetown University will not report the stipend to the IRS or to the Recipient on a 1099, the income may be taxable to you depending on what you use the money for (tuition, books and required fees are typically tax-free). We suggest you consult the IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education and consult with a tax adviser.
• If you wish to travel to an Elevated Risk Region using a grant given by the university, additional review by the University’s International Travel Committee and the Provost is required. To initiate the process, please complete the International Travel Authorization application for Graduate Students. Documentation of granted permission from the university will need to be included with other documentation to make payment.

The new Director’s Award for Science, Technology and Asia recognizes students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement and professional potential in the field of science and technology, particularly as it relates to the study of Asia. The winner is announced annually by the Director of Asian Studies based on the recommendation of the Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA) faculty committee in the School of Foreign Service. Established in 2017, this award seeks to underscore the growing importance of science and technology in understanding Asian security, diplomacy and policy approaches. Please note this award is not open to application.

The Joseph S. Sebes, S.J. Medal in Asian Studies is awarded annually by the Asian Studies Faculty Committee to an undergraduate recipient of the Asian Studies Certificate who combines excellence in the study of Asia with the dedication to the advancement of understanding of Asian affairs that characterized the career of Joseph S. Sebes, S.J. (1915-1990), Professor of History and Dean of the School of Foreign Service—awarded during SFS Tropaia. Please note this award is not open to application.

The John W. Witek, S.J. Prize in Japanese Studies was founded in memory of Father John Witek, a historian of the Jesuit missions in East Asia and Japanese history. The prize honors a graduating undergraduate senior who has written the best paper in any field on Japan and includes a $300 cash prize.

The Donald S. Macdonald Prize in Korean Studies provides $300 for the best paper on Korea written by a Georgetown undergraduate (in any college or school) during the academic year. Papers written for any course are welcome. Students not specializing in Korean studies are encouraged to compete. Faculty members may submit papers on behalf of their students.

The Barkanic Award was founded in memory of Georgetown alumnus Peter Patrick Barkanic (SFS’80). The award provides financial support of up to $1,000 for living and/or travel expenses for an undergraduate or graduate student participating in an internship or language study program in Asia.

The Henry Chen Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually by the Georgetown University Asian Studies Faculty to a student who exemplifies the qualities and ideals to which Professor Chen’s life was devoted. The $500 scholarship supports the overseas study of the Chinese language and culture.

The Oh Award is awarded annually by the Georgetown University Asian Studies Faculty to an undergraduate student to support overseas study of Korean language and culture or other activities related to Korean Studies, including internships and service. The “Oh Award” includes a cash prize up to $1,000 and is open to students from the School of Foreign Service and the College who have an interest in pursuing activities related to Korean Studies.