For specific information related to your program or area of interest

Including how to apply, please visit the following pages:

Undergraduate Programs Information

Major or minor in Asian Studies.

Graduate Programs Information

Including: Master of Arts in Asian Studies, Master’s in Asian International Affairs, and Graduate Certificates in Asian Studies.

Courses in Asian Studies Information

Important Forms for Students (Links and Downloads)

Student Testimonials

Christina Geisse

The Asian Studies Program was incredible because most professors were undertaking their own research, passionate about their subject of study, and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with students. It felt fresh and profound at the same time. Inspiring! 

Christina Geisse
Kim Sluchansky

I was able to delve deep and focus on the areas of Asian Studies that truly interested me, and therefore gained a much more thorough and developed understanding of my fields of interest, which are applicable to my current career path. Also, the professors are extremely helpful and want their students to succeed. They were very supportive both while I was at UH and after I graduated.

Blog

From Air Force Academy to Indo-Pacific Expert: Alex’s MAIA Student Journey- October 21, 2024

Meet Alex, dedicated student of our MAIA program who brings a wealth of experience from the military to the classroom!

Education Journey: After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy with a BS in Foreign Area Studies and a minor in Spanish, Alex set her sights on broadening her global perspective. Despite her undergraduate focus on Latin America, Alex recognized the vital importance of the Indo-Pacific region to US economic, political, and strategic interests. This realization led her to the Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) Program, marking the beginning of an enlightening academic journey.

Capstone Project: As part of her capstone project, Alex is exploring the intersection of her future military duties with Indo-Pacific dynamics. Her research delves into how key NATO allies’ interests align with US objectives in the region. “A lot of my research in the MAIA program has been US-centric,” Alex explains, “so it has been really interesting to learn about various European perspectives.”

Experience: One of the highlights of Alex’s MAIA experience has been the opportunity to engage with real-world foreign policy environments. Last summer, she interned at the prestigious Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). There, Alex played a crucial role in facilitating the Comprehensive Security Cooperation Course, which brought together military and government officials from over 45 countries. This experience proved transformative for Alex. “Hearing the diverse perspectives and interests of our partner nations has fundamentally changed the way I view Indo-Pacific regional dynamics,” she reflects. The internship provided Alex with invaluable insights into the complex interplay of interests and challenges in the region.

Future Career: For Alex, graduate school represents her first assignment on active duty. “The MAIA program has actually had a profound impact on my future military career and how I see the world around me,” she shares. Alex particularly values the perspectives offered by classmates from the Indo-Pacific region, gaining deep insights into various cultures, political environments, and shared security challenges.

As she continues her studies and prepares for future military service, Alex exemplifies the power of education in shaping global understanding and fostering international cooperation. Her journey from the Air Force Academy to becoming an emerging expert in Indo-Pacific affairs showcases the transformative potential of programs like MAIA in preparing the next generation of global leaders.

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