Asian Studies Center at Michigan State University

10/19/2026

Global Spartans, it’s time! Global Focus 2026 is officially here!

Share your best shots from your travels abroad for this year’s Global Focus Photo Contest.

MSU students, scholars, faculty, staff, retirees and alumni are invited to submit original photos taken outside the U.S across several categories, including Spartan Pride and Best Story Behind the Photo.

Have a photo that captures an unforgettable place, moment or experience? We want to see it! 📸

Submissions are open Oct. 1-31. Head to isp.msu.edu/globalfocus to learn more and submit your photos.

10/19/2026

The MSU Chinese Learning Community will be hosting "Ghost Night” for this year’s Halloween season 🎃 👻

The event will be hosted on Thursday, October 29th, Wells Hall, Room A218 @6:00 - 7:00pm

RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/3j9y2s2u

Stop by for a fun spooky night 💀🎃🤖 🤠

10/18/2026

Want to visit Japan? 🇯🇵

Stop by at the info session on Wednesday, October 21 at noon to learn more about the MSU’s exchange programs with Waseda University in Tokyo and the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa.

Students can learn about opportunities to earn academic credit while living and studying in Japan. Waseda University is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious universities, while the University of the Ryukyus welcomes students of all Japanese language proficiency levels, including beginners with no prior experience. Students interested in studying abroad in Japan are encouraged to attend and learn more about these exchange opportunities.

10/16/2026

Travel the Globe in an Evening: Sample a Language! 🌍

Join us for a fun and interactive celebration of languages and cultures from around the world as part of International Education Week!

📅 Monday, November 16, 2026
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM

Explore languages and cultures from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Kenya, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, Vietnam, and more!

Pick up your Language Passport, visit cultural stations, learn new phrases, discover fun facts, and collect stamps along the way!

Whether you’re curious about learning a new language or exploring different cultures, this is a great opportunity to experience the world in just one evening!

10/16/2026

Learn more about upcoming events on campus, funding opportunities, conferences, study abroad programs, language resources, and more through our bi-weekly newsletter:

This presentation mainly introduces the current situation of the research on ancient Chinese characters in terms of integrating and utilizing artificial intelligence technology, with a special focus on the work and achievements of the "Artificial Intelligence Laboratory for Ancient Characters and Ar...

10/14/2026

Join us on Friday, November 13, for an inspiring conversation with Mr. Leth Oun, author of "A Refugee’s American Dream: From the Killing Fields of Cambodia to the U.S. Secret Service"

From surviving the Cambodian genocide and years in refugee camps to becoming the first Cambodian American to serve as a U.S. Secret Service officer protecting four U.S. presidents, Leth Oun will share his extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and perseverance.

📅 Friday, November 13, 2026
🕚 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM
📍 MSU Union, Room 50

This public event is co-sponsored by the MSU Asian Studies Center and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (MSU HDFS).

We hope to see many of you at the talk!

10/13/2026

We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Shao-Chang Lee Undergraduate Scholarship and Best Paper Award (open to both graduates & undergraduates) for AY 2026-27.

📌S.C. Lee Undergraduate Scholarship deadline: December 5, 2026
📌S.C. Lee Best Paper Award deadline: January 5, 2027

Visit here to learn more and apply: https://tinyurl.com/SCLeeAwards

10/10/2026

Last Saturday, October 3, we co-hosted the 31st Global Korea Awards with The Council on Korean Studies at MSU, honoring two accomplished scholars: Dr. Elizabeth Son of Northwestern University and Dr. Ji-Yeon Jo of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The awards recognized their significant contributions to cross-cultural understanding, global education, and the well-being of Korean communities in the United States and around the world.

Our sincere thanks to the CKS board members and students whose dedication and hard work helped make this annual event a success. We are grateful for the time, care, and support you brought to the celebration.

Thank you also to our friends and colleagues who spent their Saturday morning with us honoring this year’s award recipients. We hope you enjoyed the food, conversations, and company as much as we did!

10/10/2026

Discover the art of Korean calligraphy! 🖌️ Join calligraphy specialist Pastor Byungman Park for a hands-on workshop.

📅 Monday, October 12
🕔 5–6 PM
📍 Wells Hall B106

Only 25 spots available—scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve yours!

10/09/2026

A belated look back at our annual Fall Reception, co-hosted with Asia Hub on September 23. After a busy few weeks, we’re pleased to share highlights from an evening that brought together over 100 faculty, students, and friends from across campus and beyond to catch up, exchange ideas, and make new connections. We wish everyone a successful new academic year!

We also celebrated the retirement of our dear colleague, Julia Grimm, after twenty plus years of dedicated service to the university. Thank you, Julia, for your many contributions and for being such a valued colleague. We’ll miss working with you and wish you all the best in retirement!

We hope you enjoyed the food and the company. Go Green 💚