Asian studies in the USA: Where to study?

I'm interested in Asian culture and history, and I want to study this in college. Which U.S. universities offer strong Asian studies programs, and what career options might this lead to?

Many universities in the U.S. offer strong programs in Asian studies. These include but are not limited to Columbia University, University of California Berkeley, Stanford University, Harvard University, and Yale University.

Columbia University has a prominent East Asian Languages and Cultures department that offers courses on the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea. UC Berkeley, on the other hand, has an Asian studies department that houses programs in South and Southeast Asian studies, along with East Asian languages and cultures.

Stanford's Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures is also highly respected. Harvard is known for its Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, and the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, among other specialized centers. Similarly, Yale has the Council on East Asian Studies and the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures which offer a wide range of courses focusing on different Asian regions and cultures.

A degree in Asian Studies can open up a myriad of career opportunities, depending on the specific area of study. Some students go on to work in fields such as academia, business, government, diplomacy, NGO/non-profits, journalism, and translation services. A solid understanding of an Asian culture, as well as fluency in an Asian language, can be beneficial in our globalized world and can give you a competitive edge in many sectors.

However, it's important to note that the best program varies by person and depends on your interests, career goals, and the specific area of Asia you would like to study. Always research the specific programs at each institution to determine the best fit for you.