The vast continent of Asia is home to the majority of the world’s population and to cultures with an ancient past and a vibrant present. The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, an internationally renowned center for the exploration of the humanities of Asia, invites students to cross the boundaries of nations and disciplines to explore the literature, film, language, religion, music, art, and history of this critical region. We encourage our students to develop two vital qualities: deep local knowledge and broad global perspectives. The department offers instruction in the cultures and languages of Asia (including Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Javanese, Korean, Mongolian, Pali, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Thai, Tibetan, Urdu, and Vietnamese) so that our students may be enriched by the treasures of the past and participate in the exchanges of the future.
Your Gifts at Work
“Obtaining a degree from ALC has allowed me to not only perfect my Chinese language abilities, but has also provided me with the strongest knowledge foundation possible in order to graduate and move into the world as a developing expert on China. My undergraduate experiences in ALC greatly assisted in not only preparing me for a rigorous graduate course of study, but also providing me with the means to be accepted into a prestigious MA program in the first place. As I graduate and move on in my career, I will undoubtedly continue to carry with me the wisdom and teachings of the faculty and staff from ALC.”—Emily Weinstein, A.B. ’17
"My experience here at Asian Languages and Cultures was accentuated by the numerous opportunities for academic growth in my field owing to the diversity of courses offered, including the ability to study Classical Japanese, a requirement for other top programs around the country. I can look back gratefully that I was able to acquire such a strong foundation for my studies at a great public university such as the University of Michigan and hope to one day offer my own contributions to the field." —Zari Smith, B.A. (Honors) ’20
Giving Opportunities
The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures is among the top area studies programs in the nation. Investing in the strategic fund helps us continue our tradition of excellence. Gifts make it possible to enhance the research and training of our undergraduate and graduate students, and to recruit, retain and support our faculty. The strategic fund also provides resources for emerging initiatives, including lecture series, conferences, and innovative, engaged learning in the classroom.
ALC Graduate Student Research Fund
This fund supports undergraduate research experiences, which is a major cornerstone of our curriculum, helping our talented students compete for elite graduate programs and jobs in their field.
ALC Undergraduate Research Fund
Contributions to this fund provide graduate students with fellowships and funding for research and other student related activities.
For more information, please contact Tricia Chiado: alc-chiefadmin@umich.edu
Thank you for supporting Asian Languages and Cultures!
