Travel and Study Abroad

Many students have found overseas study and research to be a highlight of their educational experience. EAS fully embraces Harvard's commitment to making it possible for students to spend time abroad, and we actively work to provide opportunities and, in many cases, financial support to study and/or hold summer internships in East Asia. Students may apply for a summer, a semester, or a year of study overseas, and many of our students seek summer internships in Asia to broaden their knowledge of the region. The Office of International Education provides students with support to research and plan for their time abroad, and the Mignone Center for Career Success offers additional exciting ways to gain first-hand experience traveling internationally, while also providing funding for summer study abroad. Use the resources below to discover more about study abroad opportunities specific to East Asia. Students are advised to consult their Resident Dean, Mignone Center for Career Success and OIE advisers, the language programs, and the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the East Asian Studies program at the early stages of planning. 

• Getting Started
• Harvard Summer School Study Abroad
• EAS Travel Grants
• Other Travel Grants
• Internships

Additional Travel Resources (Harvard Global Support Services)

• China: Interdisciplinary Research in the Second-Most Populous Country
• Japan: Supporting Academic Activity and the Exchange of Ideas
• Travel Tools & Resources (general) from GSS (risk ratings, travel advice, pre-departure support, etc.)
   

Credit Transfer Process

Undergraduate students should consult the Office of International Education for instructions on how to apply for transfer credit for their coursework taken abroad. However, EAS has some policies specific to our department.

• As of 2026, students are no longer required to take a placement test on their return in order to receive credit for East Asian language courses taken abroad. However, the East Asian Language Program still encourages students to take placement tests to confirm whether their program abroad has sufficiently prepared them to advance to the next semester/year's course at Harvard.
• Language Citation credit will not be given for first-year language study. This includes the heritage track (Bx). In order to earn Language Citation credit for courses taken abroad, you must place out of courses at the second-year level or higher.
• However, students can still place out of the College's Language Requirement using first-year language study done abroad. Please contact the language program coordinator for further clarification if necessary, and to get your OIE paperwork signed.