Off-Campus Studies can help South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies students…

  • Improve foreign language skills
  • Gain awareness of the major discipline from a different scholarly tradition
  • Develop a global perspective
  • Gain research skills from field studies or work with primary sources
  • Expand cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
  • Prepare for an increasingly diverse and international workplace

How does a semester or year of OCS help students in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies prepare for graduate school or various career opportunities?  

  • Develop language skills
  • Build networks abroad and a foundation for post-graduate opportunities, such as Fulbright and other grants and fellowships
  • Provide opportunities for depth and breadth of study beyond what is available locally and develop cross-cultural communication skills

As a general rule of thumb, the South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Department recommends the following for students who wish to study off campus.

  • Prior to choosing a program students should consult with an SAMES advisor to determine their concentration in the major.
  • While students are not required to study abroad, it is highly encouraged.
  • South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies majors may opt to study abroad in the fall semester, spring semester, or for the full academic year in consultation with their major adviser.

Which requirements can South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies majors fulfill while off campus?

  • Elective major credit
  • Preliminary research for Senior Integrative Essay
  • General Studies distribution credit
  • General degree credit
  • Possibly language credit
  • Possibly one class for the concentration

Major Credit Limitations

  • The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 12 credits with the approval of your major adviser.
  • Be aware that language courses and other courses transferred from U.S. institutions toward the major requirements are counted in the 12 credit limit.

What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies department?

  • Enroll at a study center for U.S./international students
  • Field study programs with opportunities to engage in research with the local community
  • Programs that offer an opportunity for independent study research
  • Programs that offer an opportunity for an internship or experiential learning embedded in an academic course as part of the program

Which Partner Programs are recommended by the South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies department?

SAMES majors may opt to study in one of the following locations for linguistic immersion in Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Nepali or Bahasa Indonesian and to broaden their knowledge of South Asia or the Middle East through first-hand experience and area studies courses.

  • CIEE: Amman Middle East Studies | Jordan
  • Hebrew University (Rothberg International School) | Israel
  • SIT: India Sustainable Development and Social Change | Jaipur
  • SIT: Indonesia Arts, Religion, and Social Change | Bali
  • SIT: Morocco Migration and Transnational Identity | Rabat
  • SIT: Nepal Development, Gender, and Social Change in the Himalaya | Kathmandu

Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.