Year in China
All students in the MA 120 Chinese Studies track will spend a year at Shandong University (Jinan, People’s Republic of China) as part of their Master’s program. Students prepare for their departure during semester 1, and stay at Shandong University to follow courses semester 2 and 3.
During their stay in China, students are expected to improve their Chinese language skills based on a combination of activities by pursuing Chinese language courses (at a level fitting their level of proficiency) and content courses in Chinese (where possible) and conducting research for their MA thesis using Chinese sources. The year in China also provides students with the unique opportunity to collect primary sources and conduct on-the-ground research for their MA thesis, demonstrating their fluency in Chinese, in-depth knowledge of China, as well as the ability to conduct original research in China.
As one of the primary goals of the China stay is to enhance Chinese language skills, students are required to earn 60 ECTS in Chinese language courses or other (content) courses taught in Chinese during their stay. Students should specify which courses they intend to follow during their stay in China by using the study plan (available on Brightspace), which outlines the courses a student plans to enroll in. Students must submit the form to the Year in China coordinator before they enroll, who will submit them to the Board of Examiners for approval.
The program to be followed in China will be registered as the Academic Year in China (a total of 60 EC – see Year in China A and Year in China B) on a pass/fail basis. For the program at Shandong University, students are required to submit the approved study plan form along with their transcript to the Board of Examiners via the Year in China coordinator, Zhaole Yang (z.yang@hum.leidenuniv.nl), after their return to Leiden.
Career Preparation
Career Preparation in the MA Asian Studies
In completing the MA in Asian studies, you will not only develop your knowledge and insight into the region, but will also develop skills which are relevant and useful for the job market and thereby enhance your ‘employability.’
'Employability' consists of the following aspects:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Shared transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example:
researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences in the field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, speaking with people in the field, and walking along/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Adding to these general skills, enrollment in the MA Asian studies means you will develop a critical understanding of the region, learn to work very independently in designing your thesis project and pursuing independent research using original sources, depending on your specialization, acquire fluency in one of the languages taught in the program, and are able to be empathetic and understand the world from more than your own perspective.
Job search related activities
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market.
On the program level, this includes:
The faculty and university also organizes a number of activities
Contact and further information
Humanities Career Service
The Humanities Career Service offers information and advice on internships, study (re)orientation and master's choice, orientation on the labour market and careers.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the Workshop calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Humanities career Service.
