About the Center for Southeast Asian Studies
The Center for Southeast Asian Studies at NIU is dedicated to increasing the world's knowledge and understanding of Southeast Asia's 11 countries through academic endeavor and public outreach.
Established in 1963, CSEAS grew out of one of the first Peace Corps training programs for Southeast Asia volunteers. Since 1997, CSEAS has been designated a U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center, the only such center on campus. As such, it offers funding for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as program funding for community outreach, K-16 teacher training and faculty support. CSEAS also actively partners with U.S. government departments, international entities and other organizations on academic and youth leadership training programs.
Under the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, CSEAS is guided by program staff and an interdisciplinary council of faculty associates. If you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate minor in Southeast Asian studies or a Southeast Asia-focused graduate certificate, CSEAS offers:
- Fellowship and scholarship opportunities
- Language training in Burmese, Indonesian, Khmer, Tagalog and Thai
- Research in a variety of disciplines
- Cultural and networking activities
- Study abroad in Southeast Asia
Title VI National Resource Center
CSEAS received its most recent National Resource Center Title VI grant in 2018, including funding for Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships. The four-year grant, the sixth received by CSEAS, runs through August 2022.
NIU Connections
Southeast Asian studies at NIU is strengthened by CSEAS's links to these NIU resources:
