Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Old Gil]

I'm really interested in northeast Asia; the history, the languages (esp. Chinese), and the potential for growth. I'm considering graduate school in NE Asian political economics, specifically the relations between ASEAN +3 (SE Asia + J,K,C) nations and the competition betweeen China Korea and Japan in establishing trade agreements both individually with ASEAN and with each other. Is anyone else interested in these issues? Do you know of any good graduate programs back in the states? I'll be returning in the next month. Most of the programs I've seen are Ivy League and I dont' think I have the credentials at the moment. If not, any books you would recommend on these issues? Thanks
OG

[.38 Special]

I don't know your history, so pardon me if you've all ready been down this road.

If you're interested in China you might move there and teach and study the language and culture. I don't know how many there are, but there are English language programs at some NE Asian universities.

Graduate programs might be hard to find due to demand. Have you considered checking Australia? They're somewhat closer to the action, so to speak. Singapore might also be worth a gander.

Here is a question of curiosity: What would you do with this degree? Or is it merely an entertainment/interest/hobby/passion? No big deal if it is -- my BA is in creative writing

[Old Gil]

[Panda]

Why don't you consider getting a master degree in China then?

It's hard to get into Ivy league, but it might not be that difficult to get into a top 10 university in China.

10 years later, the value of a diploma you get in China will be worth 10 times as its now.

You can just try writing emails to the professors in china or asking your professors back home to recommend and contact professors in China for you.(very often, there are communications between the US and China universities)

Also, choosing a major really depends on what you studied as an undergrate and what you are expecting to do in China later.

[Deep Thirteen]

Geez I could never get into political economy study too deeply. All that terminology used to turn my head.

What's your price range like Gunderson?

[mises]

http://www.gradbusiness.pdx.edu/graduate_business_programs/mim/the_mim_degree

Would be an interesting experience.

For IPE look at Fordham or the Colorado School of Mines. If you're looking to enter the labor force (not go to PhD) you need a program that is heavily quantitative. Heavily. Really, doing a masters degree in statistics and then seeking work in a research organization with your interests might be a more efficient route to 'study' NE Asian political economy.

[bucheon bum]

Yeah, I considered the Fordham program when I was applying to grad schools.

I ended up at UCSD's IR/PS instead. Susan Shirk, the main Chinese politics professor, is well-known. I don't know how she is as an instructor (she was on sabbitical my 2nd year), but her book on the Chinese political system is very good. Barry Naughton is the Chinese political economy professor. He's pretty good. Alas, the IR/PS chinese instructor doesn't have a good reputation.

As far as SEA goes, I really like the two professors that focus on that region (Malesky and Samphantharak). That being said, I don't think any of them have heavily studied the China-ASEAN connection.

One perk of IR/PS is your 2nd year tuition would be in-state, so that would save you some money. Of course with the budget crisis CA has been facing the last couple years, this might be changed sometime in the near future (although this has not been brought up by anyone in the state government).

And are you familiar with APSIA? Going to one of their fairs might be helpful for you.

Lastly, if you do end up going to grad school, I encourage you to look into the US gov't's PMF program. It is the best way to get a civil service job with the State Dept. and easier to find a position with the International Trade Administration (ITA). Well, it makes it easier to get a job with pretty much any federal gov't agency, but figured those two would be high on your list.

If you have any specific questions about IR/PS (or the PMF program for that matter), feel free to PM me.

[bucheon bum]

And yes, Mises is right: choose a program that is highly quantitative. Do NOT go to American or GWU unless you want to run up a ton of debt and be SOL when you graduate. IR/PS puts a high emphasis on quantitative (unless you decide to focus totally on politics), as does SAIS. I don't know about other IR programs though.

[Old Gil]

[Old Gil]