THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Asian International Relations Seminar
Each year CIR takes a group of students, chosen through a competitive application process, with faculty to a part of Asia over spring break to meet policymakers, journalists, analysts, scholars, and others who offer insight into IR in a crucial part of the world.
The seminar was first launched in the fall of 2015 as the Delhi Seminar, with the inaugural trip taken in spring 2016 to India, followed by trips back to the country in 2017 and 2019. In 2023, and again in 2024, seminar participants traveled to Taiwan for an immersive experience carefully designed not just by CIR faculty, but by the students themselves.
Participants of the 2024 seminar visited Taiwan, with stops at Academia Sinica, Tsing Hua National University's new Taipei School of Economics and Political Science, TVBS News and more.
2024 Itinerary - At a Glance
Day 1:
National Taiwan University - Meet and Greet, Lunch on Campus
Hosts: Dr. Min-Hua Huang, Chair of Political Science; Dr. Chang-Ling Huang, Director of Global Asia
American Institute of Taiwan
Hosts: Richard Jao, Political Chief; Jordan Land, Political Officer; John Morgan, Consular Chief
Day 2:
Academia Sinica - Seminars and Museum Tour
Hosts: Dr. Chien-Huei Wu; Dr. Ku-ming (Kevin Chang); Dr. Wen Liu; Dr. James Lee; Dr. Wen-Chin Wu; Dr. Christina Lai
Day 3:
National Tsing Hua University, Taipei School of Economics and Political Science
Hosts: Dr. Tain-Jy Chen; Dr. Chung-Min Tsai
Day 4:
National Sun Yat-sen University, Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies
Host: Dr. Yujen Kuo, Director
Day 5:
Explore the city - various optional tours
Day 6:
UChicago Alumni Club of Taiwan
Hosts: Christina Liu, Alumni Club President; Ian Chen, Alumni Club Secretary General
Day 7:
Discussion with Journalists
Hosts: Joyu Wang, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal; William Yang, Freelance Journalist, Voice of America
Institute for National Policy Research
Host: Dr. Yujen Kuo, Vice President
Cheng Kai Shek Memorial Hall Tour
Day 8:
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
Host: Judy Chang, Secretariat Office at INDSR
National Chengchi University
Host: Dr. Lev Nachman
TVBS News Station
Host: Monica Jiang, Asst. Manager International Affairs News Department
Day 9:
Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation
Hosts: Cecilia Yin, Director of Administration; Caroline Fried, Interim Director of Research; Emily Cheng, Research and Administrative Assistant
Participants of the 2023 seminar visited Taiwan, with stops at National Chengchi University, the American Institute of Taiwan, the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies, and more. They met with researchers, student peers, policymakers, and even journalists from outlets such as Thomson Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.
Launched in 2015, with trips to India in 2016, 2017 and 2019. This seminar took place at the University of Chicago’s Delhi Center in New Delhi, India. As preparation for the seminar, students accepted to the program enroll in a specialized course prior to the quarter in which the trip occurs.
The Delhi seminar included opportunities to meet Indian scholars and practitioners currently appointed in Indian universities, think tanks, and government. Topics discussed have included South Asian security and political economy, human rights, and climate change. Generous support from the Delhi Center covered all student costs for the seminar including international airfare, lodging, and most meals.
