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Southeast Asian Summer Studies Institute (SEASSI)

Gamelan and classroom learning at SEASSI

Earn two semesters of language credit at SEASSI this summer!

The Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI) is an eight-week intensive summer language training program for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals. It has been held since 1983, and hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994-1995 and then since 2000. The eight week program is equivalent to two semesters of language study. 

Instruction is offered for academic credit in eight languages at the first, second, and third year levels:

  • Burmese
  • Filipino
  • Hmong
  • Indonesian
  • Javanese
  • Khmer
  • Lao
  • Thai
  • Vietnamese

Instruction is given in small individualized groups taught by a team consisting of a coordinator (usually a linguist specializing in Southeast Asian language pedagogy) and teachers who are native speakers of that language. Instruction is intensive. Classes are held from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays. Most students find that they spend an additional three to four hours per day on homework.

SEAP offers funding for undergraduates and graduate students to attend SEASSI, via FLAS fellowships (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents) and SEAP scholarships for undergraduates. Further scholarships are available on the SEASSI website

Application Deadline

Priority deadline March 15, 2025.

Stay Connected for Updates

More details about the program are available on the SEASSI website, and make sure you have subscribed to the SEAP listserv to receive the latest updates on deadlines for SEASSI applications and funding deadlines.

Additional Information

Academic Type

  • Program

Program