SEAP Alumni

The Southeast Asia Program serves as an academic home to Cornell students from a variety of backgrounds unified by a common interest in Southeast Asia. SEAP students are a diverse group, representing 29 different fields of study over a 5 year period. During their time at Cornell, these students benefit from the resources and support provided by SEAP to explore another culture, inspire their studies, engage in rich discussions, and develop meaningful theses and dissertations.

The education, cultural exposure, and academic community at SEAP extend beyond a student’s time at Cornell and have inspired alumni to research, travel, and work in Southeast Asia. For others, these aspects of SEAP have opened career paths and unique opportunities. Looking at alumni who enter the job market, historically 27% have taken jobs abroad, 10% have worked in government (either foreign or American), and 42% have taken positions in post-secondary institutions world-wide. For many alumni, “the Cornell SEAP opened up a world of possibilities…that have enhanced career opportunities ever since.” (Alum, Class of 1990).

Here is what other alumni have been saying about SEAP:

“The language skills and knowledge of the field that I gained at Cornell have been vital in preparing me for my content work of teaching and research.”

“I have been engaged continuously with Asia since my days at Cornell. The SEAP program provided me with skills I continue to draw on every day in my work with humanitarian relief and development.”

“The intense relationships established between graduate students and faculty was crucial to SEAP’s high achievements”

“My Cornell SEAP education has been the building block on which I have built my entire career.”

“Cornell’s Southeast Asia Program contributed significantly to both my professional career in the Foreign Service as well as my personal life. Over nearly thirty years, my Foreign Service assignments included a number of jobs with responsibilities for Southeast Asia. The academic background I gained at Cornell certainly contributed to my effectiveness in these positions.”

To see a break-down of alumni by country interest or languages, or to view profiles of recent graduates, please use the links below: