In bringing together people from both different academic as well as diverse cultural backgrounds the MEAS programme provides a unique, valuable and insightful interdisciplinary studying experience that goes far beyond cultural studies with a regional focus on East Asia. Whereas interdisciplinary, cross-faculty studying experiences and the related exchange with different academic fields are – at least based on my personal studying experience – otherwise a rare opportunity at university, MEAS at its core fosters specifically this kind of exchange and experience. Coming from a background of law and economics, I particularly enjoyed getting to know more about other fields of study and their research methods within the framework of East Asia. I profited a lot, both academically as well as personally, from broadening my horizon and refining my research interests through the exchange (both in- and outside of the lectures) with the diverse student body from all over the world with wide-ranging academic backgrounds as well as the diversity of perspectives the lectures provide. Moreover, I gained valuable insights and new perspectives on numerous aspects relating to East Asia through MEAS.

Svenja Schenk, class of 2019