<p>So I was just notified I got accepted into my 2nd Choice at LSE MSc International Relations, I was told I will need to wait until March to hear back from my top choice the double MSc in International Affairs LSE-Peking University. The whole thing is I really want to focus on Chinese foreign policy and East Asian Affairs. I am pretty sure I will be accepted into the dual major considering my application is being supported by professors at the PKU aspect of the masters also I was told usually if a student was accepted into the 2nd choice program they are nearly guaranteed to get into the first choice if they are already out of college. But the problem is that I want to work in a think tank or political consulting (Detica etc etc) after i graduate and am curious if I am making the right choice since I want to be an expert on Chinese Foreign Affairs/East Asian Politics. I applied to Peking University's solo 2 year MIR the English taught program because I was way too lazy to take the HSK even though I am at the Chinese level to take grad level courses in Chinese. The MIR program would allow me to study Japanese at Peking University instead of Chinese because I placed out so I can continue my second IR language while taking a course completely focused on China IR. But at the same time the program is really new with no true alumni networking. I was also considering applying to the School of Oriental and African Studies for the MSc in Asian Politics. I don't know that much about the UK course system but the LSE masters has 3 modules and it appears that even though LSE has amazing resources for East Asian politics and Eastern IR in general they only have one Asian Politics module for the IR MSc. I also am thinking of applying to Hong Kong University's Masters in International and Public Affairs since it is also heavily focused on China as well as the fact I want to regain my Cantonese. I didn't apply to US schools because my brother is a freshman and even though my parents want to help with tuition I'd rather not go to the states cause grad school is way too expensive for two years. So is it worth the time to apply to these schools since from what I hear the HKU MIPA isn't that great even though it has agreements with both SAIS and GWU's Elliot School and SOAS is considered to be not all that academically strong even though its the only school in the UK specifically designed to study the Eastern world?? So my question is if I do get accepted to the LSE-PKU program is it the right choice considering my goals? Or should I seriously consider the two year MIR at PKU or just take the damn HSK and do the Chinese taught IR course? Or should I apply to SOAS and HKU? I am just worried about since the MIR at PKU is a brand new program that it would not get the same respect as two masters. I am just torn because honestly I never thought I would get into the LSE MSc IR. My application was nearly completely specialized in East Asian affairs and this totally shook up my plans.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone has time to get through a novel to answer your question. You should be able to make your own decisions at this point in your life.</p>
<p>Also a bit confused here–so you prefer a program in Asia but are worried about the lesser networking opportunities? I’m also not quite sure if you’re American or what, so the particular country you’re looking for a job in will help with that question.</p>
<p>Yes I’m American. Its less about studying in Asia than the actual coursework. At PKU and HKU the coursework solely focuses on China which is perfect BUT at the same time I want to study East Asia as a whole hence that is where LSE can come in. My ideal program is the LSE-PKU program because its a great compromise. Spend one year in China purely studying Chinese foreign policy then studying East Asia as a whole but I don’t know if I got into that program yet. I was already accepted into my second choice at LSE and the solo two year masters in IR degree at PKU. I am also worried about opportunities as well because sooner or later I do want to move back to the states but first would love to live in Hong Kong for a few years (am currently in beijing) and Peking University or Hong Kong University really can’t compare with LSE. But at the same time the coursework at LSE would possibly allow me to only one courses on asia out of the three courses you take for your masters two out of three if I make a case for letting me take a course from the government department so if I end up getting rejected from my top choice, I wouldn’t get the same education on East Asia politics that I really want.</p>
<p>Random bump >.> anyway same problem exists. I’ve made up my mind if I get into lse PKU I’ll be going there. Now just getting in is the problem. I should be hearing back in the next two weeks and am really really nervous. I’m hoping if I got into lse ir that shows I’m a strong candidate considering my extensive work in china and nearing bilingual level of Chinese.</p>
<p>I can write an academic thesis in Chinese and am currently having an article analyzing Chinese Nuclear agreements with Arab nations under review to be published, also written in Chinese.</p>
<p>lol after 10+ years of learning a language the time for polishing is over and the time for application begins. Once I get my Japanese up to snuff I’ll be able to publish in it as well which will definitely give me an edge over an other phD applicant. Most of them need funding for language study…so being able to use those summers to instead gather data instead of sitting in class will be much better.</p>
<p>Who says that you have to sit in class to polish your language skills?</p>
<p>Working abroad is a much better use of your time at your level than classes anyway. But, I might add that I have nearly a decade of Japanese and there’s always room to polish.</p>
<p>I have plenty of work experience abroad, im currently working at china;s most prestigious social science institute, and nearly a decade isn’t the same as over 10 years, I don’t mean to sound unnecessarily arrogant but the one thing that has always gotten me my jobs abroad and internship offerings have been my strong East asian language abilities in both Chinese and Japanese. Plus Japanese is much easier to pick up again if you don’t have to worry about learning the kanji since all those years of learning it will come back again. Its also a matter of commitment and exposure.</p>
<p>You can’t master a language by just “exposure” but anyway most people don’t plan to write academic articles in anything besides english so when I applied for my masters it gave me an edge.</p>
<p>I never said “exposure,” though. I said work. Using the language every day with native speakers in complex work situations helps you to solidify concepts, grow vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and “native-ize” your speaking.</p>
<p>UCLA please don’t preach to me how to nativize my language…as much as you have experienced, I have been exposed to these languages far longer and understand the depth of them I appreciate the mutual agreement on their complexity I’ve had years of practice in these countries. So don’t assume I’m green its slightly insulting.</p>
<p>How in heaven’s name am I preaching? I was simply trying to offer advice based on your questions. But, if I was, I apologize. </p>
<p>That being said, I can see that you have everything worked out, so I’m not sure what you expect from any of us. In this case, my only advice is to do what you think is best, since you definitely know what you’re doing. I’m sure you’ll know more than most of us, given your niche.</p>