The Joan Andrea Kleinman Travel and Language Grant is made in memory of Joan A. Kleinman, a scholar of Chinese language and literature and co-researcher with Dr. Arthur Kleinman of projects in medical anthropology. Joan Andrea Kleinman was committed to language as the basis for cultural and international studies and developed Chinese fluency only after her initial graduate studies in French. The goal of this grant is to promote language acquisition for use in the service of global health research. The language acquisition aspect of the summer research project may involve formal coursework or informal tutoring.
One or two annual awards are made to support summer field research and language learning outside of the United States in East Asia: China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. This grant supports research on the broadest aspects of health, illness and social suffering.
Nicholas della Cava was the 2022 award recipient of the Joan Andrea Kleinman Travel and Language Grant. His project, titled “Enlightenment From the Belly Out: Korean Buddhist Temple Cuisine at Baekyangsa” brought him to a monastery in South Korea to study Buddhist temple cuisine and culture. Nicholas della Cava’s recent statement about his trip and experience is below, along with photo.
“The Joan Andrea Kleinman Travel and Language Grant allowed me to pursue an experience I had thought would be both literally and figuratively off the grid for a college student: studying Buddhist temple food at a monastery in South Korea.
Throughout the process, from submitting my application to turning in my final report, Prof. Kleinman and Kathryn Vandever provided constant support, encouragement, and validation, even when my project was inevitably forced to adapt to challenges and the realities of working with new people in new environments.
The grant challenged my expectations of field research as much as it indirectly reminded me to stay on my toes, trust my gut, and just keep going.”
The Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School invites MD and MD-PhD students of Harvard Medical School and students of Harvard College to apply for this year’s Joan Andrea Kleinman Travel and Language Grant. The maximum award will be $7,500. Applications will be accepted until February 3, 2023. Apply via CARAT at https://carat.fas.harvard.edu/. Search for "Joan Andrea Kleinman Travel and Language Grant."
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that all support related to international travel is contingent upon Harvard University guidelines and safety protocols. Please see the following sites for the most up-to-date guidance: Harvard Travel Guidance and Harvard GSS COVID-19 travel advice.
Please contact Kathryn Vandever with any questions at kathryn_vandever@fas.harvard.edu.