Learning an exotic language or accessing the culture, history and economy of an Asian language without ever stepping foot into a classroom may seem highly unlikely.

However, all of this and more now is possible with NIU’s impressively expansive Southeastern Asian Studies Web site, also known as “Seasite,” at www.seasite.niu.edu.

The Southeastern Asian division of NIU’s studies embodies culture, language, history, economics and tradition.

NIU’s Seasite is considered by some to be the most extensive Internet-based collaboration of Southeastern Asian culture available at the university level.

“The Web site addresses the cultures and languages of all the Southeastern Asian groups available, and there are 11,” said Jessica Rinehart, president of Southeastern Asian Club.

The site is easy to use and has links to Southeastern Asian scholarships, current programs, clubs and historical online library materials.

Seasite also includes language and culture forums. The forums provide interactive learning features for the area of concentration.

“Anyone in the world can use this site and essentially learn a Southeastern language,” said Rinehart.

The site even contains literary scripts in many of the languages.

“If any student needs to do a report on any Southeastern Asian culture or language, they have all the resources available,” Rinehart added.

Updates on current student conferences on Southeastern Asian studies are also continuously covered through the site, Rinehart said.