Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
High School: Seoul International School
Major: Political Science and Sociology Double Major

Activities: CTLR Peer Writing Tutor, CCSRE Advisory Board, Community Judicial Board, Korean-American Student Organization, Middlebury Center for Social Research

Study Abroad: I chose not to study abroad - the US is study abroad for me.

Why did I want to be a Senior Fellow?

The reason for applying to become a senior fellow was really because my experience at Middlebury has been one of constant transformation. In all honesty, my first year at Middlebury was tough. Growing up abroad in the urban metropolis of Seoul, South Korea, being across the world away from family in a rural environment took a little time getting used to. That being said, I came to appreciate the college – the academics, the faculty, the extracurricular organizations, and most of all the community. Looking back, it’s truly been a wonderful experience. Applying to become a senior fellow was one (of the many…) ways that I believed I could give back to the institution that played a large part in shaping the person I am today.

What was my college search like?

Roulette. I applied to many, many, MANY schools – more than just one profile on the commonapp would allow. My strategy was to apply to as many schools as possible and then research the schools that had accepted me. I don't suggest this because it was quite costly but I don't regret it either, because I did end up at Middlebury. I wouldn't have had the chance to attend if I didn't add it to my list senior year.

Thinking back to my senior year of high school, I remember that I was very anxious during the college admissions process. If there is any advice I can give, it’s that everyone should remember that things turn out okay in the end. Moreover, though the college application process can be intense, it’s definitely an opportunity to find out more about yourself. Putting your personal narrative and character on paper teaches you many things that you may not have known previously. If you cant avoid it (I guess you technically can…), enjoy it!

Why Middlebury?

I chose Middlebury because of its deceptively beautiful campus (the winters are cold!) and because I wanted to experience a liberal arts education.

What is life at Middlebury like?

Choosing a major

I applied as a prospective philosophy major and was pretty sure that I wanted to do philosophy for the rest of my life. When I got to Middlebury, I took my first year seminar in philosophy but was really struck by the intro sociology class. I declared my major in sociology at the end of my first year. I also declared my second major in political science and subsequently have been focusing a lot on political philosophy and comparative politics.

The biggest challenge in transitioning to college

The hardest part for transitioning to college for me was moving away from my family and friends as well as getting accustomed to living in a rural environment.

Fondest memory of Middlebury

I can’t really choose a FONDEST memory… I can say that some of my most memorable experiences occurred when I was hanging out with friends doing absolutely nothing on weeknights after classes and extracurriculars. There’s nothing better than drinking coffee, making instant noodles, and eating cheese for a study break… though these short study breaks often naturally become discussions about future careers, life, and other completely random things.

Favorite class or professor

Everything in the sociology and political science departments (especially the comparative and philosophy sub-disciplines)! If I had to choose, the course that changed my life (for better or for worse) was ‘Society and the Individual’ with professor Lynn (Linus) Owens.

What I do in my spare time

When not in class, I usually spend a lot of time working in various extracurricular capacities. I’ve been involved with the Korean American Student Association, the Community Judicial Board, the CTLR (as a peer writing tutor/first year seminar mentor) and multiple other activities. If I’m not running around campus trying to take care of all of my commitments, I enjoy spending time catching up with my close friends both at Middlebury and abroad. As many of my friends have already graduated, in recent years it has been taking a lot more time and effort talking to them, especially if they have settled abroad. Because Middlebury is a school with such an international focus, it is interesting getting to hear their experiences from wherever they are now. It’s strange (and a bit frightening) to think that I only have a year left here… I’ll be spending a lot of my spare time from now on figuring out what I’ll be moving on to next…

What I did this past summer

This past summer, I was in South Korea interning at the Ministry of Unification while also conducting research for my senior theses on North Korean refugee resettlement and prospects for Korean unification. It was probably the most productive and most stressful experience I’ve ever had in my life. Speaking with former North Koreans was fascinating to hear first-hand stories about their lives in the North and their lives in the South. But more importantly, hearing about the challenges to resettlement gave my academic interests and scholarship a much greater sense of urgency. When I was in Seoul, I worked with various groups to create an English Teaching Program for North Korean refugees and a scholarship program for children of former North Koreans. For the next year, I’ll be working on my two theses while also continuing to expand the programs and initiatives that I began this past summer.