Robinson College and Honors College student Claire Sohn (B.B.A. ’23) will spend the 2021-2022 academic year in South Korea on a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State, enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad while gaining skills critical to national security and economic prosperity. Sohn discusses her plans.
Which university will you attend, and what will you be studying?
I will be at the Korea University Business School in Seoul. I am a management major and I will be taking classes for my degree.
Why did you choose Korea, and how did you select the university where you will be studying?
I chose Korea because I want to connect more with my ancestral background, study in a country with an up-and-coming economy, and fulfill my degree requirements while experiencing life in a different country. There were several universities to choose from, but once I discovered that Korea University had a business college, I happily applied.
Are you proficient or fluent in Korean?
I am somewhat proficient in Korean. I hope that by immersing myself in a Korean-speaking environment, my language skills will improve immensely.
Outside your studies, what do you hope to see/do while in South Korea?
I hope to explore national parks and Jeju Island [a UNESCO World Heritage Site]. I also hope to visit extended family I have not seen in more than 10 years.
Do you want to live abroad after graduation?
I would like to live abroad after graduation. I think it is exciting to explore new countries and cultures.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself graduated with an MBA in international business. I hope to attend graduate school in Washington, D.C.