What inspires you to work in public service?
I am inspired to work in public service due my concern for the growing severity of human rights violations occurring throughout our world. In high school, I conducted a thesis focused on foreign intervention and North and South Korean relations prior to the Korean War; this project sparked my interest in advocating for peace and conflict prevention and has motivated me to start my current, preliminary research on North Korean human rights violations. Having this prior understanding of the considerable role that policy plays in improving populations' quality of life has only furthered my desire to pursue a career in public service.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
I am a double major in Korean and International Studies, with a specialization in International Relations and Diplomacy, and I have a minor in Spanish.
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
During my freshman year, I had the privilege to take the INTSTDS 2800 - Introduction to Peace Studies course, taught by Professor Benjamin McKean. This class piqued my interest by introducing me to various forms of violence and conflict resolution, and I had the honor to continue investing my time into such matters as a grader for the same course in the fall 2025 semester. I also strengthened my interest in Korean culture, history, and policy by taking the Korean 2231 - Elements of Korean Culture, where I was able to delve into both my policy and regional interests. Finally, my Korean language courses have helped to build up my interest in public service and diplomacy by gaining greater cultural understanding surrounding Korea and East Asia.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
As a passionate and driven student, I bring my organizational, public speaking, writing, and editing skills to the internship, along with my enthusiasm for policy matters. Furthermore, as an individual who has grown up with life-threatening, anaphylactic food allergies, my concern for improving the representation of individuals with invisible disabilities in legislation and policy allows me to bring a nuanced, advocacy-minded outlook to my internship and to the summer 2026 cohort.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
When collaborating with others, I rely most on my advocacy skills. As a leader, I find it vital to not only self-advocate for my own needs but to also listen attentively to others' opinions. I find that collaborative work cannot be completed effectively and will not result in a successful product without proper representation and input from all members of that community. Furthermore, I also rely greatly on my creative skills and persistent outlook. When collaborative projects seem tedious, I always aim to bring an encouraging, positive attitude and new ideas to the table to support my group's collaborative efforts.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
I intend to attend graduate school in a program related to East Asian Affairs or International Relations, gain experience in the professional field, and eventually take the Foreign Service Exam. I aspire to work as either a human rights advocate or Foreign Service Officer. My ultimate dream is to be stationed in South Korea as a diplomat. I know that by participating in the Washington Academic Internship Program as a John Glenn Fellow, I will be able to expand my current understanding of both domestic and foreign policy matters. Furthermore, I hope that my networking with The Ohio State University's alumni network in D.C. and working hands-on with experts at my internship site of interest will allow me to gain heightened awareness regarding the desired skills and responsibilities of a Foreign Service Officer.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
As a fall 2025 intern at the non-profit Learning Life, my favorite project was managing the organization's community social media page. I felt very rewarded to interact with and provide educational, culturally conscious materials to such a globally-representative community. My regular posting of sources and interaction with the community on the platform allowed me to foster cultural exchange amongst individuals from all walks of life, whilst simultaneously building up my understanding of global cultural practices. It was incredible to see how my regular commenting on posts and encouragement to share personal anecdotes regarding family life allowed individuals - sometimes hundreds of miles away from one another - to discover a shared sense of humanity.