Career Strategy Fellowships Study Abroad

Connect with Former Fellows

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The Light Fellowship Student Advisory Committee (SAC) was founded in 2007 by a group of Light Fellows returning to campus after their time abroad, eager to share their experiences with peers, encourage other students to seek the same opportunity, and give back to the Light Fellowship Program.  

Reach out to one of the SAC members below if you are interested in speaking to a former Fellow about applying to the Light Fellowship, choosing a program, spending a term or year abroad, or have general questions about the Light Fellowship experience and studying abroad in East Asia!

Tip: Contact the Light Fellowship office:

  • If you are interested in speaking to a recent Fellow with similar academic or career interests or who did a particular program or term abroad not represented below.
  • If you have questions or concerns about how your race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, language, disability, religion, or other identity considerations may impact your experience abroad and are unsure which SAC member to speak to.

We would be happy to share resources and put you in touch with former Fellows who are willing to share their experience and insights into these important considerations.

SAC Members


Kim Lagunas

BA
Humanities
2025

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hello! My name is Kim and I studied L1 and L2 Korean my Freshman year before studying in Busan for PNU's summer semester. Because of how great the experience was and informative of my own personal development, I plan to apply for Light again in the near future to attend another semester! Please feel free to message me about any questions regarding the Light experience, traveling to Korea for the first time, what Busan is like, or really whatever else!


Yingying Zhao

BA
English
2024

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Language Officer
2023-2024

Hello everyone! My name is Yingying, and I'm a senior in TD. I spent the summer after my first year studying at Ewha University. Though I participated in the program virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was still able to make amazing memories with my classmates and travel around to different parts of Korea, such as Busan. If you have any questions about what your experience in Korea might look like and how to get the best out of your time there, please reach out!


Charlson Kim

BA
Statistics and Data Science
2025

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hello! My name is Charlson, and I attended the Korean Language Education Center at Sogang University the academic year following my sophomore year. The Richard U. Light fellowship provided me the opportunity to reconnect with my culture and extended family leaving me with a truly unforgettable journey. Along with my studies, I had the freedom to explore the surrounding regions of Korea as well as connect with a truly international community in Seoul. Please feel free to contact me about any questions you have regarding life in Korea or just the overall Light experience.


Hind Omer

BA
Economics & East Asian Studies
2024

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hi! My name is Hind, and I attended the Korean Language Institute at Yonsei University the summer before my junior year. My time in Korea was truly unforgettable. I discovered so much about Korean culture, explored regions in Seoul and beyond, and met amazing people from all over the world. I would love to share more about my experience and provide advice for any future Light Fellows! If you have questions about choosing a program, navigating life in Seoul, or anything else, feel free to reach out!


Antonis Christou

BA
Computing and the Arts
2024

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hi! I'm Antonis Christou and I spent the 2022-2023 academic year studying at Yonsei University. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Richard U. Light Fellowship, I had a wonderful year abroad where I made so many friends from around the world, traveled to places all around Korea and east Asia, and ate many extremely yummy foods. One of my favorite parts from my time in Korea was when I traveled to Jeju Island - I was blown away by how beautiful it was and also how kind the people were. Other highlights included seeing the cherry blossoms bloom and exploring all the little neighborhoods in Seoul. Please feel free to reach out about any questions about Light, Korea, or studying abroad in general!


Hailey Seo

BA
Global Affairs and Environmental Studies
2026

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2023-2024

Hi! My name is Hailey, and I spent my summer before sophomore year studying Korean at the Korean Language Institute of Yonsei University. My summer in South Korea was one of the best experiences of my entire life. I was able to study at one of the top Korean universities, meet students from all over the globe, immerse myself in the vibrant culture, and also (as a Korean-American) meet family I hadn't seen in years. I would love to talk about my time in Korea and answer any questions about my study abroad experience, so please reach out!


Jenny Wong

BA
Neuroscience
2024

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hi everyone! I studied abroad in the summer of 2022 at Yonsei KLI and am a rising senior majoring in Neuroscience from Brooklyn, NY in Saybrook College. My favorite part was my weekend trip to Jeju Island, and I would definitely travel to Korea again just to visit that place! A special hobby I pursued in Korea was definitely trying out new cafes. Because there are so many cute cafes in Korea, I definitely tried to explore as many as I could. I also enjoyed meeting the variety of international students in the Yonsei KLI program and would be open to discussing more about my time in Korea. Feel free to reach out with questions!


Christina Lee

BA
Philosophy and Comparative Literature
2026

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hello! I'm Christina and I spent summer 2023 studying at Yonsei University. Being able to study Korean outside of a Yale classroom was truly a transformative experience. Not only did my writing and reading skills improve greatly inside the classroom, but immersing myself in the local community exposed me to the wonderful food, history, and art Korea has to offer. I still think about that one kalguksu restaurant to this day... I look forward to meeting fellow applicants to answer any questions and speak about my experience!


Caitlin Hong

B.A.
History & Economics
2025

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hi! My name is Caitlin and I attended Yonsei’s Korean Language Institute during the fall quarter of my junior year. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so thankful to the Richard U. Light fellowship which allowed me to reconnect with my extended family and properly experience Asia for the first time. I made unforgettable friendships at Yonsei, both with Americans and internationals, and thoroughly enjoyed my time abroad. Please reach out if you have any questions about the Light Fellowship, studying abroad or literally anything else!


Thalia Inui

BA
Economics and Mathematics
2026

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2023-2024

Hi! My name is Thalia and I spent my summer in Seoul, South Korea at Seoul National University studying Korean! Living in Korea has been one of the best experiences of my college life so far. I spent every day traveling around Seoul experiencing both the more touristy aspects such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Lotte World as well as the day-to-day life aspects of going to cafes to study, having meals with friends, and taking dance lessons (at the TikTok famous 1 Million Dance Studio!). I was also able to leave Seoul a few times to make trips to Incheon, Busan, and Nami Island! I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity by Light to immerse myself in Korean culture and life while furthering my study of the language and hope to do it again if given the opportunity in the future! If you have any questions about the Light Fellowship, my time in Korea, studying abroad, or anything else, please feel free to reach out!!


Emily Borr

BA
Molecular
Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology
2025

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Korean Language Representative
2023-2024

Hello! My name is Emily, I am a junior in Pierson studying MCDB, and I studied Korean at Sogang University during the summer of 2023. I loved my experience, made so many friends, and had such a great time living and studying in Seoul. I would love to chat if you have any questions!