Jumi Yoon

Why did you decide to do a MA/Major in East Asian Area Studies (EAAS)?

Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved learning languages—I speak Korean, and I learned Japanese and Chinese. That naturally led me to an interest in East Asian culture broadly, and the similarities and differences between the countries led me to want to study it academically.

Can you tell us about your research focus or interests? Is there any project/internship/work you are currently working on that you would like to share?

My research centers on Korean Christian new religious movements—specifically, an emerging trend of female leadership and female divinity within these movements. This is my research question: how does a phenomenon like this take root in a space as traditionally conservative as Korean Christianity?

Do you have any advice for incoming students?

Advice: Keep an open mind! I ended up with a research topic I never anticipated studying; your path may look nothing like what you planned, but everything will work out. Also, take things one day at a time. It’s so easy to look around and compare yourself to where others seem to be, but everyone is carrying their own struggles that you can’t always see.

What are your plans after graduation?

I’ll be starting law school at UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings)! Excited for this new chapter.