Apply to be a KSI Fellow!

The Korean Studies Institute (KSI) Undergraduate Fellows Program is an opportunity for USC undergraduates to produce a research paper on key issues in Korean history, culture, and society in the Fall semester, culminating in presentations at the annual joint conference between KSI and the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan in the Spring semester.

Students will be required to register for KSI 399 (#25813) for 4 units in the Fall semester and participate in the exchange conference in the Spring semester. Both the class and the conference are held in person during the academic year.

The course in the Fall will include sessions on Korean studies and research design. By the end of the course, the Fellows will produce a full draft of a research paper on a topic of their own choosing. In the Spring semester, the Fellows will participate in a mock conference before presenting their papers at the exchange conference with students from the University of Michigan.

 

Benefits of the Program

  • Get close academic mentoring from the main instructor and KSI faculty affiliates.
  • Produce a 15-20 page research paper on any Korea-related or Korean-American research topic.
  • Participate in a USC mini-research conference.
  • Participate in the annual USC-Michigan Korean Studies Exchange.
  • Be invited to special event occasions.
  • Learn about fellowship and publishing opportunities.

 

Alumni Highlights

  • Past Fellows have been an award winner of the Undergraduate Writers’ Conference and recipients of the Critical Language, Boren and Schaefer Fellowships while at USC.
  • Graduates have received the Marshall, Schwarzman, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Fulbright Fellowships.
  • Many have used their KSI research papers as foundations for a capstone paper, an honors thesis, and/or a writing sample for their graduate school applications.

 

How to Apply

    • Application Requirements (Click Here to Apply)
      • Provide an explanation on why you want to join the Fellows Program
      • Provide a research topic you are interested in
      • Resume
      • Residency is required to participate in this program
    • Review of applications will begin on May 8, 2025. 

Questions about the program?

For questions, contact us at ksi@usc.edu.