KSI Fellows Program

The Korean Studies Institute (KSI) Undergraduate Fellows Program offers outstanding USC undergraduates the opportunity to conduct original research on Korean and Korean American history, culture, and society under close faculty mentorship. During the fall semester, fellows are required to enroll in KSI 399 (#25813) for four units, a course structured as an honors thesis–style seminar in Korean studies. In this seminar, students develop and refine a substantial research paper on the topic of their choice through guided instruction, peer workshop, and individualized feedback.

In the spring semester, fellows continue revising their papers for presentation at the annual joint undergraduate research conference co-organized by KSI, the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan, and the James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in the Spring semester. Alumni of the program have gone on to receive prestigious awards and fellowships, and many have successfully used their final papers for graduate school applications or journal publication.

In addition, undergraduate fellows receive priority access to KSI events and may be invited to select reception dinners, thus benefiting from more intellectual and professional networking opportunities beyond the classroom. Students with strong intellectual curiosity about Korean studies who are seeking sustained, guided research and mentorship are especially encouraged to apply.

 

Benefits of the Program

  • Join a close-knit community of undergraduate research fellows engaged in Korean studies.
  • 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 
      • 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
    • The application window for the 2025-26 cohort is now closed. The application cycle for the 2026-27 cohort will open in spring of 2026!  
Alumni Spotlight

If you’re looking to find a community where you can not only pursue your research interest, but also meet people with like-minded interests and enthusiasm, this program is amazing. I felt inspired by my peers throughout the program and enjoyed meeting the students from the University of Michigan as well. It really helps develop your voice as a researcher and I think is a good introduction to the field of humanities. Plus the food is always good!

–Kylie Meng-Lin, Recipient of the Best Paper Award at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Exchange Conference

Fellow Spotlight

Participating in KSI’s Undergraduate Fellowship Program has tremendously benefited me not only academically, but personally as well: prior to taking part in the program, I had no experience with Korean Studies and only a vague understanding of writing for the humanities. After spending the year collaborating with my mentors and fellows – where I learned not only what to research, but how – I gained both the skills and confidence to create and present a twenty-page paper at the Institute’s annual conference.

It is thanks to the fellowship that I’ve realized my interest in both writing and research, and have even declared East Asian Languages and Cultures as a second major. I was able to attend USC’s annual Undergraduate Writers’ Conference, where my paper was recognized as an outstanding student work.

I strongly recommend this program to anyone with an interest in Asian Studies, formal research, or writing in general, regardless of prior experience.

–Sienna Jackson, Awarded Second Place at the 2025 USC Undergraduate Writers’ Conference

Questions about the program?

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