{"id":601,"date":"2023-05-04T18:50:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T18:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/ksi\/?page_id=601"},"modified":"2026-05-11T20:13:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:13:01","slug":"ksi-undergraduate-fellows-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/ksi\/undergraduate\/ksi-undergraduate-fellows-program\/","title":{"rendered":"KSI Undergraduate Research Fellows Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>The Korean Studies Institute (KSI) Undergraduate Research Fellows Program is an opportunity for outstanding USC students to conduct in-depth research on Korea or Korean-American issues 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\u2013style 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.<\/p>\n<p>In the spring semester, fellows continue revising their papers for presentation at the annual joint undergraduate research conference co-organized by KSI, the <a href=\"https:\/\/ii.umich.edu\/ncks\">Nam Center for Korean Studies<\/a> at the University of Michigan, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/korea.sas.upenn.edu\/\">James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3>Benefits of the Program<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Join a close-knit community of undergraduate research fellows engaged in Korean studies<\/li>\n<li>Get close academic mentoring from the main instructor and KSI faculty affiliates<\/li>\n<li>Produce a 15-20 page research paper on any Korea-related or Korean-American research topic<\/li>\n<li>Participate in a USC mini-research conference<\/li>\n<li>Participate in the annual USC-Michigan-U Penn Research Exchange Conference<\/li>\n<li>Be invited to special event occasions<\/li>\n<li>Learn about fellowship and publishing opportunities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Alumni Highlights<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Past Fellows have been an award winner of the <a href=\"https:\/\/ahf.usc.edu\/signature-events\/uwc\/\">Undergraduate Writers&#8217; Conference<\/a> and\u00a0recipients of the Critical Language, Boren and Schaefer Fellowships while at USC.<\/li>\n<li>Graduates have received the Marshall, Schwarzman, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Fulbright Fellowships.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Program Requirement<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Residency for the 2026-2027 academic year<\/li>\n<li>Enrollment in KSI 399, Course offered during the fall semester<\/li>\n<li>Participation in the Annual Research Exchange Conference with the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to Apply<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Application Requirements\u00a0<\/u><\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Provide an explanation on why you want to join the Fellows Program<\/li>\n<li>Provide a research topic you are interested in<\/li>\n<li>Resume<\/li>\n<li>Residency is required to participate in this program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The application cycle for the 2026-27 cohort is now open! <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdkx-5dQkrxBDRVY8ulg8r5HrLyUBpy4cuhd-AfgST6OjsqUw\/viewform?usp=header\">Link to application<\/a>. The review begins on April 20, 2026. <strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spotlight image-left\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spotlight\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"text-image-container\">\n  <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <span>Alumni Spotlight<\/span>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>The KSI Fellows Program exceeded my expectations, as rather than simply culminating in the production of a single research paper, it created a space to engage with Korean Studies in a more rigorous and multidimensional way. Approaching the field through seminar-style discussions was really valuable, as it pushed me to think more critically and situate my work within broader academic conversations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;Bright Lee, Recipient of the Best Paper Award at the 2026 Undergraduate Research Exchange Conference <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"image-container\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/ksi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/01\/Headshot-resized.jpg\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spacer \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spacer\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spotlight \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spotlight\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"text-image-container\">\n  <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <span>Alumni Spotlight<\/span>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>If you\u2019re 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!<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;Kylie Meng-Lin, Recipient of the Best Paper Award at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Exchange Conference <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"image-container\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/ksi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2024\/09\/KylieMengLin.png\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spacer \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spacer\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spotlight image-left\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spotlight\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"text-image-container\">\n  <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <span>Fellow Spotlight<\/span>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Participating in KSI\u2019s 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 \u2013 where I learned not only what to research, but how \u2013 I gained both the skills and confidence to create and present a twenty-page paper at the Institute\u2019s annual conference. <\/p>\n<p>It is thanks to the fellowship that I\u2019ve 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\u2019s annual Undergraduate Writers\u2019 Conference, where my paper was recognized as an outstanding student work. <\/p>\n<p>I strongly recommend this program to anyone with an interest in Asian Studies, formal research, or writing in general, regardless of prior experience.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;Sienna Jackson, Awarded Second Place at the 2025 USC Undergraduate Writers&#8217; Conference <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"image-container\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/ksi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2024\/09\/SiennaJackson.png\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spacer \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spacer\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--contact-details \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--contact-details\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n\n          <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Questions about the program?\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n        \n      <\/div>\n    \n    \n      <div class=\"contacts-container\">\n\n        \n                      <div class=\"contact-card\">\n\n                              <h3>For questions, contact us at ksi@usc.edu.<\/h3>\n              \n              \n              \n              \n            <\/div>\n                    \n      <\/div>\n\n        \n     \n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"parent":138,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-601","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - 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