Global Thinking

Transcript

Okay, Everyone. Kate, a senior in the Chinese flagship program is over at Lippitt Hall, home to the university’s honors program. Students in the honors program study the important issues facing our society and seek innovative solutions to the challenges they encounter. The Chinese flagship program is teaching Kate to be proficient in Mandarin Chinese and allows her to have so many different global learning experiences. Kate sure has an incredible story to tell. So let’s hear from her. Take it away.

– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. In Mandarin, I just said, “Welcome to URI and my name is Kate.” I was originally born in Seoul, South Korea. At the age of four months old, I was adopted and raised in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. As a Korean-American with French-Canadian parents, I’ve always had an immense passion for travel, languages, and culture. And I knew I wanted to attend a university that not only allowed me to further explore these interests, but to expand them into skills and knowledge applicable towards a career in international relations and law. And that’s when I was introduced to the Chinese flagship program here at URI. The Chinese flagship program is one of only 12 other programs in the entire country and offers an intensive, holistic, and incredibly rewarding opportunity for students to achieve a superior level of proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. But aside from this, my time as a Ram has also allowed me to travel all over East Asia, all simultaneously earning credit towards my degrees. The URI’s partnership with Korea University, I was able to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea, and attend their international winter campus where I took Korean classes and explore more of my native heritage and culture. Thanks to the help of URI’s Office of National Fellowships and Academic Opportunities, I was awarded both the Boren and Gilman national scholarships, as well as the Rhode Island Demers language scholarship There are a total of more than $44,000 towards my study abroad program in Taiwan. Even beyond this, being selected as a Boren scholar, it means that I’ll have a job with the federal government, working in national security after I graduate, an incredible start to my professional career after college. But if studying abroad perhaps isn’t for you, URI still has countless opportunities for all of its students. Take the honors program for example, open to students from all departments and disciplines, the honors program not only offers students with unexpanded course selection and early enrollment opportunities, but also allows students the opportunity to conduct research or other scholarly and creative work for academic credit through the honors project. Becoming a Ram has provided me with countless opportunities that have allowed for my professional, academic, and personal growth. And I have no doubt that it will do the exact same for you. Well, that’s my story. Now back to you, Alex.

– Wow. Kate, thank you for sharing. It’s amazing to hear about the experiences that URI students can have because of the university’s global mindset with over 700 plus study away opportunities. Your work with URI’s Office of National Fellowships and Academic Opportunities is surely leading you to some big places. From the experience you’ve had abroad to the work you’ve done here in Kingston, you’ll surely be able to change the world and I can’t wait to see what you do. Take care.