Kimberly Wong, a doctoral student in the criminal justice program at Texas State University, was selected as a Boren Fellowship awardee in April 2023. During her 12 months as a Fellow, Wong attended Sogang University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, studying Korean language and culture.
The Boren Fellowship provides funding for graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad programs, for up to 12 months, equipping recipients for careers in federal service. Boren Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year following graduation, but many alumni of the program demonstrate a longer-term commitment to government service.
Kimberly Wong
Wong began her education in California, graduating with a bachelor of science in justice studies from San Jose State University and a master of science in criminal justice from California State University, Long Beach.
Wong began learning Korean in June 2021 through online courses from various institutions, such as the Korean American Cultural Center of San Antonio and the King Sejong Institute. “I also self-studied through books, YouTube videos, and K-dramas before taking part in the program at Sogang University through the fellowship,” she said.
She initially learned about the Boren Awards program in GradBulletin, a weekly email newsletter sent out by The Graduate College. At that time, she already had future aspirations of transitioning into federal government work.
“I could not believe that there was an opportunity that seemed perfect for me,” Wong said.
The Boren Fellowship
The Fellowship was Wong ‘s first opportunity to study Korean full time and in person in an immersive cultural context.
“Classes were five days a week, four hours a day, and I also took two hours per day of extracurricular classes, such as the social integration program through the Korean government and personal tutoring,” she said.
While she prioritized her language classes, Wong also became actively involved in her new Korean community.
“I performed regularly with a K-pop dance team, joined a language exchange program, volunteered with a nonprofit that aids those who have left North Korea, watched my favorite musicals and plays performed in Korean, and cheered on the local baseball team,” she said.
Wong referred to the Boren Award Convocation — a mandatory seminar in Washington, DC, that all Fellows attend prior to departing for their host countries — as being one of the highlights of the Fellowship.
“It was a fantastic way to meet government professionals and my fellow awardees,” she said. “We were able to build connections and spend a fun time together before beginning our journeys.”
However, her favorite part of the Fellowship was graduating from the Sogang University language program in summer 2024.
“I had dedicated so much time, energy, and focus,” she said. “There were times that I did not think I would make it, but I did. Attending the graduation ceremony, walking the stage, and celebrating with my classmates afterwards is an experience I will never forget.”
Overall, Wong believes the Fellowship was a valuable professional development experience that she pursued on the way to attaining her Ph.D. at TXST.
“This opportunity provided the support that I needed to continue learning Korean,” she said. “Due to the one-year service requirement after the program, it also offered me a foot in the door into a government agency. I will forever be grateful to have been a part of the Boren Fellowship.”
Advice for Future Applicants
Wong described the application process as being “lengthy and complicated.” She met with
The Graduate College’s External Funding Coordinator, Brian Smith, DMA, who Wong described as playing “a pivotal role in offering mentorship, coaching, and, most importantly, encouragement through the demanding application process. I feel so fortunate that our university has staff dedicated to providing such support for its students.”
Secondly, Wong recommended that applicants have an “interest in a future career path in national security and clear plans for short-term and long-term career goals” before applying.
As a Boren Fellow, Wong was able to advance her language skills by five levels and immerse herself in the daily life and culture of Korea. Going forward, she intends to keep studying until she achieves near-native Korean fluency. Wong also hopes to contribute her skills to a position in the federal government, specifically in the intelligence field.
Interested applicants should contact the appropriate campus representative at TXST for more information about the Boren Awards and the campus processes for supporting undergraduate and graduate students’ applications.