Kelly Byrd, a junior majoring in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Korean Studies, is a study abroad student from Mason’s Fairfax campus. This is her first semester at Mason Korea, but this isn’t her first time in Korea.
Byrd first came to Korea in 2019 for a month-long study abroad program through Mason at Sejong University. After returning home to Virginia, she knew that she wanted to study abroad again in Korea before graduating.
“I was ecstatic when my professor informed me about a new internship opportunity at Mason Korea for the Spring 2021 semester,” Byrd said. “It was just the kind of opportunity I was looking for, so I immediately applied. Thankfully, I got the internship and I was able to come to Mason Korea for the first time and explore Korea again, as well as meet the students and faculty at Mason Korea.”
Byrd is currently interning at the Industrial-University Collaboration Foundation (IUCF) at Mason Korea, where she helps connect professors with research opportunities. Her role ranges from translating emails from Korean to English, translating Korean websites for faculty, and researching Korean conferences that relate to faculty research interests.
“My experience at Mason Korea has been pretty fulfilling,” she said. “It is fun to explore a new campus and meet new people while also gaining internship experience. My biggest goal that I want to achieve during my time in Korea is to improve my Korean speaking skills, but I also hope to continue to meet new people as well as continue to make a lot of great memories.”
Check out her interview in Korean!
April 20, 2021
