Photo Courtesy of Won Jun Choi

 President of Mason’s Korean student association shares his journey as a Korean American

BY PHILLIP KIM, STAFF WRITER

Editor’s note: This interview was initially conducted in spring 2024.  

Junior Won Jun Choi was in the first grade of elementary school when his family immigrated from South Korea to the United States. For years, he struggled with language, cultural barriers and racism. Offhand derogatory remarks were not uncommon.

“My high school did not have that many Asian students,” Choi said. “We had 1,300 students and only maybe 10 of them were Asians. When you grow up in that sort of environment, you sort of lose your identity. You are not proud of who you are. You are not unapologetically you.”

That changed when Choi enrolled at Mason as a computer science major, around the time the pandemic broke out. During lockdown, he studied Korean history and culture, learning to embrace both sides of himself.

Choi soon joined Mason’s Korean International Students Association (KISA), and has been the president since fall 2023. KISA’s mission is to provide information about Korean culture to all students who are interested and to connect Korean students on campus to embrace Korean culture. He had never held a leadership position before, but he is passionate about helping other Korean students adjust to new life in America.

“This semester, we were able to serve more people, give them job opportunities that are good for them and connect them with Korean students within the Washington, Maryland and Virginia area right here,” Choi said. “Every time we coordinate with the [Korean] embassy to help Korean students get jobs or just host a networking event, that’s when I’m the most proud of myself and the group.”

Organizing events is not an easy task, according to Choi. First, KISA leadership determines who the event is for. Then, it must figure out the date and time that most target individuals would be free by. Finally, the organization must contact said students to invite them using various means, ranging from direct messaging via social media to handing out pamphlets. Choi shared that nothing beats the rewarding catharsis of moments when events are successfully held.

Growing up as a Korean American in Annandale, Va. was a challenge for young Choi. Now, he chooses to use his experience to help others at Mason going through what he once did.

“I can equally think I’m a Korean and I’m an American,” Choi said. “My ultimate goal is to provide a bridge between Korean Americans and Koreans, for them to understand each other more and make connections with each other in the area.”