International Education Week Grad Student Spotlight: Sangeun (Isabel) Lee
Graduate students are part of a long tradition of international studies at the college. As part of International Education Week at Bryn Mawr College, a number of students from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research agreed to answer questions highlighting aspects of their research.
Sangeun (Isabel) Lee | GSSWSR | South Korea
What attracted you to completing your graduate studies at Bryn Mawr?
When I first applied for the M.S.S. program at GSSWSR, I met great faculties and staff. All were very encouraging, and I felt very much cared for. I completed my M.S.W program at another institution. When it comes to the doctoral program, I only applied for GSSWSR. I knew what I wanted and where I wanted to go for my academic goal. So far, I am sure I have made the right choice.
Please describe your research interests or current research at the college.
I am interested in the Asian population with limited English proficiency and their adequate health care access in the long-term care setting. Before coming to BMC, I worked as an Asian bilingual social worker in the three non-profit agencies in Philadelphia, and this research topic highly relates to myself as an immigrant.
How would you say studying at an American university differs from and contributes to your education as an international scholar?
The doctoral program in BMC seems very rigorous and challenging. It encourages me to develop my own views and logic on my interest field. It genuinely asks me what I am focusing on. To establish my own lens for my topic, I have to learn different theories and foundations. However, I am aware that this meticulous program will adequately prepare me to be an international scholar when I complete it.
What is one of your goals for your time at Bryn Mawr?
I would like to expose myself to diverse people and opportunities. I profoundly believe in education and power of people. I am confident that building relationship among BMC students, faculties, and staff will enrich my academic life and personal life as a future scholar and as a humble human being. Life is full of learning from books and people.