Jessica Lee

Jessica Lee participated in the 2024 CLS Korean Program hosted by Chonnam National University in Gwangju, South Korea. She is currently majoring in Asian studies and double minoring in biology and interdisciplinary studies while on the pre-medicine track at Boston University. Jessica aspires to become a physician and continue serving in the Air National Guard as a military service member.

Why Korean?

As the only English speaker in my immigrant family, I’ve always bridged language gaps. Studying Korean more formally through CLS gave me the linguistic and cultural fluency I needed to better support my community, especially elders and recent immigrants who struggle with English-language healthcare and legal systems. Also, I wanted to have a culturally immersive experience to connect more with my heritage, and working with my cohort as a team was meaningful.

A Favorite Idiom

My favorite idiom is 고장난명 — “one hand alone cannot clap.” It reminds me that meaningful progress requires collaboration, whether in language learning, cross-cultural understanding, or patient care. This phrase stayed with me throughout CLS, as I grew by learning with and from others.

Career Goals

Later on, I plan to work with immigrant and refugee populations as a physician. I intend to integrate Korean in clinical settings and public health outreach, using my language skills to reduce barriers for Korean-speaking patients and advocate for culturally competent care. Additionally, knowing this critical language and its culture will undoubtedly support my military career, whether through interactions with wingmen or experiences during trainings and missions.

CLS’s Impact

CLS confirmed my desire to serve as a linguistic and cultural bridge in medicine. It deepened my understanding of how language intersects with trust, identity, and access—especially in healthcare. Also, the experience shaped both my academic path and my future practice. For example, volunteering at the Gwangju Migrant Health Center led me to my current research project regarding using visuals to combat language barriers in mental health care.