Spanish Concentration

Kevin Omans

Kevin Omans

Describe your dissertation or thesis (if you completed one):

I chose my first major, Global Affairs, once I realized I wanted to better understand culture and how it changes across place and time. At the same time, I wanted to communicate with more people and learn about my Korean heritage and the United States, in particular the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, so I decided to major in Korean and Spanish.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

My academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impacted me to a great extent. Academically, my time at Mason exposed me to various fields that I knew very little about from linguistics to cultural studies. On a more personal note, the various classes I took from Global Affairs and the Spanish program helped me gain a greater appreciation for the Northern Virginia area where I grew up. Additionally, without the encouragement of my professors, advisors, and peers, I would not have had the confidence to study abroad in Taiwan and Korea. Without these core experiences, I would not have been able to deepen my knowledge in Asian studies.
 

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

During my time at Mason, I am most proud of improving my Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish, helping our school's Central Asia and Caucasus organization, and learning from the many people I've had the fortune of meeting while at Mason.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career? Please give an example of this impact if possible.

There are many people who made a difference during my time at Mason. The entire Korean department has supported me, especially Dr. Young A Jung, Dr. Jihye Moon, Professor Dae Yong Kim, and Dr. Hei Sook Yoo. Dr. Jung and Dr. Moon have notified me of scholarships and various programs to improve my Korean and have helped me figure out my research interests.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

After graduation, I will continue to take intensive Korean classes in Korea. After completing the course, I intend to return to the United States and apply to graduate school to study languages and/or cultures. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in teaching world languages or study abroad advising.