Fulbright scholar Chong-Jin Oh of the Republic of Korea has discovered Oswego State as a “remote” and family-friendly abode for his 10-month Fulbright visiting scholar experience.
“Fulbright is one of the most prestigious scholarship grants,” Oh said. “As a Fulbrighter I was very much honored and proud to be one of them.”
As an associate professor and chair of international relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), a college over 6,700 miles from Oswego, New York, Oh hopes to diversify his role in academia.
“HUFS and SUNY Oswego have been cooperating a lot throughout the years and we do have many of our students here studying,” Oh said. “Many Koreans have come here through my university.”
The exchange professor from Seoul, South Korea, a city that is home to over 10 million people, has experienced a change in scenery with the rural landscape he now views from his fourth floor office in Mahar.
“Sometimes I read books by lakeside with my chair,” Oh said. “It’s very calm and community-oriented.”
Oh, who is fluent in five languages, specializes in Turkish cultures and politics. He is currently studying the ‘Korea-Turkey Middle Power Cooperation and its Impact on the American Alliance System.’
“I will teach for next semester about modern Asia,” Oh said. “The SUNY school is our sister university. It’s a residential campus which is quite safe and has a good atmosphere for doing research.”
As a visiting professor, Oh is not alone in his venture toward academic achievement. He is acquainted with faculty associate Murat Yasar of the Oswego State history department.
The Fulbright scholar grant, a highly competitive research exchange program, awarded 30 applicants a chance to study outside their native country this year.
Oh said he encourages students to apply to the program, which receives 8,000 applicants a year, according to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“I have never been the U.S. and this is my first experience,” Oh said. “This experience will allow me to interact with the U.S. culture and absorb more about economies and politics.”
He traveled to Oswego State with his wife and daughter, who is in fifth grade.
When not involved in intensive research or assisting students, Oh takes advantage of the on campus amenities.
“I [live within] walking distance [of] here and I have a lot of other facilities that I can enjoy, like swimming [and] a wonderful environment for jogging,” Oh said.
Oh explained that the goal of his Fulbright Scholar opportunity is to achieve a greater understanding of the world around him.
“The idea of Fulbright was of exchanging knowledge and networking with others,” Oh said.
Oh has yet to experience Oswego’s harsh winter weather, but it will not deter him from his contentment.
“The weather has been so nice,” Oh said. “For kids, snow is a very exciting thing.”
In a 45-minute drive to Syracuse, Oh dines and shops at Korean restaurants and markets.
“I don’t miss anything here…I have everything here,” Oh said. “The U.S. is a multinational country…I have access to all I need.”
