서울대학교 미주동창회 Seoul National University Alumni Association in the USA
Application Deadline: Feb. 24, 2023, 11:59 pm PST
KSEA is pleased to announce the 2023 Young Professional Forum (YPF) program to be held from July 3rd to July 7th, 2023, in Seoul, South Korea. Graduate students and postdocs with US permanent residency or citizenship who have not attended previous YGF or YPF are eligible to apply and participate in this program. For undergraduate students, please see the separate announcement for the Young Generation Forum (YGF).
Each year since 2002, the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) and the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) have been hosting the Young Generation Forum / Young Professional Forum (YGF/YPF) by bringing young Korean Heritage scientists and engineers from all over the world to Korea. The goal is to share the Korean vision of science and technology around the world.
Eligibility and Criteria
- Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in a science or engineering field*:
*Postdoctoral researchers must be within 5 years of the acquisition of the doctoral degree
- Born on or after January 1, 1988
- Able to commit to attendance by March 10th, 2023
- Able to communicate in English and Korean
- U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents (with verification of US Passport or US Permanent Resident card)
- Have not attended YGF or YPF in any previous years
- Deadline for application is February 24, 2023, 11:59 pm PST.
Note: Additional consideration will be provided for those who are socially disadvantaged (orphans, single parents, adoptees, etc.)
YPF Program Highlights
- Trip to Korea includes hotel, meals, and activities
- Airfare support to Korea
- Opportunity for global networking with scientists and engineers
- Attend lectures by industry leaders
- Heritage and cultural tours
- Once-in-a-lifetime experience
This year, YPF will bring together 60 of the brightest ethnic Koreans from all over the world, including Korea itself, US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Russia, Australia, and China. KSEA is proud to be sending 6 delegates from the United States to YPF.
YPF is a place for mutual exchange, and for strengthening and fostering the capacity of future generations of domestic and overseas talent. In addition, the goals are to provide training and networking opportunities to grow into global leaders; identify the current status of science and technology development amongst our countries and promote academic exchanges.
Program Summary
| DATE | PROGRAM* |
| Monday, 7/3 | Registration & hotel check-in, Ice breakers, Opening ceremony, Welcome keynote speech, Group discussion sessions, Country Representative Presentations, Welcome dinner |
| Tuesday, 7/4 | Cultural tour |
| Wednesday, 7/5 | Opening Ceremony of the World Korean Scientists and Engineers Conference, YGF Country Booths, Poster presentation, Group discussion results, Networking dinner |
| Thursday, 7/6 | Industry Tour |
| Friday, 7/7 | Attend the Next Generation Leaders Session of the World Korean Scientists and Engineers Conference & Closing ceremony |
* Program is subject to change
Application (you must complete all three parts)
- Sign-up for or renew your KSEA membership at the KSEA membership page
- $15 for graduate student members
- Fill out and submit the YPF Application
- Submit proof of legal US Residency
- US Passport, US Green Card, US Permanent Resident card –
- Social security cards, driver’s licenses, state ID cards, and bank statements are NOT valid proofs of legal residency.
- To help us match your file with your application, please name your file:
LastName_Firstname_Birthyear.ext (example: Doe_John_2000.pdf). Instructions are also given in the application.
Please review the FAQ below for additional information. Please write to yg.committee@ksea.org with questions.
Regards,
Clara Kim, Andy Kim, Matthew Piljoo Jeon
2022 KSEA YGF & YPF Co-Chair
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility Questions
Q: I am starting a graduate program this fall. Am I still eligible?
A: No, you are not eligible.
Q: Do post-baccalaureate programs count as graduate degrees?
A: No, unfortunately, they do not.
Q: I am a young professional (i.e. non-student); can I still apply?
A: Unfortunately, no.
Q: I have attended school in the US, but I am not a citizen nor a permanent resident. May I still apply?
A: Unfortunately, no.
Q: I am not a US Citizen / Permanent Resident. Can I still apply?
A: KSEA is only in charge of the US applicants. Other countries (e.g. Canada) must apply through their sponsoring organization.
Q: Do I need to be active in KSEA, or a current member?
A: Yes. The only requirement is that you are a paid/registered member of KSEA at the time of application.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the eligibility requirements?
A: No, unfortunately not.
Application Questions
Q: Is a copy and paste from an unofficial transcript OK for the application?
A: Yes, it is. However, all information on your application may be subject to verification.
Q: What are the criteria for judging applicants?
A: The admissions process is holistic. We are looking for three things: academic achievement, leadership achievement (more weight given in regards to KSEA activity) and/or interesting experiences. It isn’t necessary to show achievement in all three aspects, but please try to show positive attributes in at least one of these aspects. Also, as this is an intense networking forum, we want to see that you can handle long days that are full of meeting many new and very interesting people, sightseeing, and working on team building exercises.
Q: What should I do if my summer plans are unknown?
A: Unfortunately, you will need to determine your summer plans before applying. We highly discourage people from canceling as KOFST does not wait-list candidates and cancellations reduce the number of spots accepted from the U.S. the following year. On the other hand, you may submit your application, and can let us know by the application deadline if you still would like to attend.
Q: Are there any other special considerations?
A: Yes, KOFST encourages socially disadvantaged students to apply, such as being an adoptee, an orphan, from a single parent family, etc. There is a place in the application to indicate this.
Q: What does it mean to be a finalist versus getting the final notification from KOFST?
A: Finalist means that you were nominated by KSEA to attend, and are likely to attend. However, final acceptance is pending review by the KOFST.
Program Questions
Q: Is the trip really covered?!
A: Yes, food and lodging is fully covered by KOFST at no expense to you. You will have to purchase your own flight tickets and will be reimbursed after the conference, up to $1,701 (West Coast), $2,243 (Central), and $2,322 (East Coast), for a round-trip. Your location (west, central, or east) is determined by the address listed on your application.
Q: What if my round-trip flight costs more than the allocated amount?
A: Unfortunately, summertime flights to Korea are expensive and the reimbursement amount might not cover the entire amount. Attendees are expected to cover the difference, but we hope that the free lodging, free meals, and the flight reimbursement (plus the experience!) offset any major financial burden.
Q: Can I arrive earlier or leave later than the YPF program dates?
A: Yes, we encouraged participants to arrive early or stay later for further sightseeing, family visits, or post-forum meet-ups with your new YPF friends depending on your schedule. You may purchase your airplane ticket to accommodate this extended schedule. However rooming and meals outside of the YPF program will be on your own. You may coordinate with your fellow US attendees via Facebook group or email once accepted.
Q: What is the purpose of this trip?
A: The goal of this program is to increase collaboration and create networks between promising young students with Korean heritage from around the world. The idea is to start an intellectual / cultural exchange, and to help promote ties between ethnic Koreans around the world as the future global leaders.