Seung Woo (Benjamin) Lee

Seung-Woo (Benjamin) Lee
University of Toronto
International Relations
Sophomore
Richmond Hill, ON

My name is Ben, and I am a second-year student at the University of Toronto studying Economics and International Relations, with a minor in Political Science. During the past academic year, I worked as a Research Assistant at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy under the supervision of Professor Mark Manger, where I researched South Korean exchange rate policy. Over the course of my research, I was inspired to learn more about South Korea’s economy and policy, and hope to translate it into a meaningful contribution to the world.

In light of this, I intend to pursue a career in economic development at a multilateral institution such as the World Bank or the OECD, aiming to gain a sense of fulfillment in the long term by finding the middle ground between sound theory and real world outcomes. To reach this goal, I plan to follow my undergraduate education with a master’s degree in economics.

Currently, I am interning as a Summer Business Associate at the Royal Bank of Canada, where I am gaining valuable experience analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data in a professional setting.
In my free time, I enjoy playing jazz music on my trumpet, am an avid reader (some of his recent favorites are Simon Rich, Robert Caro, and Haruki Murakami), and am a big fan of comedians Conan O’Brien, John Mulaney, and Bill Hader.

I am honored to be a recipient of this scholarship, and am immensely grateful to the Seoul National University Alumni Association for supporting my dreams and allowing me to pursue them with a renewed sense of direction and conviction. As a SNUAA scholar, I will be committed to giving back to the world meaningfully while continuing to challenge myself and remain passionate about my goals.