University of Iowa music major Kim Lybrand of Ashland, Missouri, has been awarded a 2024 U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study at Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea, this summer for an intensive Korean language program.

The CLS scholarship is a U.S. Department of State program and is intended to help broaden the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages while building relationships between people of the U.S. and other countries.

Lybrand credits her heritage and professors at Iowa for sparking her curiosity for Korean culture and language.

“I was born in Korea and adopted by an American family, so my visits to Korea as someone who appears Korean but is culturally American led me to realize the complexities of being a transracial adoptee,” said Lybrand. “My efforts to connect with Korea have been rewarding but challenging, and they have instilled in me a drive to understand Korean language and society fully and authentically.”

“I hope that as I build proficiency in Korean and my understanding of Korean society, I can help bridge understanding between Korean and American people and support others who are trying to connect to Korea."

CLS participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period, and later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers.

“After CLS I want to continue language studies at further language education programs in Korea,” shared Lybrand. “I hope that as I build proficiency in Korean and my understanding of Korean society, I can help bridge understanding between Korean and American people and support others who are trying to connect to Korea. I want to pursue work in post-adoption services and research adoptee experiences and racial and ethnic minority mental health. In Korea, I want to research cultural beliefs and how they affect single and vulnerable mothers, orphans, and domestic and international adoption.”

Like many applicants, Lybrand discovered that applying for a CLS often comes with its own rewards beyond the scholarship itself.

“After I submitted my essays to CLS, I realized that whether I received the scholarship or not, working through the CLS application helped me dig deeper into my motivations for studying Korean, my plan to make Korean language a central part of my life and career, and how my background and personal experiences have become strengths that will help me in my work,” stated Lybrand. “I’m thankful for the guidance of Dr. Karen Wachsmuth, who gave me honest and insightful advice throughout the process.”

Learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.