Asia Campus Students Win Funding to Record Korean War Stories

Five U of U Asia Campus Communication students are working on recording stories about the Korean War after each of them were selected to receive funding from the Undergraduate Research Opportunities program (UROP).

The UAC students' project, termed “Longbridge,” seeks a connecting link between Koreans and other foreigners that may not have been formed if not for the Korean War. It also seeks to unite generations by disseminating the stories to internet-connected younger audiences. The project is under ther supervision of Dr. Paul Rose and is made possible by funding the students individually applied for and were awarded through the U of U’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities program (UROP). Each of the applicants generated their own proposals and worked with Dr. Rose through several revisions in the competitive process to receive the highly sought-after funding.

"Having five undergraduates receive funding for the same research project through UROP is highly unsusual and demonstrates the importance of Project Longbridge," said Dr. Kent Ono, chair of the Communication Department. 

Through Fall 2015, Jin Ho Choi, Kuno Lee, Si Hyun Park, Sharon Yoo, and Dahee Yun -- all majoring in Communication -- will recruit, record, archive and publish stories about the unique personal relationships between Koreans and Americans formed as a result of the Korean War.

"The bilingual students, UAC international campus, and media program uniquely situates the Department of Communication to tackle this important project," said Dr. Rose, director of the UAC Undergraduate Communication Program. "It is also an endeavor made more urgent by an aging population that experienced the Korean War. There are compelling stories that need to be documented and told before they are lost forever.”

A forthcoming website, longbridge.org, will be established as the research nears completion. Contact information, project details, and archived stories will be available there. Learn more about the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program here. Learn more about the University of Utah's Asia Campus here.