Meet Kara Hwang, a junior double majoring in History and History: Social Studies Education, whose love for learning and teaching the past continues to grow at Michigan State University. From her work as a History Scholar and Honors College researcher to her involvement with student organizations supporting international students and future educators, Kara has embraced every opportunity to learn, connect, and lead. In this spotlight, she shares what inspired her academic path, the professors who shaped her journey, and her hopes for graduate study in history.
What inspired you to pursue majors in History and History: Social Studies Education?
I always wanted to be a teacher and loved learning about history in schools. When the time came for me to think about what I want to do in the future, it dawned on me that I can be a history teacher. As I am about to finish my junior year, though, I am hoping to further my study in history to graduate school and become a professor––just another type of history learner and educator.
Can you talk about your involvement as a History Scholar?
Being in the History Scholars program gave me an opportunity to meet more historians from various fields. One of the benefits of being a scholar is the chance to have small group meetings with visiting scholars and learning about ongoing symposiums and conferences. As much as I enjoyed being able to meet other history majors, I loved the chance to meet people outside of MSU––which would have been difficult to do on my own.
What type of research are you doing in the Honors College?
I was offered Professorial Assistantship with admission to MSU and Honors College, which allowed me to work as a research assistant to a faculty member starting from my freshman year. The PA is only for two years, so I applied for another HC research program, the Research Scholars, and am currently working as one. I am working for a faculty in RCHA, researching transnational development and history of musical theaters, especially between Broadway, West End, and Korea, Japan, Germany, and Austria. I have worked on literature reviews, archival research, transcription, translation, and writing. I have learned so much from the professor, not only about how to be a wonderful researcher but also in terms of navigating life and academic challenges.
Any History professors who have made a lasting impact on you?
There are so many that it is hard for me to name only a few. Dr. Segal is a great professor and mentor. I enjoyed taking his classes and am grateful for his help in my thesis writing process. Dr. Keith has great insights, and I love the discussions we got to do in his classes. Both of them always welcomed me to their office hours and answered copious amounts of my questions and never failed to give me thoughtful answers and kind advice.
What extracurriculars, clubs, networks, etc. are you involved in?
I am on e-boards for the International Scholars Advisory Board (ISAB), which is a RSO representing international students in Honors College, and Future Teachers of Color (FTC), a RSO for students in College of Education.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
Right now, I am planning on applying for graduate study in history.
What advice would you give to incoming students who want to get the most out of their MSU experience?
You have to be ready to say yes to every opportunity that comes to you. It might feel scary and seem like a lot of work. You can always apply for things and decide afterwards whether you really want to commit to it or not, but if you do not even try, you will never find out. Also, professors are not that scary––go talk to them and you will be glad that you have.
If you could time travel to any historical moment or era, where would you go and why?
Since you asked for it, this is a very nerdy answer. I am currently obsessed with makings of modern nation-state in post-colonial Asia. As much as it is a horrendous idea wanting to go back to the time of political and social turbulence, it would be fascinating to get to talk to people of the time and observe how they fathom the idea and formulate their own answers to the question. By the time we have time travel, I hope we also have impeccable disguise and language support technology that will allow me to venture out to these places and talk to people without causing any harm, both to the historical timeline and to myself.