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Britney Hong, a 2024 HDFS graduate, aims to apply School of Education-acquired skills surrounding ethically and culturally inclusive service as a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan.
Dedicated to fostering inclusive learning experiences, Britney Hong draws inspiration from her family and culture to inform her work to create a sustainable impact through language and education.
Hong, a double major in the UNC School of Education’s Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) program and American Studies, has maintained an interest in education, not just for its human-centered focus but for its overall impact.
“I’ve always been drawn to education,” Hong said. “School was a place I loved from a young age because I saw its power in uplifting underrepresented communities and serving as a tool for representation.”
Hong’s family has remained a consistent factor in her passion for education. Growing up, she often heard stories from her parents about their limited access to education. As a first-generation college student, Hong’s parents emphasized the impact of education and instilled in her a deep gratitude for the opportunity to learn.
“As an Asian American, I did not see many representations of teachers that looked like me in the classroom, which inspired me to tap into this field,” Hong said. “I believe that offering a multicultural perspective is key for today’s students in our evolving world.”
In August 2024, Hong will begin her post-graduate career in Taiwan as part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational and cultural exchange initiative. The program empowers scholars to build sustainable connections between the people of the U.S. and other countries.
As part of the Fulbright program, Hong will have the chance to hone her skills learned within the HDFS program and School to promote cultural diversity and storytelling through language immersion initiatives while making complex topics accessible and enjoyable for young learners.
Discovery in action
“From high school into college, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful impact and connect closely with others,” Hong said. “Initially, I thought politics was the avenue to achieve this, which led me to pursue political science. However, I realized that working within government didn’t align with my desire for a more direct and personal impact on people’s lives.”
It was during her sophomore year that Hong explored education by taking EDUC 181 with Yuliana Rodriguez, Ph.D., a clinical associate professor and the School’s senior honors thesis program director.
“I enjoyed having Dr. Rodriguez as my professor,” Hong said. “Her teaching style was intentional, and I appreciated how she incorporated her Latina heritage into her lessons. Seeing this inspired me to pursue HDFS, hoping that one day I could infuse my own heritage into my teaching approach in a similar way.”
During her time at Carolina, Hong also has consistently pursued ventures that expanded her skill set through varied experiences. She was honored as an Eve Carson scholar for the 2023-24 academic year, interned with the School’s Diverse and Resilient Educators Advised through Mentorship (DREAM) program, and served as an Ignite Fellow with Teach For America, where she taught a multicultural and diverse curriculum that skillfully integrated social-emotional learning with literacy concepts.
“I walk away with a profound appreciation for cultural preservation and global education,” Hong said. “During my time at Carolina, I have learned a lot of underrepresented stories in history and contemporary society, ranging from Asian American graphic novels to Black aesthetics. I hope to share these stories with my Taiwanese students, so they understand that the American identity isn’t linear while encouraging them to be critical.
Commitment to international education and language
In fall 2022, Hong put her passion for international education and dual-language immersion into action during a study abroad experience at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. Hong had the opportunity to gain insights into the university’s child and family studies, paralleling the curriculum within HDFS. She took courses ranging from topics on society and human behavior and international relations.
Following her study abroad experience, Hong serves as Study Abroad Peer Ambassador through Carolina’s Study Abroad office where she engaged with fellow students on various programs and shared about her time abroad.
These experiences were yet another testament to Hong’s commitment to exploring multicultural education and language on a global scale.
“Hearing the perspectives from my classmates in South Korea was really fascinating,” Hong said. “There were two Americans in the class, and everyone else was from countries including France, Switzerland, and Japan. We delved into quite a few challenging topics, but it was great to see how we connected even though we all came from different areas of the world.”
Hong first learned about the Fulbright Program toward the end of her sophomore year through a friend who had received a Fulbright for research. Intrigued by the opportunity, Hong kept it in mind while she embarked on a study abroad experience.
This immersive venture in South Korea deeply impacted her, sparking a desire to live abroad again.
“I was drawn to Fulbright’s dedication to international and multicultural education, which I believe is crucial in our increasingly globalized world,” Hong said. “Taiwan’s unique blend of Chinese and Indigenous influences and its recent linguistic shifts towards Mandarin and English were interesting to me, making it an ideal destination for my Fulbright journey.”
Vision for the future
Discovering HDFS’s interdisciplinary structure also resonated deeply with Hong. The field’s focus on education while embracing diverse career paths beyond teaching appealed to her passion for working with young learners and creating lasting impact within education, policy, and dual-language immersion initiatives.
As part of the program, students engage in a semester-long internship providing valuable real-world experience in their desired career field. During Hong’s internship experience with DREAM, she conducted three oral history interviews with the Asian American student teachers in the cohort, asking them questions at the intersection of education, community, culture, and representation.
“For students entering the School of Education, I’d recommend staying open-minded and exploring diverse activities and internships,” Hong said. “You’ll be able to gain so many skills along the way.”
Looking ahead, Hong envisions applying the knowledge gained through her studies in HDFS to various facets of her community and career.
“At UNC, especially in the School of Education, I’ve been able to learn more about being empathetic and an active listener,” Hong said. “These skills will allow me to connect with people from all areas of life.”
While on the cusp of venturing abroad to foster educational impact in Taiwan, Hong extends her gratitude to her family and community for their support during her educational journey. To Hong, their collective effort behind her work motivates her to share this appreciation for life-long learning with her future students, while maintaining a commitment to exploring the intersections of society, language, and education.
“One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is to take an intersectional approach,” Hong said. “It’s about recognizing that no single factor defines a person or situation. There are so many layers and experiences that come together to shape who we are and what we face. I’m committed to continuing this approach in everything I do.”
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