Sophia Sohn '26

Finding my Inspiration Through Global Dialogue

My name is Sophia Sohn, and I am a sophomore at Boston College originally from Seoul, South Korea. I chose IS because I came into BC not really knowing what I wanted to do. I was interested in pushing myself out of my comfort zone and being able to take classes across multiple disciplines to take advantage of the liberal arts education. I am now taking classes in economics, philosophy, history, business law, and a whole wide range of subjects. I believe that having this holistic approach will shape me into a well rounded student who can thrive in any career path. 

With that being said, career wise, I am interested in using my knowledge in the political economy and international relations as well as skills such as research, academic writing, and analytical thinking to make a positive impact on the world.  

My experiences with the IS program greatly shaped my future aspirations. Two special programs that I have learned so much from are Global Conversations and the Global Engagement Portal. I have had the pleasure of being involved in Global Conversations since my freshman year as a conversations leader. Global Conversations is a student-led program that sparks discussions about relevant current issues. Born out of COVID, this program has grown to bridge together students at BC and students from universities all over the world. Many of my conversations I have hosted were in collaboration with Sophia University in Japan and Sogang University in South Korea as part of the Global Korea Project. Through zoom, we are able to transcend the limitations of being in different geographical locations and are able to host fruitful conversations about the world around us. 

On top of Global Conversations, I worked on the Global Engagement Portal as a portal curator and had the opportunity to host discussions with influential change-makers from all corners of the world. One of my most memorable discussions was with Hector from Johannesburg, South Africa, who runs a non-profit organization that strives to make a difference in his local community by promoting creative entrepreneurism in the area. These interactions, overall, have consistently fueled my passion for transformative work and I aspire to channel this inspiration into my time left here at BC. 

Sophia Sohn '26
February 2024