Yunhui Jeong
As part of this year’s incoming cohort, Yunhui Jeong brings a strong interest in exploring the relationship between emotions and language teaching practices, as well as technology- and media-assisted language teaching. Alongside her doctoral studies, she teaches beginning-level Korean, where her teaching and research interests closely inform one another.
From the outset, Yunhui describes her experience in the SLA program as intellectually engaging and interdisciplinary. What stood out to her early on was the opportunity to explore and integrate ideas across different contexts. She highlights the support of faculty, mentors, and peers, noting that their collaborative and approachable nature has helped her grow both academically and professionally. Workshops and guest lectures have also played an important role in shaping her first year and gave her space to reflect on her academic path as well as future career goals.
Like many first-year doctoral students, Yunhui is navigating the process of refining her research interests. She reflects on the challenge of balancing her initial ideas with new directions that have emerged through her engagement with the field. At the same time, she finds this process rewarding, as it allows her to apply concepts in different contexts and expand her perspective as a researcher.
Outside the classroom, Madison has offered a dynamic and at times surprising experience. While she initially felt confident about handling cold winters, experiencing a Wisconsin winter firsthand shifted that perspective. At the same time, the changing seasons have encouraged her to explore a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, skating, and fishing, which has brought variety to her life beyond her studies.
In managing the demands of coursework, teaching, research, and personal life, Yunhui has developed an approach that views these responsibilities as complementary rather than competing. She notes that her teaching often raises questions she later explores through theoretical frameworks in her coursework, while what she learns academically helps her refine her teaching practices. This reciprocal relationship allows her to stay motivated across different aspects of her work.
Moments of connection have also been central to her experience in the program. Through a supportive cohort, an encouraging mentor, and guidance from faculty and program staff, Yunhui has found a strong sense of belonging. She emphasizes the importance of mutual encouragement among peers, as well as the role of SLA events in creating opportunities for both academic exchange and social connection.
Beyond her academic work, Yunhui enjoys reading and analyzing drama scripts, as well as video editing. She hopes to find time during her stay in Madison to revisit and edit videos she has filmed in the past, as she has not yet had the opportunity to complete these creative projects.
One particularly memorable moment from her first year took place in her Korean language classroom. During her final class of the spring semester, her students surprised her with handwritten letters in Korean, using what they had learned throughout the course. The experience left a lasting impression and continues to serve as a meaningful source of motivation for both her teaching and academic work.
Another memorable experience she shared with us through a photo captures one of her first social moments in Madison, where she carved pumpkins with friends. This gathering marked her first proper hangout in the city and reflects the early stages of building friendships and a sense of community in a new environment.
Looking ahead, Yunhui is excited to continue refining her research interests and strengthening the connection between her teaching and academic work. She looks forward to engaging with future guest lecturers and continuing to grow as both a researcher and educator within the SLA community.