Yea Ju Chang
President, Co-Founder
She/her/hers
Struggling with academics due to personal problems in my life, I was unable to attend school for most of my adolescence and had to take the GED in Korea to graduate middle and high school. With several scholarships and financial support from kind relatives, I was able to move to the US over four years ago with the dream of becoming a veterinarian of exotic animals. Living outside of your native country can be a real challenge, especially when you have trouble with the language. With my limited English, I had a difficult time with classes as well as socializing with other students. But with dedication and hard work, I was eventually able to excel academically and become the vice president of Irvine Valley College. As the chair of the Inter-Club Council at IVC, I often met international students who reminded me that I’m not alone in my troubles. Through SHISAS, I hope to assist in eliminating some of the barriers that international students face during their time in the US. One fun fact about me is that my nonhuman family consists of two dogs, an Asian water monitor, four iguanas, two reticulated pythons, and a fully grown tortoise the size of a small crib.
Siyun Lee
Vice President, Communications Manager
She/her/hers
I am currently a student at Santa Monica College, majoring in biochemistry. My ultimate career goal is to work in the medical field, hopefully as a physician. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always enjoyed learning English and wanted to study in the US. However, I was too busy studying for the college entrance exam like most students in Korea and gradually forgot about my childhood dream. When my test results didn’t come out as I had hoped, I decided to make a big change in my life by moving to the US which is considered the land of opportunity. Despite the excitement of meeting new friends and getting good grades in school, living in the US as an international student was quite difficult for me. For instance, I struggled finding an apartment, using public transportation and even opening up my own bank account. So, I hope international students who are starting a new life in the US can receive the help they need from our organization. One interesting fact about me is that I was once a concertmaster for the Apgujeong Middle School Orchestra.
Jenny Kim
Advisor, Co-Founder
She/her/hers
I’m a recent graduate of New York University where I double-majored in sociology and politics. Although I’ve lived in the US since I was nine, the truth is that I’ve been an undocumented immigrant for the better part of my life. Due to the various academic and legal obstacles I’ve faced as an undocumented immigrant, I understand firsthand how difficult getting acclimated to a new environment can be. As an aspiring immigration lawyer, I plan on helping all those experiencing similar issues. I started SHISAS with my co-founders for this express purpose and hope to continue working for this organization long after finishing law school. One fun fact about me is that I’m a huge music snob enthusiast. Some of the genres that I enjoy are hip-hop, techno, house, soul, disco, R&B, and rock & roll. I create amazing playlists by genre, so feel free to ask me for one. I also recently made a top ten list of the greatest bassist of all time that I’m proud to share with anyone who’s interested.