Claire Yoo
  • January 15, 2026

  • Honor recognizes the fourth-year international studies major for outstanding academic performance and service to the School of Social Sciences, UCI campus and community

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Claire Yoo, fourth-year UC Irvine international studies major, has been awarded the Social Sciences Alumni Academic Excellence Scholarship. The honor recognizes students for outstanding academic performance and service to the School of Social Sciences, UCI campus and community and carries a $1,000 prize. Below, the outstanding undergrad from Portland shares more about her time at UC Irvine and what’s next on her professional pathway as her time as an Anteater comes to close.

Q: What drew you to international studies, and specifically at UCI? What interests you most about your work?

A: Learning about and discussing international issues and histories has always been very interesting to me, and I wanted to choose a major where I would be able to deepen my understanding on a wider range of issues and understand the interconnected nature of them as well. Coming from a family where one of my grandparents had been a diplomat, I believe I’ve also been impacted by having such topics being commonly included in family conversations. UCI felt like the right place for me to pursue my studies for various personal and academic reasons. I was excited to be part of a program where I would be able to take a multitude of international studies specific courses but also courses in various other academic disciplines. Throughout my years here, I think this has been a key point for me in really understanding the interconnectedness and complexity of the various issues that our world faces. Additionally, UCI felt like the right place to be as it is near my city of birth, so it felt like a full circle moment to be back!

Q: When are you planning to graduate, and what’s next?

A: I am excited to be finishing my degree and graduating in June of this year! Although I anticipate it will be a bittersweet moment, I am excited for my next steps. Although I am keeping an open mind in terms of specific career choices, I hope to end up in a spot where I am able to continue to work with the topics that I love in a professional setting - whether that is within international organizations, governmental positions, etc.

Q: What would you consider your biggest accomplishment at UCI?

A: One thing I’m proud of when looking back at my experience in UCI is how I worked to make the most out of my 4 years. Some highlights include studying abroad at Yonsei University, spending a summer interning in Washington D.C., interning and volunteering with various other organizations both in and out of the country, and getting involved with on-campus roles! I am grateful for the various scholarships that have assisted me through this process including: the Moore Scholarship for Community and Social Change, the Social Sciences Alumni Academic Excellence Scholarship, the UCEAP Global Scholarship, the UC Irvine Directors Scholarship, the Margaret Oser Scholarship, and the Korean Honors Scholarship.

Q: What other activities have you been involved with during your time as an Anteater?

A: There are various activities that I’ve been involved in including volunteer work, on-campus activities, and internships. In terms of on-campus involvement, I worked with the International Center as a Scholar Coordinator for 2 years, I’ve been directing for the UCI Model United Nations club for 3 years, and I was an intern for a research team in the School of Social Ecology for 2 years. In the Orange County area, I have experience interning at a congressional office and working as an intern at the King Sejong Institute. In terms of out-of-state activities, I’ve worked as an intern for the IRS HQ in Washington D.C., as a Research and Translation Intern at an NGO with UN special consultative status in Seoul, as a Translator for the Korea Vietnam Peace Foundation in Seoul, and as a Design Editor for KoRoot in Seoul. I am grateful to have had all these experiences throughout my college career, and I’ve carried the lessons that each experience has taught me to fuel my goals.

Q: Who has played an important mentorship role in your life thus far and why?

A: My parents and older brother have been my biggest mentors throughout college as well as life in general, but I am also very appreciative of the various professors and supervisors who have provided helpful advice and knowledge throughout the past few years.

Q: Are there any unique life experiences that have played a major role in where and who you are today? What challenges or hurdles have you faced in getting to where you are today?

A: One challenge that I have faced is living with an autoimmune disease since my 3rd year of high school. This has impacted my life in both physical and mental ways, but I think my college years really taught me how to form a routine that best supports myself when dealing with symptoms. 2025 was a year with positive test results, so I am excited to hopefully transition into remission in the coming years.

Q: Where can you most often be found on campus?

A: Although I spend most of my time off-campus as a commuter, I can be found most often around the social science buildings or in the Student Center when I’m at UCI!

Q: What’s your best memory thus far from your undergraduate experience at UCI?

A: The memories during my 4 years at UCI that stand out the most to me are my experiences studying abroad and interning in Washington D.C. As I put myself more and more out of my comfort zone, I was able to meet diverse groups of people and experience personal growth in ways I couldn’t have imagined previously!

 

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