NSF IRES
THE NSF IRES US-KOREA ADVANCED STUDY INSTITUTE AT KAIST
Welcome, NSF IRES Fellows!
We are excited to have you join us at the 2024 NSF IRES US-Korea this summer! Below, you will find vital information to make your experience at NSF IRES US-Korea a great one.
NSF IRES US-KOREA FELLOWS
This program is designed to provide transformative active learning by pursuing an innovative project-based approach in which students learn about a specific research project by working in a cohort of research teams solving grand societal challenges.
WHAT TO PACK
Please bring a notebook, pens or pencils, toiletries, and essential medications. A laptop is required. We recommend getting a cell phone and charger, umbrella, bathing suit, casual and comfortable warm weather clothes, a light jacket for cool evenings, and most importantly, comfortable walking shoes for field trips and the travel week.
PROGRAM RULES & POLICIES
The NSF IRES US-Korea Program brings together a diverse community of participants to educate a future workforce possessing a holistic understanding of smart transportation concepts and emerging AI techniques, along with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills honed via real-world applications. To this end, our student recruitment strategies are meticulously conceived to involve diverse yet competitive student/institutional sets. As a result, the program is filled with talented young minds who are bright, inventive, and diverse. There is no doubt that this program will serve as a solid foundation for the IRES fellows’ theses and research papers.
We want each participant to feel safe and protected in our community. We abide by a nondiscrimination policy regarding race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, genetic information, and age. Please be respectful, responsible, and fair during program and extracurricular activities. Please commit to being on time and productive for daily lectures and afternoon project team meeting sessions. Listen to new ideas with an open mind, and expect to explore and expand your thoughts. Anyone who deliberately violates the rules and the spirit of the NSF IRES US-Korea program, including the respect and tolerance we owe each other, will be sent back home.
FIELD TRIPS
The Thursday of the program is a “travel" day. You will witness state-of-the-art technologies and techniques used for a smart city. We will coordinate and arrange everything for you.
NSF IRES US-Korea of 2022: 6 cohorts of student teams solving impending grand challenges
IRES FelloWs Testimonial
“The NSF IRES program has been a truly transformative educational and cultural experience, and will have a lasting impression on my life. I look forward to continuing the work with the program faculty over the coming months for publication.”
Mitchell Manware, graduate student of Yale University
“My experience with the NSF IRES US-Korea program has been stupendous. The impressiveness originates not only from being able to meet different kinds of people from all over the United States and KAIST, who I can cooperate with, but also the excellent curriculum and learning opportunities the program provides. As a second year PhD student, participating in this program for two years has given me a colossal advantage because I experienced first hand the theories and applications of machine learning in transportation through exceptional lectures, guest speakers, and group research.”
Hyun Kim, PhD candidate of New Jersey Institute of Technology
“I participated in the NSF IRES US-Korea program during the summer of 2022. I applied to this program with the intention of challenging myself and expanding my academic horizons. Little did I know that this experience would soon become one of the most fulfilling and transformative catalysts, not only for my academic pursuits but also for my personal growth. This program provided me with the opportunity to engage and connect with individuals from across America and Korea. I gained insights into the intersectionality of various academic disciplines that we were all exploring and theorizing about. The program fostered a collaborative action-learning environment brimming with talented individuals. The lectures exposed me to concepts that I would never have encountered otherwise, thanks to the expertise of the many guest speakers. Additionally, the field trips enriched my worldview by allowing me to immerse myself in cultures that were both rich and welcoming. Through the group project, I was able to reinforce my self-confidence as I ventured beyond my comfort zone, synthesizing ideas from diverse fields. I am immensely grateful for the guidance and mentorship provided by Professor Choi and the entire program team. The memories I have formed in such a brief period will remain with me for the rest of my life.”
Atithi Shrestha, undergraduate student of Texas A&M University
“The program has been nothing short of transformative, and I am deeply appreciative of the support and guidance I received throughout this incredible journey. From the moment I learned that I had been selected as a fellow, I knew that this experience would be life-changing, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Additionally, the Program not only provided me with financial travel assistance but also opened doors to a world of knowledge, cultural exchange, academic development, and personal growth.
Studying abroad allowed me to immerse myself in a diverse and intellectually stimulating environment, fostering collaborations with incredibly talented individuals from various backgrounds. Moreover, the mentorship and guidance from the program coordinators (Prof. Choi and Prof. Yeo and team) were invaluable in helping me navigate the challenges and seize the various opportunities that came my way. This experience has significantly broadened my engineering horizons, deepened my understanding of AI simulations and our interconnected world in general, and will continue to play an invaluable role in my academic and personal journey. Additionally, my stay in Korea has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of embracing cultural diversity.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the individuals involved in the NSF IRES US-Korea ATI3 Program, from the dedicated selection committee to the caring program staff and my esteemed fellow participants. The bonds and friendships formed during this program are something I will always cherish, and the memories will forever hold a special place in my heart. This experience has not only enriched my academic and professional journey but has also taught me important life lessons that I am readily sharing with my peers and colleagues at Purdue University. I am committed to using this opportunity to contribute to the advancement of engineering, and to inspire and support future generations of STEM students. Once again, thank you for this life-changing experience. Your support has made a significant difference in my life, and I am determined to pay it forward by making a positive impact in the engineering community and beyond.”
Bortiorkor “Naa” Alabi, PhD candidate of Purdue University
This NSF IRES web page is based upon work supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1953414.