A Curiosity That Began With a Song
Jason is headed to Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, this fall. Flying with him will be something he’s always held close to his heart: a deep and unwavering curiosity for culture.
Very matter of factly, he shares that he’d like to eventually work in international business or become a global diplomat, but when asked why, Jason cracks a smile and shares a story:
The bass thumped through the seats of our 2009 Honda Accord, the fabric still warm from the scorching sun. My legs dangled off the booster seat, swinging to the beat.
“sowoneul malhaebwa”
I didn’t understand the words, but my sister sang every line of Genie like it was a secret spell. The windows were cracked, summer air rushing in, and the world outside blurred into streaks of light.
Then the song ended. A quiet click.
My sister reached to change the track. And I burst into tears. Not out of tantrum, but desperation as if the music opened a door and I couldn’t bear for it to close.
So she hit rewind. And I listened again. And again.
I didn’t know Korean, a single member of Girls’ Generation, or what “sowoneul malhaebwa” meant, but it sparked a fascination with Korea that has followed me since.
Education As a Bridge
Born and raised in Southeast Portland, Jason graduated from David Douglas High School this past June.
It was in the classroom where he discovered how he wanted to channel his passion for culture. Social studies classes introduced him to the worlds of quantitative economics and international relations, which he will begin studying at Tufts next fall.
With his older sister being the first in his family to graduate from college, Jason saw opportunity through higher education early on, and it inspired him to join College Possible.
Throughout his time in the program, Jason has appreciated flexible support and guidance with questions he didn’t see coming.
“Because I wasn’t able to come to session after school, my junior coach scheduled one-on-one meetings with me over lunch. They were willing to walk me through the ACT multiple times, so that was very meaningful to me,” Jason shares. “This year, I had questions about college life, like, ‘What happens to my health insurance when I move to Boston?’ My coach was able to guide me, and I left knowing where to go next.”
Beyond College Possible, Jason built community in every corner through his involvement in mock trial, STEM club, concert choir and the investment club, which he founded.
He was also a QuestBridge finalist, which helped him apply to 20 different colleges across the country. While he received acceptance to various prominent colleges, Jason ultimately decided on Tufts for two reasons: financial aid and location. For an out-of-pocket price of $300, Jason will have the chance to attend college and live in another state for the first time in his life.
While Jason’s passion for culture flourished in the classroom, it has led him beyond Oregon and opened doors to rewarding experiences around the world.
A Classroom Across The World
Today, Jason can be found 5,000 miles away in South Korea. For the past few months, he has been preparing for his trip by taking online Korean classes as part of the NSLI-Y 2026 cohort, a scholarship and cultural immersion program for high school students.
“When I stumbled over Cantonese at home, learning Korean gave me the space to rebuild confidence in language and culture.” Jason says. “Korean became a bridge, linking my heritage, curiosity, and global perspective.”
Years ago, Jason sat in the backseat of his family’s car captivated by a song in a language he didn’t understand. Today, that same curiosity has carried him across the world into Korean classrooms, host family homes and soon to college, where he’ll continue preparing for a career that bridges cultures.
What began as a fascination with a single K-pop song has grown into a lifelong commitment to understanding the people and relationships around the world.
