Students are drawn to Charleston Southern University from around the world. Two such graduates are Raul Chang of Panama and Grace Kim of South Korea.
As the son of a military service member, Chang grew up in Panama until the age of 19 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served for 10 years as a jet engine mechanic at state-side bases and in South Korea before coming to Charleston Southern University and becoming involved in the AFROTC program – where he served as the cadet vice wing commander in charge of 16 fellow cadets.
Chang, a criminal justice major, accepted a commission in the Air Force. He will be assigned as a communication officer at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter.
“Being here opened my eyes and gave me a lot of experience with leadership and time management that I will be able to pass on to my future airmen,” said Chang.
Kim, who came to live with relatives in the United States at 13 years of age, says that being away from Korea has made her appreciate all that her family and her country have provided her.
“I want to be the pride of my parents, my country and God,” said Kim.
Kim was elected to the CSU Student Government Association three years in a row and served as student body president her junior year.
A communication major with a minor in French, she studied in Quebec twice as part of an independent study program, learning French as her third language. She worked as an intern for WCBD-2, Charleston’s TV news station. There she shadowed reporters and the news assignments editor.
“I want to be global in my career, whether that is as a television reporter or wherever God takes me,” said Kim.