Clifford Alonzo

Aloha! My name is Clifford Alonzo, and I am from Honolulu, Hawaii. I am currently an Accounting major with a Japanese Studies Minor at the University of San Francisco, aspiring to be an accountant. Coming from a first generation Filipino immigrant family, I am the first person in my family to pursue a traditional academic path. I can speak two different Filipino dialects (Tagalog and Ilocano), Japanese, and Korean. My interest in Asian cultures first sparked when I immersed myself in Vietnam with the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council in high school. In 2012, I was fortunate enough to be awarded a 2-week scholarship from the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) to gain first-hand experience of the Korean culture in Seoul. In 2014, I returned to Asia for a semester exchange program at Sophia University in Japan as a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

During my free time, I enjoy watching Korean-dramas and listening to Korean-pop music. Although I am American, I have the heart of a Korean! Many of my friends consider me as a Quasi-Korean. I will return back to Korea to strengthen my Korean through Seoul National University’s 10-week intensive Korean language program this summer. In addition, I plan to volunteer with local charitable organizations around Seoul to help the underprivileged. I am really looking forward to utilize my Korean skills, try authentic Korean food, and actually visit the places that I only see in Korean dramas! I strongly believe that having the ability to speak several languages promotes all connections from business partnerships to friendships and provides people with an extraordinary understanding of life and culture.