Today we’d like to introduce you to Soyon Michelle Choi
Hi Soyon Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Before coming here, I didn’t really know much about Austin. When I decided to study in the U.S., my boyfriend (currently, my spouse) and I were searching for schools that suited both of our needs. At first, UT Austin wasn’t even on my list. However, when I shifted my focus from sports management, which I studied through my master’s, to advertising, UT Austin quickly became my top choice.
It was one of those moments where I thought, ‘Wow, things really do fall into one place in unexpected ways.’ When my husband and I realized that UT Austin was the perfect fit for both of us, we felt so relieved!
Back then, people who studied at UT would tell me that I would love living in Austin especially because the weather here is great for staying active and working out.
Now, three years later, I can confidently say that they were right—I’ve truly fallen in love with Austin!
Additionally, I am currently running a Korean running crew here in Austin called Austin Saturday Morning Run (ASMR). It consists mostly of Korean members, many of whom are UT students.
Some join because they recognize the importance of exercise, while others simply enjoy the community we’ve built. Seeing people come together and stay motivated through this group gives me even more energy and inspiration!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Since it was my first time living in the U.S., I naturally compared everything to my life back in Seoul, Korea.
At first, I felt uneasy because walking around didn’t always feel safe, and the tipping culture in restaurants was completely new to me. After adding the tip, the total price of a meal felt shockingly expensive, making me wonder if I was even doing it right. But looking back, I see that all of these experiences were just part of my adjustment process to a new country and city.
Since I didn’t know anyone here at first, my husband was my only source of support, which, in a way, brought us even closer together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Advertising at UT Austin. With a background in Sports Management, I am particularly interested in interpreting social phenomena through the lens of sports.
Many people assume that transitioning from Sports Management (Master’s) to Advertising (Ph.D.) means I’ve changed my field—but I don’t see it that way. In fact, I believe this unique perspective is what sets me apart. In our globalized society, conversations naturally involve a mix of perspectives, preferences, and cultural backgrounds. Sports remains one of the few universal languages that transcends the boundaries of nation, gender, race, and class. I see sports as my anchor—a powerful framework that allows me to explore a wide range of social issues.
For example, my research interest is not limited to issues directly related to directly sports like NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) but also explores psychological and social factors that influence sports involvement. This includes topics such as the psychological elements that drive sports fans’ engagement or privacy concerns related to sports consumption. By integrating these broader societal and psychological aspects, I aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how sports intersect with various dimensions of human behavior.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nameis_soyon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleSoyon
