Larry Hromalik, a 2009 spring quarter graduate, has received the prestigious Translation Academy Fellowship allowing him to continue his studies and pursue a career as a Korean translator.

Hromalik, who received his degree from Ohio State in Korean, was one of three English-speaking students selected from around the world to receive the fellowship from the Korean Literature Translation Institute in Seoul, Korea. Hromalik will begin his studies there in September.

The fellowship provides year-long academic training in reading and analyzing Korean literature, translation theory and practice. It also gives the selected students financial support to become professional translators of Korean literature. The fellowship includes a round-trip plane ticket, tuition and a $1,223 monthly stipend.

Hromalik was selected based on the quality of his application, which included a sample translation of a chapter from a Korean novel published in 2008, a three to four page statement of intent and a three to four page research proposal, both written in Korean, and a letter of recommendation.

Hromalik acknowledges the help and support of his teachers and faculty in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures and his dedication to studying the language outside of the classroom as key components that helped him to receive this award.

The fellowship will not only help Hromalik lay the foundation for a career as a translator, but will also enable him to work towards improving resources and translation material available for students studying Korean or who are interested in Korean culture.

“By translating Korean literature I hope to have the opportunity to show people who cannot speak the language how beautiful the culture can be. I hope that even a slight interest can inspire people to learn the language or find more about the culture” Hromalik said.

The Korean Literature Translation Institute was founded in 2001 by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Its mission is to promote awareness of Korean literature throughout the world by supporting the translation and publication of Korean literature, international exchange and offering a Translation Academy to train new professional translators.