●Yeji Jung,Department of International Relations (KAC)



1. Please introduce yourself
My name is Yeji Jung. I am a senior in the Department of International Relations, Keimyung Adams College (KAC). I recently got accepted to the Korean Embassy in Romania as an intern through the Global Public Diplomacy Internship Program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


2. Why did you apply for the Global Public Diplomacy Internship Program?
An internship is one of the graduation requirements of KAC. To meet the requirement, I had been looking for an internship since I was a junior. However, it was not merely for graduation. I wanted an opportunity to get hands-on experience in the field of international relations. The Global Public Diplomacy Internship Program was one of the internships that I applied for. I was fascinated by the idea that I would be able to work at a Korean embassy abroad. Many IR students dream of becoming a diplomat and working abroad. It was a truly great opportunity.


3. What did you do to get this internship?
When I started writing my resume and cover letter. I regretted that I had not done enough in my freshman and sophomore years. However, I could only focus on what I had done, not what I hadn’t. I believed how I described my story and experiences mattered more than just listing them. I spent most of the preparation time writing and rewriting my application form. In particular, I worked as the president of Servus Ledan, the leadership program in KAC. I emphasized that I hadn’t only developed my leadership but I had also managed a budget of millions of won and organized several events. This also required effective communication skills as I had to cooperate with the college dean, professors, the administration office, the Student Council, and the local community center. I tried my best to organize all these things efficiently in my application form.


4. Can you give advice to students who want this internship?
The applicants first submit their resume and cover letter in a form to the school, and the school sends them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Then they wait for about a month, and finally only 120 of them get an interview. The interview takes about 10 minutes both in English and mostly Korean at the MOFA building in Gwanghwamoon, Seoul. The 48 successful candidates get notified by the following week.
For the application document, I think it is very important to look more than interested in this internship. The application period is just for a few days. It is hard to put your best efforts into the application. However, you need to look enthusiastic, and the examiners should be able to see that.
For the interview, it is great if you are well-qualified. However, do not forget that one of the evaluation elements is your personality. I have done lots of volunteer work since I was a freshman, and talking about that was when the judges showed me a slight smile.


5. What will you do for the diplomatic office as an intern?
This internship program is designed particularly for public diplomacy. Public diplomacy is a series of diplomatic activities that increases the diplomatic relations of Korea through communication with foreign people. It is in contrast to the traditional concept of diplomacy that emphasizes “hard power” like military force or economic sanctions. PD mostly depends on “soft power,” which is an ability to shape the preferences of others through attraction. In Romania, I will be assisting in organizing and holding events like K-Lovers Korean Wave Festival, Korean Culture Festival, and International Korean Speaking Contest.


6. What advice do you want to give KMU students?
I sometimes imagine how different my life would have been if I hadn’t come to KMU. I believe I made the best decision possible, and I am fully satisfied with the choice. One of the reasons is the students; it was very lucky for me to get to know some of you during my college years. I truly believe each of you has huge potential. Don’t settle for less than you deserve and believe in your potential!