My Summer Internship at the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU)-Summer 2009
My 2009 Summer Internship at the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU)-- A government-funded think tank that conducts research on unification and North Korean issues.
After studying Korean history and writing my thesis on Korean civil society during the colonial period, I was eager to spend more time in Korea, practice my Korean, and learn about Korean culture firsthand. I also hoped to gain work experience through my internship. This summer fulfilled all of these objectives and more.
I interned at the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), a government-funded think tank that conducts research on unification and North Korean issues. It was very interesting to learn about the role of KINU – although affiliated with the government, the organization provides advice not only to the Ministry of Unification and the Republic of Korea, but also serves as a scholarly forum for discussing unification and North Korean issues.
While at KINU, my primary project was to research and write a sixty-page policy brief focusing on the history and current status of the United States-Republic of Korea relationship. This examination of the US-ROK alliance enabled me to submit a final, five-page brief where I brainstormed possible future actions for the US-ROK alliance to take in order to change North Korea. I feel that my research skills certainly improved over the summer, and I learned about the challenges of conducting research in a policy environment, and how it differs from academia.
I also appreciated the opportunity to work in Suyu, an area in the north of Seoul that directly bordered Bukhansan National Park. This area was quite different from the metropolis of central Seoul, and since KINU was at the very edge of the mountainous national park, it was a beautiful and natural setting. Meeting people in the workplace was one of the most exciting elements of working at KINU. There were many long-term Korean interns and research associates in my division who welcomed me and did their best to show me parts of Korean culture that I would not have seen otherwise. During lunch breaks, I had the opportunity to hike in Bukhansan National Park, improve my table tennis skills, and explore Korean cuisine in the cafeteria and beyond.
While there were certainly challenges in orchestrating the details of my internship and in finding an assignment, the experience was a very positive one overall and I feel that it has provided me with valuable work experience and has indeed created a good ‘bridge’ between my undergraduate work and my planned graduate focus on international law and policy.
Living in the exciting neighborhood of Ewha Womens University and being part of the Ewha community also made my summer in Korea special. After learning about the early history of Ewha in my research for my senior thesis, it was a great experience to walk through the campus and remember reading about the childhood activities of Helen Kim, Ewha’s first president.
Outside of work on weekends and during the evening, I explored Seoul with the other interns and summer school students, experiencing such disparate neighborhoods as the nearby bustle of Sinchon and Hongdae, the craziness of Dongdaemun Market and the revitalized Cheonggyecheon, and the quirkiness of Itaewon. We even found an escape from the summer heat in the greenery of the gorgeous Olympic Park. We took a weekend trip to the Boryeong Mud Festival, and celebrated Fourth of July with the military community and many other Americans at Yongsan Army Garrison.
There were also many formal activities with the Harvard Summer School that allowed the interns to explore Seoul and beyond. I especially appreciated the opportunity to travel to Gyeongju with the Harvard Summer School. This was one of the highlights of my trip to Korea – both a good opportunity to learn more about Korean history and also a chance to see beyond Seoul. Seeing more of the countryside during our barbeque at Professor Kim’s home was also a great experience.
Although I had studied Korea before, spending time in Seoul not only had an exponential effect on my language practice, but also allowed me to understand better what I learned. During the program, I was also very appreciative of the help received from Korea Institute and Ewha administrators.
Spending the summer in Seoul was an amazing experience, and one of the greatest opportunities that I have had at Harvard. Although I have now graduated, I hope to speak with other students who are considering spending time in Korea and encourage them to visit and learn more! This summer has cemented my interest in the Korean peninsula, and I’ve been inspired to continue my language study independently.
I would not have been able to take advantage of this opportunity without the funding and support provided by the Korea Institute, and would like to express my sincerest thanks for their generosity.
–Emily Bruemmer, '09