# My Summer Internship at the ROK National Assembly in Seoul-Summer 2010 September 07, 2010 ![My Summer Internship at the ROK National Assembly in Seoul-Summer 2010](/sites/g/files/omnuum10896/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/My%20Summer%20Internship%20at%20the%20ROK%20National%20Assembly%20in%20Seoul-Summer%202010.jpg?itok=oYp4ewLv) ![2010 ROK National Assembly Intern, Christine Cho, on right](/sites/g/files/omnuum10896/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/koreainstitute/files/dr._koo_heekwon_christine_cho_july_2010.jpg?itok=PWuNGASb) Summer Internship at the South Korean National Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification This summer, I interned for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification at the South Korean National Assembly. It was an absolutely incredible and most memorable experience. In terms of logistics, the hours were standard (9 am-6 pm), and the National Assembly building was only a 15-20 minute bus ride away from my dorm. Dr. Heekwon Koo (my boss) and other committee staff members were welcoming and always willing to answer questions, and we interns were treated extremely well. We were provided with lunch daily, and were fortunate to be invited on visits to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Unification, the Korea Foundation, the Korea International Cooperation Agency, etc. Personally, I found that although the internship did not necessarily require Korean-speaking skills, it definitely helped to be able to speak the language. For example, not only was I given more difficult assignments, but it was also easier to befriend my co-workers (and for them to feel comfortable around me), because I was able to communicate well with them. I was also able to provide assistance in translating for the youth exchange program. In terms of my job responsibilities, I was given the occasional researching and translating assignments. I was also asked to create a presentation introducing the National Assembly and the Committee to visitors. I chose to do this through a movie format instead of through a powerpoint slideshow, which Dr. Koo and the staff members seemed to enjoy very much. Admittedly, there was much downtime in the first few weeks, but these lulls were also great opportunities to read up on Korean news, do my own independent research, or get to know the staff members better. Additional perks included meeting National Assemblyman Hong Jong-wook (a Harvard alum), celebrating the internship’s 5-year anniversary with Dr. Koo and Susan Laurence, and attending various Harvard-sponsored dinners and events. The absolute best part of the internship was the U.S.-South Korea Congressional Youth Exchange Program, in which I was the only intern who was given the opportunity to participate. Through this two-week program, ten Korean college/grad students visit the U.S., and ten American students visit Korea. As the “Assistant Program Director,” I traveled around Seoul, and even to Jeju Island, with the American delegation. I was mostly responsible for translating between the Korean staff members and the American delegation, and for assisting the Americans with getting from place to place. However, my role was so enjoyable that it hardly felt like a real “job”: I was able to watch different performances; explore, shop, and eat in cultural neighborhoods like Insadong and Itaewon; hike, swim and horseback-ride on Jeju Island; visit the U.S. Embassy; and make friendships with not just the American delegates, but also with the Korean students when they returned. All in all, my summer internship went above and beyond in fulfilling my expectations. I now have a thorough understanding of the structure of the National Assembly and the role of the committee staff, the ability to navigate easily around Seoul, many new friendships and acquaintances, and a renewed appreciation and love for Korea and Korean culture. Indeed, the sights I saw and the friendships I made through this program contributed to the most enjoyable and memorable summer of my life. *- Christine Cho, '11* See also:- [ Undergraduate ](/audience/undergraduate) - [ Student Reflection ](/news-type/student-reflection) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)