Introducing Korean culture to Korean language learners in Egypt

The culture interns of KSI carry out meaningful activities of disseminating Korean culture to Korean language learners at KSI locations around the world and exchange with them. Here is the story of Eo Bo-won, who worked as a Culture Intern at the KSI Korean Cultural Center in Egypt in 2022 and taught Korean folk songs, janggu, and sogo dance.

Hello, Ms. Eo Bo-won. First of all, please tell us about yourself for the readers of Monthly Knock Knock.

Hello. I am Eo Bo-won, majoring in Korean music at Ewha Womans University and double majoring in the Department of Communications and Media. It is nice to meet the readers through the KSI Culture Intern activities in 2022. Currently, I am returning to finish school and am also actively continuing my music through the Mododa Project of the Dawon Arts Team and Manwol Project, a Korean traditional music electronic group.

You have worked as a Culture Intern in traditional music at the KSI Korean Cultural Center in Egypt for three months, starting August 31, 2022. Please tell us what KSI Culture Interns do.

The KSI Culture Intern provides Korean culture classes to students at local KSI locations who are learning Korean. Class and activity plans are made before dispatch through workshops in Korea. Based on the plan, which has gone through several changes, you need to provide classes related to your major for students at KSI. In addition to this main task, you will gain various experiences by participating in events at your local KSI. I believe that Cultural Interns have a great advantage in developing an open cultural perspective by not only promoting Korean culture but also by communicating with various people in the area.

What made you apply for the KSI Culture Internship?

I used to live for college when I was in high school, but when I entered college, I felt depressed for some reason. I thought of a new goal and wanted an experience that only college students can have. I decided to challenge myself as an exchange student. Then, when I failed at it, I started looking for other overseas experiences. I heard that a friend from Korea National University of Arts was applying for the KSI Culture Intern program, and I was able to participate because Ehwa Womans University also supports the KSI Culture Intern program. I prepared for a student exchange program because I wanted to take a leave from Korea, where I lived all my life, and communicate with people from different backgrounds in a new environment. The KSI Culture Intern program not only satisfied this need but also allowed me to make use of my major.

Egypt is an unfamiliar country to us. Were you worried about anything when it was decided that you would be dispatched to the KSI Korean Cultural Center in Egypt?

I was surprised because it was a country that I had not imagined. However, I wanted the experience of going to another country, so I still wanted to go. I was worried because I was unfamiliar with Islamic culture and didn’t speak Arabic. But I was confident that it would be a unique experience that others couldn"t have. Since I was interested in ancient Egyptian culture, the anticipation of seeing the world-famous pyramids and Nile River cleared my negative thoughts.

What was your life like during the three months you spent at KSI Korean Cultural Center, Egypt, as a Culture Intern?

Making use of my major, I gave two classes for KSI students: one that taught folk songs and janggu. and the other that introduced folk songs and sogo dance. On the last day, I wanted to give a special memory to the students, so I invited the audience and held a recital. It was a meaningful day for me, hosting it myself, giving a performance, and enjoying it with the students that I taught.
In addition to classes, I was able to learn what overseas cultural centers do by participating in various events at the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt. At the time, Korean Cultural Center Egypt was operating a Korean traditional music academy, and I prepared a folk song performance with them for the academy recital. It was the first time I performed to promote Korean culture abroad, and it was very meaningful for me.
The Korean Association of Egypt also invited me to perform at a Chuseok event. Korean people told me that it was touching to be able to feel Korea in Egypt. It was very fulfilling to gain various diplomatic experiences by being invited to public meetings by the embassy and giving lectures and performances on traditional Korean folk songs.

Can you tell us about the most memorable thing during your cultural internship in Egypt, either from your intern activities or personal life?

When the Culture Interns gathered for a workshop before dispatch, I was envious of other culture interns who were scheduled to be dispatched to countries that are popular travel destinations, such as those in Europe and Southeast Asia, making travel plans. I didn’t know how safe Egypt was, so I did not plan to travel there. However, after I arrived in Egypt and stayed there for about 2 to 3 weeks, Cairo was not very dangerous. I met many nice people, including the members of the KCC, and went traveling to the desert and resorts with them.
I especially want to talk about Hagar, who helped with interpretation in my class. She was the same age as me and was very fluent in Korean. She helped me with various other things in addition to interpretation, and I enjoyed spending time with her. I still talk to her and send her letters. I hope to see her again someday.

What was the most rewarding of the KSI Culture Intern activities?

The Culture Intern experience gave me confidence. The experience as a Culture Intern was an achievement for me, and based on that experience, I now have the confidence to take on new challenges.
I started a YouTube Channel because I wanted to share this meaningful experience with others. I took advantage of my other major, taught myself video editing, and uploaded a Vlog video of Egypt. There are still so many videos that I haven’t been able to upload yet, but the memory at KSI that allowed me to take on new challenges and record them is an unforgettable, precious gift.

Please give a word of advice and encouragement to young people who are interested in becoming KSI Culture Interns.

I really recommend it because there are not many programs that provide internships in which you can use your major in an environment where you can receive support for activities and living expenses, as well as safety management. I remember what the President of KSIF told me during the meeting we had in Korea after the end of the internship. She said, “Everyone who is here will definitely succeed in the future.” The unconditional support of the president was a great source of strength for me as I faced a new beginning. I hope you will also find the turning point in your life through KSI Culture Intern activities.