“Taking the First Step at KSIF” Four Youth Interns Take Their First Steps with Different Experiences and Strengths
글쓴이홍보협력팀
태그
작성일 2026-08-21
조회수53
“Taking the First Step at KSIF”
Four Youth Interns Take Their First Steps
with Different Experiences and Strengths
with Different Experiences and Strengths
> Four youth interns brought together by their interest in Korean language and Korean culture
> From experiencing KSIF projects to exploring career paths— “Imagining the future through the field”
Four young people with backgrounds in cultural internships, Korean language education, overseas volunteering, and educational service have begun a new chapter at the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF). Of the six youth interns hired for the second half of this year, four participated in this interview. Since joining KSIF, they have seen firsthand how the KSIF’s diverse projects connect KSIs, learners, and teachers around the world while also shaping their own career paths in more concrete ways. We spoke with the four youth interns about what led them to apply to KSIF, the strengths they bring, what they have newly discovered since joining the KSIF, and the goals they hope to achieve.
Q. How did you first learn about the King Sejong Institute Foundation, and what led you to apply for the youth internship?
A. Intern Jung Kang-su After entering university, I first learned about KSIF through the experiences of senior students who had participated in the KSI Cultural Internship program. I was drawn to the KSIF’s work of communicating with the world through Korean culture, and I set my sights on becoming a cultural intern. I later fulfilled that goal by working for 100 days at KSI Korean Cultural Center, India.
The Indian students I met in the field each brought their own personal story and sense of purpose to learning about Korean culture. I was deeply moved by the eagerness and concentration they brought to class, and I remember the moments when everyone made a sincere effort to communicate with joy and mutual respect. The inspiration I gained from the cultural internship reinforced my belief in KSIF’s mission of connecting people around the world through a shared connection to Korea. With a desire to support the efforts made in Korean language and Korean culture education so that they could have a lasting impact, I decided to apply to KSIF.
The Indian students I met in the field each brought their own personal story and sense of purpose to learning about Korean culture. I was deeply moved by the eagerness and concentration they brought to class, and I remember the moments when everyone made a sincere effort to communicate with joy and mutual respect. The inspiration I gained from the cultural internship reinforced my belief in KSIF’s mission of connecting people around the world through a shared connection to Korea. With a desire to support the efforts made in Korean language and Korean culture education so that they could have a lasting impact, I decided to apply to KSIF.
A. Intern Jung Taek-jun After majoring in Korean language education and then entering graduate school to study Korean language education, I naturally became interested in KSIF’s role and projects. The more I studied Korean language education, the more I realized that institutions that support teachers are just as important as the teachers working directly with learners: they enable educators to focus on teaching in stable environments and build the foundation for Korean language education. I wanted to experience firsthand how Korean language education projects are planned and implemented at KSIF, which serves that role, so I decided to apply.
A. Intern Hwang Young-ju As Korea gradually moves toward becoming a more multicultural society, I came to believe that Korean language and Korean culture play an important role in helping people understand and connect with one another. While exploring organizations that promote and support this work, I learned about KSIF. My four months of volunteer work in Africa, where I took part in cultural exchange with local students, also had a major influence on my decision to apply. Through that experience, I became interested in sharing the Korean language and culture, and I applied for the youth internship to learn and gain experience at KSIF, where I could turn that interest into practical work.
A. Intern Kim Yeon-jae I first learned about KSIF while volunteering in Korean language education at an international cooperation nonprofit organization. Until then, I had assumed that Korean language textbooks were published only by private publishers. While preparing for classes, however, I discovered KSIF textbooks that anyone can use free of charge. I was impressed by the depth of the content and how readily it could be used in class. In particular, I found K-Wave Korean, a textbook that uses dramas—one of the main ways international audiences encounter Korea— especially memorable because of its unique structure. That textbook naturally sparked my interest in the KSIF and its work of promoting the Korean language worldwide.
Q. What experiences or skills did you highlight as your strengths during the application process?
A. Intern Jung Kang-su I presented my expertise in Korean culture and the arts, as well as my experience applying that expertise directly in the field as a cultural intern, as my strengths. From familiar aspects of everyday life to deeper questions of history and culture, I have studied a wide range of subjects while thinking about how to present a fresh and engaging side of Korea. The cultural internship was a valuable opportunity to develop my own answer to that question. I highlighted my brief experience participating as a member of a KSI in Korean language and culture events and educational programs, as well as what I felt and learned through that process.
A. Intern Jung Taek-jun I highlighted the expertise I developed while majoring in Korean language education, my understanding of education, and my experience teaching Korean language to students in a middle school setting. Although it was not a Korean-as-a-foreign-language classroom, I prepared lessons and communicated directly with learners, which taught me that education requires not only teachers’ expertise but also an environment and support system that sustain it. Since I later broadened my focus to Korean language education and entered graduate school, I emphasized that I bring both field experience in education and academic interest in Korean language education.
A. Intern Hwang Young-ju The experience I highlighted most confidently was overseas volunteer work.
I conducted digital education and Korean culture and Korean language classes for local students, communicating with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and running educational programs. Building rapport and collaborating with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds helped me develop my international communication and teamwork skills. I believed these capabilities aligned well with KSIF’s work in collaborating with KSIs around the world.
I conducted digital education and Korean culture and Korean language classes for local students, communicating with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and running educational programs. Building rapport and collaborating with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds helped me develop my international communication and teamwork skills. I believed these capabilities aligned well with KSIF’s work in collaborating with KSIs around the world.
A. Intern Kim Yeon-jae I highlighted two years of volunteer work in Korean language education and my experience as an administrative assistant at a scholarship foundation. Through volunteering, I met diverse learners: an elementary school student who wanted to talk with Koreans while traveling, an office worker who began learning Korean because of a favorite idol, and a marriage migrant who needed Korean to navigate daily life. I found it deeply rewarding to watch people who encountered Korea for different reasons grow closer to Korea by learning Korean.
KSIF is also an institution that provides Korean-language education opportunities to learners with diverse backgrounds and goals, including workers, international students, and marriage migrants. In that sense, I felt that my experience aligned closely with the KSIF’s direction. I also emphasized that my experience providing administrative support at a scholarship foundation would enable me to make practical contributions to KSIF’s work.
KSIF is also an institution that provides Korean-language education opportunities to learners with diverse backgrounds and goals, including workers, international students, and marriage migrants. In that sense, I felt that my experience aligned closely with the KSIF’s direction. I also emphasized that my experience providing administrative support at a scholarship foundation would enable me to make practical contributions to KSIF’s work.
Q. Although you have only been with KSIF for a short time, is there anything new you have learned or found especially memorable since joining?
A. Intern Jung Kang-su What I felt most strongly after joining KSIF was the scope and significance of the KSIF’s projects, which support the dissemination of Korean language and Korean culture around the world. In the field in the past, I had not fully appreciated the planning and work required to create those educational opportunities. Seeing the detailed, systematic work that makes those opportunities possible has broadened my understanding of the KSIF’s work as a whole.
I have also been impressed by the supportive organizational culture that allows me to focus on my work. Whenever I ask questions, my senior colleagues and team members kindly explain not only the immediate task but also its purpose and the broader context, which has helped me adapt and learn quickly. In this atmosphere of consideration and growth, I, too, hope to make a meaningful contribution to KSIF with a responsible attitude.
I have also been impressed by the supportive organizational culture that allows me to focus on my work. Whenever I ask questions, my senior colleagues and team members kindly explain not only the immediate task but also its purpose and the broader context, which has helped me adapt and learn quickly. In this atmosphere of consideration and growth, I, too, hope to make a meaningful contribution to KSIF with a responsible attitude.
A. Intern Jung Taek-jun One particularly memorable experience was helping with a one-day pre-departure training program for Korean language teachers selected in the second recruitment round for overseas assignments in the second half of 2026. Although I was there for only a day, I was able to witness firsthand the dedication of teachers who were sincerely preparing to teach Korean overseas. It was meaningful to see firsthand KSIF’s role in supporting teachers through various processes even before dispatch, so that they can focus on Korean language education in the field.
A. Intern Hwang Young-ju While working in the Education Development Team, the most memorable experience so far has been supporting the World Korean Language Educators Conference over four days. In addition to event operations, I participated in promoting and exhibiting KSI textbooks, which allowed me to see how the textbooks and projects I had encountered in the office were actually used in the field.
In particular, seeing teachers from many countries gather in one place with passion for Korean language education made me realize that KSIF plays an important role not only in administrative support, but also in connecting and sustaining Korean language education around the world. I felt that the influence and significance of KSIF’s projects were much greater than I had imagined, and I also found it deeply rewarding to know that I was contributing to such valuable work. I hope to continue learning and contributing by experiencing more of KSIF’s projects firsthand.
In particular, seeing teachers from many countries gather in one place with passion for Korean language education made me realize that KSIF plays an important role not only in administrative support, but also in connecting and sustaining Korean language education around the world. I felt that the influence and significance of KSIF’s projects were much greater than I had imagined, and I also found it deeply rewarding to know that I was contributing to such valuable work. I hope to continue learning and contributing by experiencing more of KSIF’s projects firsthand.
A. Intern Kim Yeon-jae After joining KSIF and looking again at the KSIF’s projects, I learned that the KSIF’s work is much broader and more consequential than I had expected. I am currently assisting the Planning and Coordination Team with building the KSIF archive by reading and organizing press releases. In this process, I noticed KSIF’s efforts to promote various sponsorship projects in cooperation with companies for KSI learners, and to create positive memories of Korea through programs such as cultural academies.
I also learned how much work goes on behind the scenes, from training Korean language teachers around the world and researching classroom textbooks to developing learning apps. Although my time here has been short, seeing up close the dedication of those who help learners, teachers, and institutes build their futures through KSIF has made me think again about the KSIF’s role.
I also learned how much work goes on behind the scenes, from training Korean language teachers around the world and researching classroom textbooks to developing learning apps. Although my time here has been short, seeing up close the dedication of those who help learners, teachers, and institutes build their futures through KSIF has made me think again about the KSIF’s role.
Q. What KSIF work or projects would you like to experience firsthand in the future?
A. Intern Jung Kang-su I would like to gain experience in management and administrative support that helps KSIF’s projects and organization operate smoothly. I am especially interested in supporting various events and projects held at KSIs around the world so that they can proceed without disruption.
As I have prepared events both inside and outside the KSIF, I have realized how much detailed planning and appropriate support contribute to smooth project implementation. My field experience has deepened my appreciation for management and administrative work, and I hope to help teachers, institutes, and learners around the world participate in education and cultural programs as smoothly as possible.
As I have prepared events both inside and outside the KSIF, I have realized how much detailed planning and appropriate support contribute to smooth project implementation. My field experience has deepened my appreciation for management and administrative work, and I hope to help teachers, institutes, and learners around the world participate in education and cultural programs as smoothly as possible.
A. Intern Jung Taek-jun I am currently involved in supporting Korean language teachers dispatched overseas in the Operations Support Team. Going forward, I would also like to directly experience other KSIF projects that promote the Korean language and Korean culture.
I am especially curious about the process through which curricula, educational materials, and content are planned and then actually used in KSI classrooms. By observing how the work of different departments connects to KSI operations in each country, I hope to gain a broader understanding of the diverse roles KSIF plays to spread Korean language and Korean culture around the world.
I am especially curious about the process through which curricula, educational materials, and content are planned and then actually used in KSI classrooms. By observing how the work of different departments connects to KSI operations in each country, I hope to gain a broader understanding of the diverse roles KSIF plays to spread Korean language and Korean culture around the world.
A. Intern Hwang Young-ju My experience in the Education Development Team has been very meaningful, but in the future I would like to experience the work of the Culture Sharing Team as well. I would like to take part in the process of planning and operating diverse programs and content that introduce not only Korean language but also Korean culture, and participate directly in programs that help overseas learners feel closer to Korean culture.
I would also like to take part in the invitational training program for outstanding learners to be held in Korea in the second half of the year. Having seen the significance of KSIF projects and experienced the energy of the field while supporting the World Korean Language Educators Conference, I would like to participate more actively in event operations this time, communicate with Korean language education stakeholders from Korea and abroad, and learn about KSIF’s projects up close.
I would also like to take part in the invitational training program for outstanding learners to be held in Korea in the second half of the year. Having seen the significance of KSIF projects and experienced the energy of the field while supporting the World Korean Language Educators Conference, I would like to participate more actively in event operations this time, communicate with Korean language education stakeholders from Korea and abroad, and learn about KSIF’s projects up close.
A. Intern Kim Yeon-jae I would like to experience every project, but because my time as an intern is limited, I would choose two. First, I want to support major KSIF events, such as the invitational training program for outstanding KSI learners, and see how projects take shape in the field. At this year’s World Korean Language Educators Conference, I saw the impact of Korean language education as I watched teachers from many countries give presentations. Through the invitational training program, I would like to meet learners who have worked steadily toward their goals and learn how such events are operated to support them.
The other is to observe the process of developing Korean language textbooks. Through educational volunteering, I learned that preparing even a single class requires considerable thought to capture students’ interest. Developing systematic textbooks for long-term use clearly requires countless rounds of review. I would like to observe that process closely and find ways to contribute.
The other is to observe the process of developing Korean language textbooks. Through educational volunteering, I learned that preparing even a single class requires considerable thought to capture students’ interest. Developing systematic textbooks for long-term use clearly requires countless rounds of review. I would like to observe that process closely and find ways to contribute.
Q. Do you have a personal goal you hope to achieve through the youth internship?
A. Intern Jung Kang-su My goal is to develop the broad perspective and attitude required as a cultural diplomat who engages with the world through Korean culture. I have felt great fulfillment in directly introducing culture in the field, but I have also realized that properly sharing Korean culture requires both a deep understanding of culture itself and a sophisticated way of conveying it. By participating in KSIF’s diverse projects and helping put their values into practice, I hope to see and learn firsthand how Korean culture engages with audiences and gains wider reach around the world. Going forward, I hope to grow into a cultural exchange facilitator who can communicate with the world through Korean culture and tell nuanced, authentic stories effectively.
A. Intern Jung Taek-jun As a youth intern, I want to experience up close the many roles KSIF plays behind the delivery of Korean language education in the field. Based on that experience, my personal goal is to draw a more concrete picture of the various career paths and roles through which I can contribute to Korean language education. I will carry out my assigned duties responsibly. By the end of the internship, I hope to have a clearer answer about where I can contribute most effectively in the field of Korean language education.
A. Intern Hwang Young-ju During my time as a youth intern, I want to experience various KSIF projects firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the KSIF. Although the internship is brief, I also hope to steadily build practical experience by assisting with work within the team. Most of all, while working here, I have come to feel that I would like to continue working in an organizational culture where people respect and cooperate with one another. I hope to use this internship as a strong starting point, grow together with KSIF, and ultimately become a staff member who contributes to the global spread of Korean language and Korean culture.
A. Intern Kim Yeon-jae I felt that I had already achieved half of my personal goal when I was accepted as an intern. I wanted to experience KSIF’s projects and hear from people currently working in the field, so I could understand what challenges they address and what solutions they develop in order to promote the Korean language overseas. The remaining half of my goal is to use this experience to find an answer to what matters most to me when setting my future career path.
As a public administration major, I have always wanted to serve the public good in a public-sector organization. However, because each institution and position contributes to the public interest in different ways, I had not yet been able to picture in detail which field I wanted to work in or what kind of work I wanted to do. Through this youth internship, I hope to experience diverse tasks, discover what I can do well and what I truly find meaningful, and chart a clearer course for the future.
As a public administration major, I have always wanted to serve the public good in a public-sector organization. However, because each institution and position contributes to the public interest in different ways, I had not yet been able to picture in detail which field I wanted to work in or what kind of work I wanted to do. Through this youth internship, I hope to experience diverse tasks, discover what I can do well and what I truly find meaningful, and chart a clearer course for the future.
