4th KASC Preview
Site Highlights
Busan: Pukyong National University
(July 2-12)
Korean Orientation (American Orientation: UC Berkeley)
Welcoming American Delegates
Opening Ceremony
Business Visit
Jeju: Jeju National University
(July 12-17)
Volunteer Service at Jeju Ollegil (trail maintenance)
Homestay
Lecture on Marine Biology
Gwangju: Chonnam National University
(July 17-24)
Lecture on Gwangju Movement
Mihwangsa Temple Stay
Korean Food Workshop
Seoul: Ewha Womans University
(July 24-31)
Panel on North Korea & Volunteer Service with North Korean defectors
Briefing at U.S. Embassy Seoul
Final Forum
2012 Executive Committee Elections
DELEGATION LIST (Still finalizing on the US side)
KASC Alumni Scholarship Fund
Jacob Reidhead, KASC 1
Greetings KASC Family,
Since KASC began back in 2008, I have been strongly moved by our potential as an alumni
network and perplexed about how to foster and focus that potential. Today, I propose we take one
step towards realizing that potential. I propose that as KASC Alumni, we collectively begin a new
tradition of donating annually to a KASC Alumni Scholarship. As our numbers grow year after year,
can you imagine what resources we could generate as each and every one of us contributes even
$25 a year?
Here's some math. Each year, KASC admits approximately 50 students, and we have three
cohorts already. If every KASC alumnus committed to donate just $25 each year, here’s what we
could do:
In 2011: 150 alumni x $25 = $3,750
In 2012: 200 alumni x $25 = $5,000
In 2012: 250 alumni x $25 = $6,250
This year, by donating $25 per person, KASC alumni can cover the participation fee for one
delegate. Three years from now, we can cover the cost of two. I realize the math is simplistic, but
you get my point.
The potential of our alumni network is not purely financial, and it does not begin or end with $25 a
year. But let us begin with something. While this tradition will certainly benefit the future delegates
of KASC, let us do it more for ourselves, as our sign to each other of our continued solidarity as
KASCers, cultural diplomats, and advocates of international understanding.
This year, a number of alumni have already donated for a total of $1600. We are more than
halfway to our goal of $3000, and I am optimistic that we will achieve that goal. ISC has set up a
bank account in South Korea to faciliate donations from our overseas alumni. Please refer to the
following options for making a donation.
ISC Website
Go to http://www.iscdc.org/ and click on “Donate.” Follow the link to donate by credit card or check
and write “KASC Alumni Scholarship” in the Comments section.
Korean Bank Account
Korean alumni can transfer to the below bank account.
은행 구좌 정보
은행이름: 국민은행
예금주: 김주영
구좌 번호: 564702-01-282828
Most of us are still students and cannot afford to give much, but we can give something. Let us
each donate our $25 this year, and see where our potential leads us.
After KASC
From KASC to Achievement
Sung Woong Park, KASC 2 & 3
Two months ago, I was in my final interview for a job at Samsung Engineering. There were five
executives sitting in front of me, and they started asking questions. One of the questions they
asked me was, “What do you think of ‘fairness’ in Korean society, and do you have an example to
illustrate your opinion?” The few moments I spent trying to find a good answer from my knowledge
and experiences felt like an hour to me; then, a memory I had from KASC suddenly hit my brain. I
answered the question by elaborating on my experience trying to fundraise the participation fee for
the 2nd KASC after being designated as a Korean delegate. I remembered that several Korean
delegates had a difficult time getting funds from schools or companies, while American delegates
received funds relatively easily by comparison. I believe this situation exemplified how the business
and civic cultures in different countries vary in their perceptions of the value of giving donations
and lending support to students. I told my interviewers that, to make a “fair society,” people must
foster younger generations by sharing their resources and experiences – not only by giving
financial support, but also constructive feedback and encouraging
messages. I told them how I could not even get a reply from some
companies from which I had requested financial support. The
interviewers seemed to respond with an awareness of what I was
talking about.
Eventually, I was offered a position with Samsung Engineering, one
of the leading engineering firms in the world. Without my privileged
experience of participating in both the 2nd KASC as a delegate and
the 3rd KASC as a member of Executive Committee, I would not
have been able to formulate this answer, which informed the
interviewers’ decision to hire me.
It’s been a year since I became an alumnus of KASC. Despite the
fact that the 2nd KASC and 3rd KASC are over, my memory from
KASC is still affecting me. When I attended a kick-off meeting for a
project with clients and their engineers from Bahrain, my cross-cultural communication skills I
learned during the roundtable sessions and Six-party Talks simulation helped me to alleviate the
very tense atmosphere of the meeting. When I studied the issue of the gas pipeline around the
Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan as part of a new marketing strategy, all of my dear KASCers with deep
knowledge regarding that issue were right behind me to help with my research.
For the long future ahead of me, by building on my good memories and experiences from KASC, I
want to realize my dream to work for international organizations like the International Development
Association, which is an arm of the World Bank that I visited as part of the 3rd KASC. Then, I would
be able to support the poor in the world as an electrical engineer. I would like to end this essay by
quoting Steve Jobs during his commencement speech: “Small dots from our past become
connected as time passes and brings us to achievement.” And I hope that the small dots drawn by
KASCers will continue to connect and strengthen not only KASC itself, but also the participants.
Silent Auction
It’s almost time! This year, the Silent Auction is going digital. Be on the lookout for an email
announcement when the Auction goes live the first week of June. Items up for bid this year will
include stemware from WineShop at Home, hand-crafted jewelry, and an assortment of gift
certificates.
KASCer Notes
Florence Maher, KASC 1, recently received her first Foreign Service assignment: a two-year
consular posting to Monterrey, Mexico. She will remain in Washington, D.C., until November 2011
for Spanish language training, and she welcomes visitors! Email: florence.maher@gmail.com
Seung Shik Yeom, KASC 1, has continued pursuing his musical career with increasing success.
He released his solo album titled “흐르른다 (Flow)” with the name Joyumn (조이엄). He is also a
guitarist with the band Gate Flowers. The band was recently awarded the Best Rock Single of the
Year and the Best New Artist of the Year at the 8th Annual Korean Music Awards this year. This is
the most prestigious music award ceremony in Korea.
Dorothy Lineer, KASC 2, is finishing up her semester in Paris. She has had a great time living in
France for the past few months. She said she is not ready to leave, but will be returning to the U.S.
in June for a summer internship with an investment bank in New York City.
Kathy Hill, KASC 2 & 3, is in Seoul for her internship with the U.S. Embassy. She is so excited to
see past and future KASCers in Korea. Those who aren't in Korea can follow her experiences at
www.KathysHeartandSeoul.blogspot.com. She is also proud to say she recently tested for her
purple belt in Shotokan Karate and passed!
Sung Woong Park, KASC 2 & 3, currently works for Samsung Engineering at Industrial
and Infrastructure Construction Management Group. Unlike his educational background in
electrical engineering, his job is more about project management, specializing in construction.
Although the work is very demanding, he has been enjoying it.
Kyungmi Park, KASC 3, recently got a job working for the Institute of Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) Collaborative Education in Busan. Her duties are to work with the Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology on the APEC Collaborative Education Projects with a goal of
narrowing the digital divide within the APEC region. Thus, she has been studying the development
assistance and doing research on all-APEC related issues.
Wooram Kim, KASC 3, completed his internship in February at the “Chicago for Rahm” political
campaign, which was a great experience. He was able to meet many local people and had a
chance to get their votes for Rahm Emanuel, who is now the Mayor-elect. He is also finishing up
his education section of the WEST (Work, English, Study, and Travel) Program by the Korean and
the U.S. governments.
Gabrielle Deculus, KASC 3 & 4, recently spoke on a panel with Actress Vivica Fox and other
influential women in the Texas area. She was the only college student on this panel, and she was
very excited to represent college women at this event. Outside of KASC and school, she is
dedicated to her growing public relations firm, Key PR Group (www.keyprgroup.com), which can be
followed on Twitter (@keyprgroup). She is also pleased that she and her business partner are now
members of the National Association of Professional Women via Key PR Group.