2020 Summer Internship Imelia Kyra, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     My name is Imelia Kyra and I am currently a graduate student at Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies (Yonsei GSIS) majoring in Korean Studies. During the summer of 2020, I was fortunate enough to be offered an internship opportunity at the East Asia Institute in Seoul. Throughout the two months I worked at EAI, I was able to gain a lot of insight on how a South Korean think tank operates and was given the chance to participate in some of its many projects including several webinars hosted by the Asian Democratic and Research Network (ADRN) on the role of social media in a country’s democracy. My everyday tasks at the office included writing editorial comments on many insightful and informative research papers, editing and designing, and various organizational processes. I also had the opportunity to test and display my research and presentation skills when I along with the rest of the interns was tasked to give a brief presentation on maritime issues on specific regions. Inspired by the many research journals that I read and the projects that I assisted with, I wrote a commentary paper during my time at the EAI, touching on the subject of the various responses on the current Covid-19 pandemic. I am grateful to build valuable connections and relationships with the people I worked with it - be it fellow interns or the research assistants. The lunches and coffee breaks we shared and bonded through are some of my fondest memories I have of my internship. Although the current pandemic made it inevitable for a certain period of my internship to be carried out from home, I nevertheless treasured and enjoyed my internship period immensely. Thank you to the people at the East Asia Institute for giving me such a valuable opportunity to not only build more experience towards my future career, but to grow better as an individual.

2020 Summer Internship Xie Zhi, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     Looking at the certificate of completing my internship at the East Asian Institute (EAI), I recollected the days of working there. At the beginning of the internship application, as a master’s candidate at Yonsei University majoring in international studies, I looked forward to earning practical experiences at a related institute like EAI, in which I could apply my theoretical knowledge and other skills. Moreover, as an international student from China, I was itching to step into Korean society and workplace to observe and learn this society. Therefore, EAI is an ideal place for me to work as an intern. At EAI, every intern student is assigned an adviser and mainly works with his/her adviser. To specify, my adviser is in charge of China Research and the Journal of East Asian Studies. Thus, my major tasks were related to JEAS:   Editing JEAS Paper promotion videos. Supporting EAI project managers with additional research for projects like ‘Gray Zone’ studies. Attending events, seminars held by EAI. Conducting my independent internship project.   All of these tasks were very interesting and helpful. It must be mentioned that I have learned a lot through this internship not only in terms of academic and professional developments but also in terms of social interaction because it taught me how to perform in a Korean workplace. Lastly, I want to show my appreciation for EAI and EAI people who are always professional and kind to help me.

2020 Winter Internship Jaewon Yi, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     Over the past five months, I had the pleasure of working as an intern at the East Asia Institute (EAI). With seventeen years of history, EAI is a think tank that represents South Korea and serves as a hub for a knowledge-based network in the East Asian region. When first applying for an internship, I strived to seek experience at a professional work environment outside of graduate school. I wanted to apply the theoretical knowledge I was introduced in a classroom scenario to the real world. Additionally, I wished to make useful connections outside of Yonsei. Overall, EAI was the perfect place to achieve all that and so much more. My general duties & tasks from the internship included but not limited to the following: Translating and editing EAI’s working papers. Attending events, project workshop conference and seminars, and writing minutes of meeting (MoM) or transcripts in Korean or English. Supporting EAI research associates and project managers with additional research for designated projects, such as Global North Korea (Global NK) and Asia Democracy Research Network (ADRN)   To explain the projects very briefly, Global NK has its own website that intends to provide policy directions and publish materials on the North Korean issues in a more analytical and strategic manner based on the framework of Sanctions, Internal Transformation, Deterrence and Engagement (SIDE). ADRN was founded to examine the threats and challenges of Asian democracy and conduct research that can contribute to democratic development, transition and solidification. By participating in some of these project tasks, I was able to keep myself updated with the latest social and political issues in these regions. I had a first-hand experience witnessing the ins and outs of EAI and how think tank is operated as a whole.  Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all the EAI people that treated me like family. I will never forget the “Intern Burger Day” we had every Fridays which brought us closer together. I’m sure my internship here has left me with a series of research and personal skills that enabled me to grow more as an individual at this stage of my career.    

2020 Winter Internship Suhena Mehra, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     Hello, my name is Suhena Mehra and I am majoring in Korean Studies at the Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies. I came to know about the East Asia Institute (EAI) through my university peers who had previously interned here. Their social media posts showcasing their internship experiences made me interested in the EAI work environment. Research being my field of interest, it seemed to be perfect place for me to gain an internship experience. During the fifteen weeks that I worked at EAI, I was able to form valuable connections with expert industry researchers and gain insight into the organizational processes of a prolific South Korean think tank. I was able to support two seminars and aid in ground level editing, designing, data collection and organizational processes. I feel proud to know that my small contributions have been part of the building blocks that make up EAI’s monumental projects. I also got the opportunity to learn from my fellow interns and bond with each one of them over delicious lunches and coffee breaks. The work environment at EAI allowed us to explore new skills and take on new challenges, while also having fun. Ms. Younghyun Lee, Project Manager of the EAI Internship program curated a stimulating yet flexible internship experience for us, for which I am very grateful. As the Editor in Chief of the Yonsei GSIS magazine on international affairs, NOVAsia, I have a penchant for researching and writing about influential issues. My mentor Ms. Sea Young Kim recognized my abilities and desire to contribute in this way and gave me the opportunity to conduct primary research on Korean identity. This project became my primary task, and it was an absolute pleasure to work with Ms. Kim, who is an excellent editor, writer and researcher. I feel extremely grateful for her to have given me this opportunity as it will remain a significant accomplishment for me to look back on for years to come.  I would like to thank each and every one at EAI for providing me with such a warm and inviting work environment. I will remember my time at EAI fondly.   Thank you.  

2020 Winter Internship Karolina Kucharczyk, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     My name is Karolina and I am a graduate student in the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University where I major in Korean Studies. After my third semester I decided it was high time to pursue a working opportunity in the field that I am interested in – research about the current issues and developments on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. The East Asian Institute offered such an opportunity – despite being nervous about not being able to get in, I applied with the help of Yonsei GSIS’ Career Development Center and eventually got accepted. During the course of the internship I got to participate in different projects: I worked on the Myanmar Civil Society workshop; researched about BTS and their impact on both the Korean and international societies; researched the multidimensional impacts of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the contended views on and motivations behind the different conceptualizations of ‘the Free and Open Asia-Pacific’ initiative. Although at times challenging, these projects helped me to systematize my knowledge on how research should be carried out and provided me with opportunities to practice development of databases and report-making. Me and my intern colleagues took part in intern-seminars organized by individual research associates during which we could learn about the specific ongoing projects and the challenges the Institute faces on a daily basis. Everyday, we were given a chance to cooperate as a team and learn from each other even during the smallest tasks like preparing nametags, creating databases, or graphic designs for upcoming projects. One of the events I was able to participate in was the 2020 Global North Korea Nuclear Side Talk where I worked as an event assistant. This conference allowed me to take part in highly academic debates on the current nuclear issues on the peninsula, as well as to understand the mechanisms behind event organization and inter-institutional cooperation. During the ten weeks from January until early March, I got to know how a research institution works inside out. I had a chance to meet wonderful, kind researchers whose passion for work kept me going even at my hardest times of self-doubt. Their kindness and guidance were of great help in the course of my work, for which I am grateful. I hereby wish to thank the East Asia Institute, all research associates, and the director board for granting me this opportunity to experience working alongside professional academics.    

2020 Winter Internship Anna Lennkvist, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     I am Anna Lennkvist from Sweden, graduate student at Yonsei GSIS with International Trade, Finance and Management as major. After taking some courses on relations in East Asian politics and economics, I wanted to deepen my knowledge within the area and therefore applied to, and was accepted as, an intern for the EAI 10 weeks winter internship program. Already during the interview, I emphasized my specific interest in North Korean related issues and was therefore mainly placed to work under EAI’S Global North Korea project, where my foremost task was research related. Every week I read and compiled articles, papers and other publications from various sources, both governmental and independent, which were then sent to PhD students for further examination before being posted on the Global NK website. This task was specifically valuable to me as the research practice helped me prepare for my coming master thesis. I also got the opportunity to design a booklet for the Asian Democracy Research Project, which was a fun and creative work. I had to learn new programs and utilize my less used artistic skills. I am truly thankful for the internship opportunity at the East Asian Institute. I have gained insight in new areas and by working alongside the other interns I got to practice teamwork at the same time as making new friends. For future applicants, I recommend taking initiatives and not to be shy when it comes to you pursuing your specific interests.    

2020 Winter Internship Yawen Xu, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     Hi guys, my name is Yawen Xu and I study International Trade, Finance and Management at Yonsei University. I did my internship at East Asia Institute from January 1st to February 21st, 2020. I didn’t have any other working or internship experience in Korea, and my Korean was also very poor, so I was really grateful to EAI for providing me with such a precious chance. Teachers were friendly and patient to me and my partners helped me a lot as well. I think it is one of the best experiences I’ve ever owned. My main tasks here included organizing different kinds of journals, assisting with Chinese Energy study, helping revise emails and so on. Sometimes we were very busy with the work, for example, organizing articles, comments and news of worldwide think tanks for the whole year. I remembered that in order to accomplish this task as soon as possible, I kept doing it for about two hours at home every day after getting off work, even spent the weekend in Central Library. Though it seemed a little busy, I did enjoy the process of working hard. Global North Korea Conference was another interesting thing during my internship in EAI. Scholars were invited to share their newest research on North Korea and we were responsible for reception, transcript recording and other services. I was so excited to engage in this activity and learnt more about North Korea than before. In all, eight-week internship may not be very long if compared with a full-time job, while it was the first time for me to get so close with Korean top think tank and work with these excellent people who have different backgrounds. It makes me think more about and seek for our similarities though diversities seem more obvious. I will cherish this special experience in this special 2020.    

2019 Summer/Fall Internship Joel Petersson, Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies     My major is East Asian studies, so from the very beginning it felt very logical to work in a place called East Asia Institute. I was originally most interested in studying about China, but at EAI I got the chance to participate in many projects that covered Asia in a much broader perspective, from North Korea to Myanmar. Through my participation in a project on Korea-Japan relations I felt like I could finally understand better the complicated history of this region. EAI takes its mission as a think tank seriously, and arranges many lectures, seminars and conferences. Because of this, I unexpectedly became pretty good at organizing events. EAI also helped me become a better and more diligent researcher. EAI staff is good at showing appreciation for the work of interns. Especially during the second part of my internship, when I was the only intern, I felt like I became a part of the team.  I will look back fondly at my almost five months at EAI, where I not only learned so much, but made new friends and connections that will help me for years to come.