Numerous public institutions in Korea regularly engage in diverse public diplomacy projects to further the understanding of this country, and to nurture experts on the Korean Peninsula. As a part of this effort, KDI School worked in concert with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate the ‘Junior Scholar Fellowship Program’ for graduate students studying in Korea, which was held between 4th and 15th of the July 2022. 

1. Participants and Objectives of the Program 

The main target of the program was 60 students from China, Japan, and the United States currently enrolled in Master's and Ph.D. programs in Korean educational institutions. The aim of the program was to provide the participants a platform of deep understanding about the political, cultural and social landscape of the Korean Peninsula, which expands and fosters Korea-friendly experts among the participants.

The participants were given the opportunity to learn about Korean culture, politics, history, and other key subject areas through both lectures and field trips to Seoul, Jeju, Busan, and Ulsan, over a period of about two weeks. According to the report, the participants believed that the program was an invaluable opportunity to experience diverse aspects of Korea and to deepen their understanding of the country they are studying.

2. Content of the Program 

Content of the program was mainly designed and focused on the political, social, and cultural advancement and issues related to Korea and how the emerging junior scholars can play a role in further strengthening the relationship between their countries and Korea. As such, the daily schedule of the program was divided into two main parts, comprehensive lectures on different topics were delivered during the morning session and during the afternoon session, participants from different countries with diverse backgrounds were divided into different groups to discuss the issues that were raised during the lecture sessions and expand their network by making new friends. Program instructors were matched based on their area of expertise in relation to the topic being covered.

3. Participant from KDIS

One of the participants in this program from KDIS was Li Sha Sha. She is from China and currently pursuing her master’s degree in public management at KDIS. She is a public servant who works in the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission. She believed that the “2022 MOFA Junior Scholar Fellowship was a program that included all major topics about Korean politics, economy, culture, and society. The program also included field trips and cultural experience, which provided us a chance to visit and experience the historical places and cultural significance in the country.”

Furthermore, she said that “I have a wonderful memory of this unforgettable trip, all the participants became friends. I have learned much about the new relationship between China and South Korea. For our younger generation, my suggestion is that we should take history as a mirror and create the future. We should learn more about history and attempt to respect each other and respect the sovereignty and integrity of the country, that’s the basis. Then, the best way to eliminate misunderstandings is to feel the country in person, maintain a neutral and rational attitude to feel the whole of the country, and eliminate old prejudices from a new perspective.”

KDI School of Public Policy is always looking forward to providing the best opportunities to its students to enable them to not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also to experience the development dynamics and rich cultural heritage of Korea. Thus, students are always encouraged to participate in the programs and opportunities provided by the school. Follow the KDI School’s official Facebook page for updates (https://www.facebook.com/KDISofficial) and be sure to check out  KDI School’s official website (https://www.kdischool.ac.kr/).