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As an academic and social institution, universities have a public responsibility to build a sustainable future. Kyung Hee University has established global and public partnerships with the international community and international organizations. In 2009, it founded the World Civic Forum, and in 2011, it co-hosted an international conference with The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. Along with our practical work, we also work in education through the Global Citizenship Education (GCED) program at HUMANITAS College. Internship programs at the United Nations, international organizations, and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Advisory Committee are opportunities for Kyung Hee-trained students to gain practical experience.

Last year, 11 students worked as interns for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office Korea(UNIDO ITPO Korea), World Food Program(WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Students received scholarships while gaining experience for three to six months. Recruitment for the 2022 academic year is open until Tuesday, April 26. Around 10 undergraduate and graduate students in their second to fourth year will be selected, and they will be sent to various organizations for three to six months. For more information, visit the Future Civilization Institute website and apply online.

(https://uninternship.khu.ac.kr/uninternship/user/main/view.do)

After the internship, Ha-young Park (Political Science and international Relations, '17) was offered a full-time position. At IOM, she works in the policy and communications department in charge of social media operations. The photo is an image from IOM's monthly newsletter created by Haeyoung Park. Source: International Organization for Migration Korea Representation Instagram.

(https://www.instagram.com/p/CTocLOXPtH-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&img_index=1)

Interning at the United Nations and International Organizations Student Ha-young Park receives offer for full-time position

Last year, Haeyoung Park (Political Science and International Relations '17), who participated in the United Nations and International Organizations internship, spent an unusual nine months working for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). After the first six months of her internship, she was asked to extend her stay and was later offered a full-time position. She was recognized for her outstanding work.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1951 that promotes the principle that "humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and societies. It was registered as a United Nations organization in 2016 and is now present in more than 100 countries, helping its 174 member states to improve migration management and promote safe, orderly, and regular migration for the benefit of all. The Korean Representation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where Ha-Young Park worked, was opened in 1999. It works with various government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society.

Ha-Young Park worked in the organization's policy and communications department in charge of social media operations. She participated in all aspects of the communication process, including content planning and development, uploading, and analyzing, as well as translation. She covered timely topics such as UN anniversaries, news from the International Organization for Migration, and news from the Korean delegation. In her report on the results of her work, Park explained, "I created content that provides a realistic view of global and domestic trends on migration and migrants, rather than mechanically emphasizing only positive aspects.“

"Challenges that helped me materialize my dreams and organize my values in life"

Student internships are a way to extend knowledge beyond the classroom and into society. "I was able to experience what I had experienced as a university student and how the theories I learned were applied in the real world," said Ha-young Park. "I witnessed how 'migration' is connected to all of our daily lives and society, and I realized the importance of the words we use to shape our thoughts and social atmosphere," she said. "I was able to materialize my dreams of 'working towards people' and 'working for someone's better tomorrow."

Rather than a specific goal of joining an international organization, Park pursued values for a better future. When Prof. Oh Joon was working as a U.N. ambassador, his speech at the 2014 U.N. Security Council, where the North Korean situation was put on the agenda, resonated with him, and she enrolled in the Department of Political Science and international Relations. "I wanted to do something that would help people dream of a better tomorrow, regardless of their nationality, and be a part of that process," she said, explaining why she applied for the internship. "I chose the internship as a way to challenge myself during my college career, and the international organization was the one that made my dreams come true." The internship helped her realize her dreams.

Through her internship, Ha-Young Park has been able to organize her values in life. Her abstract goals became clearer with words like "climate change," "communication," and "policy. "I can't say I've realized my dream yet. In the future, I will think about how to apply my values to the real world and study what I need," he said. "I thought I wanted to continue working at my current organization, but they offered me a full-time position at the end of my internship, so I stayed on. I am very grateful. I'm looking forward to staying on as an employee and achieving both institutional and personal goals.“

Kyung Hee University's internship with the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is coordinated by Prof. Bum-seok Baek of the Department of International Studies. Last semester, a total of three students were selected to accompany him to the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. Pictured on the right are, from left, Jeong-seon Park (International Studies, '18), Ji-hoon Kim (English Language and Literature, '16), and Seo-young Kim (Political Science and international Relations, '19). Photo courtesy of the students: Seo-young Kim, Jung-seon Park.

Professor Bum-seok Baek of the Department of International Studies, who is a consultant to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Kyung Hee University UNHRC Advisory Committee Internship is an opportunity for participating students to understand the role of the United Nations and how the Human Rights Council operates. Last semester, a total of three students were selected. They joined the work of Prof. Buhm-Suk Baek of the Department of International Studies, who is a member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is the Council's think tank. This year, the 27th session was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 25, and Prof. Baek served as the rapporteur for the report on 'New Technologies and Human Rights'. Students participating in the internship prepared and presented a report on the impact of new technologies on the protection and promotion of human rights.

Ji-hoon Kim(English Language and Literature, '16) participated in Prof. Baek presentation on "Research on Human Rights Risks of Technology Company Business Models. In his report, Kim said, "The internship gave me the opportunity to discuss and exchange opinions with the members of the advisory board despite being an undergraduate student. I had an experience that I couldn't have had anywhere else." "I am planning to go to graduate school, and I experienced research methods and how international organizations produce reports. It was also a privilege to witness top-notch research in my field. I feel much more confident about the future and plan to challenge myself in the field of international cooperation."