As a foreign service officer in South Korea for more than five years, I acquired a great deal of diplomatic and consular work experience and knowledge at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea and the Korean Consulate in Auckland, New Zealand. However, I have always thought that my desire to learn more about world issues has been increasing over time, which led me to pursue the master’s in the Global Affairs program at George Mason. Luckily, in the third semester, I had the chance to bridge the academic theories that I learned in coursework with real-world applications through an internship at the Global America Business Institute (GABI). I was thankful for the opportunity to combine the theoretical frameworks and concepts that I had learned in my courses with hands-on experience. This internship provided invaluable practical experience and insights that complement my expertise in diplomacy and the knowledge I have gained through my coursework.
Established in 2011, GABI focuses on diverse global issues, aiming to equip leaders with nuanced understandings of international challenges. My responsibilities included research, writing, data collection, analysis, and contributing to GABI’s outreach and activities. After discussing my goals for the internship with GABI’s Director of Program and Strategy, we decided my work should focus on researching the demographic crisis stemming from ultra-low fertility in South Korea. During my internship at GABI, I was encouraged to approach this topic critically and analytically, enhancing my ability to interpret demographic data and refine policy recommendations.
Fertility issues are often discussed in relation to economic, cultural, and social factors. Diving deep into the issues allows for a comprehensive understanding of their impacts on society. I also explored fertility response policies in Europe. By comparing South Korea's crisis with European fertility response policies, I was able to broaden my perspective on how different regions respond to similar challenges. In particular, the graduate courses I took, such as Population Policies and Politics and Immigration Policy and Politics, provided foundational theories and knowledge that I applied throughout my research. This application led me to focus on migrant and diaspora policies. Through this research experience, I realized that diaspora policy can play a crucial role as one of the alternatives to address the unprecedented demographic crisis represented by ultra-low fertility rates. Additionally, graduate courses such as Interdisciplinary Research Methods and Applied Approaches in Diplomacy courses equipped me with tools for data analysis and qualitative research, which were essential to my internship at GABI. Based on the theories, research methods, expertise, and experience I have honed in the Global Affairs program and GABI Internship, my research journey will culminate through Capstone Research Seminar in the spring semester of 2025.
My internship at GABI has not only deepened my understanding of global affairs but also allowed me to apply academic theories directly to diplomatic issues that I may address as a future South Korean diplomat. By synthesizing research insights with GABI’s professional environment, I developed critical thinking and policy analysis skills that are crucial for my career. This internship has been a pivotal step in implementing my final capstone project for the MA in Global Affairs. Moreover, by bridging theory with real-world practice, the internship further refined my expertise and prepared me to navigate the complexities of global issues with confidence and experience, which will ultimately be a crucial cornerstone for me to further develop my career as a foreign service officer.