| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
pedrotaves
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
|
 Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:18 am Post subject: Political Volunteering Opportunities |
 |
|
I'm looking for some volunteer opportunities (preferably dealing with Korean politics/foreign relations) here in Seoul. I'd like to come back to the US with at least some relevant foreign work experience. Could anyone point me in the right direction?
Also, one small problem that I foresee. I don't speak Korean--I'm at a beginner's level. Near absolute beginner, really. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Modernist
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Location: The 90s
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| volunteer opportunities (preferably dealing with Korean politics/foreign relations) |
| Quote: |
| I don't speak Korean |
Let's try this with some other countries. I want to deal with Russian politics and foreign relations--but I don't speak Russian! I want to deal with French politics and foreign relations--but I don't speak French! I want to deal with American politics and foreign relations--but I don't speak English!
I think you'll find that in these two areas above just about all others, every country in the world is going to demand you speak their native language, pretty damn close to fluently. That's kind of the key aspect, don't you think? Why would they bother with you, a foreigner, with all of your cultural ignorance and strange customs and completely different way of thinking, ON TOP of having to delegate one of the relatively uncommon conversational English speakers at their agency/department/organization to communicate with you all the time? Why would anyone, anywhere want to deal with that hassle? What would you bring to the table that would outweigh it?
And of course this isn't even getting into Korea specifically, and how nativist they tend to be in their politics and foreign policy. When was the last time you heard an American president or senator or secretary or anyone endorse a candidate here, or take a position on Korean domestic policy? Exactly. They don't want foreigners involved in their politics. They may sail in the wake of America's foreign policy, but by God they want it to LOOK like they are charting their own course [see the whole load of ridiculousness about USFK deployment locations in Yongsan and this new base in Jeju, among many many other examples].
Unless you learn Korean, quite well, you won't be working or volunteering in Korean politics or policy. Just like I won't be working in Korean land development or urban affairs. Some areas are just off the table for expats. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pedrotaves
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
Granted I have no experience in dealing with volunteering in Korea, but I would think it would be a bit foolish to assume that Korean political activists would have no interest in an English speaker--specifically an American. Korean foreign policy largely deals with the North. The US is the leading opponent of NK today, and I would think that South Koreans would have a very vested interest in communicating their needs and goals to an American audience. This could encompass any variety of things, be it writing up reports and posting them online, petitioning American politicians and NGOs, etc.
Anyway, I just think its every bit as foolish to think that a non-Korean speaking American has ZERO value to Korean political organizations as it is to wonder whether or not such opportunities even exist. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
| What visa are you on? Political activity is illegal for most visas and from what you describe, it's probably illegal. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pedrotaves
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
| OK, cool. Thanks for the helpful info. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isisaredead
Joined: 18 May 2010
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:41 am Post subject: Re: Political Volunteering Opportunities |
|
|
| pedrotaves wrote: |
I'm looking for some volunteer opportunities (preferably dealing with Korean politics/foreign relations) here in Seoul. I'd like to come back to the US with at least some relevant foreign work experience. Could anyone point me in the right direction?
Also, one small problem that I foresee. I don't speak Korean--I'm at a beginner's level. Near absolute beginner, really. |
no one else has a problem with that part? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pedrotaves
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Clarification: relevant foreign working experience for someone aspiring to attend a top-10 IR grad program. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
toonchoon
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Location: Gangnam
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Tip: don't get caught demonstrating cos you'll face deportation. Trust. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Modernist
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Location: The 90s
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I would think that South Koreans would have a very vested interest in communicating their needs and goals to an American audience. This could encompass any variety of things, be it writing up reports and posting them online, petitioning American politicians and NGOs, etc. |
Hah. Aren't you just the eager little worker bee. Here's a little insight for you: they have a Foreign Ministry that's pretty well-staffed. Just about everyone there speaks excellent English; they are some of the top graduates in a country of top graduates. I think they can handle 'communicating their needs and goals to an American audience' when necessary without your help.
This isn't Albania, or Guyana, or the Central African Republic. This is a wealthy, advanced country with a long tradition of punching above its weight in foreign affairs and national interests, especially considering its immediate neighborhood. I'd compare it to Israel, or perhaps Colombia, in skillfully managing a strong relationship with America. Do a little homework, hmm?
| Quote: |
| relevant foreign working experience for someone aspiring to attend a top-10 IR grad program. |
Oh, one of those. What, did you read too many issues of Foreign Policy? All those ads for SFS and SAIS and Elliot and Fletcher just get you all hot and bothered? I went to one of them once. It's a fun little talk-shop for a few semesters, sure, but what do you think a M.S. in 'International [something]' is going to do for you in the job market? What, will State and Brookings and the IMF and UNDP and Booz Allen and RAND just be knocking down your door with offers for the glamorous analyst/consultant jet-setting life at 150K a year? Is that the plan? Good luck with that.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Modernist
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Location: The 90s
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| no one else has a problem with that part? |
| |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
