The Salzburg Global Seminar – Korea Foundation Fellowship connects Korean leaders with a diverse, innovative, and global network of Fellows
Salzburg Global Seminar asked Namhee Joo, a Fellow taking part in the first year of the program, about her experience.
“My name is Namhee Joo. I am a postdoctoral researcher on cultural heritage, specialized in policy network analysis. Now I live in Salzburg, Austria with more than nine years of arts education program management. As a research professor, I manage online training programs on climate change and disaster management of architectural heritage for Cambodia.”
Through the Fellowship, Namhee is taking part in the Emerging Urban Leaders program.
“It's a really amazing opportunity to understand the people who work in the economic field and how to get funds for projects, and to think about other perspectives to understand the city itself. Talking to urban planners and city governments, to all these different stakeholders, allows me to understand a better solution for the city.”
As part of the Fellowship, each Fellow is assigned with a mentor to provide professional guidance and strengthen cross-cultural relationships.
“Salzburg Global Seminar connected me to Patricia Alberth, who is the Head of World Heritage Office in the city of Bamberg, Germany. We talked about the laws and policies around intangible cultural heritage between Korea and Germany. Historically and culturally, to understand conservation and restoration of the heritage itself will make us understand the two countries. We are thinking of publishing an article to make people understand the two countries better.”
Each Fellow produces a capstone project that builds on the learnings of their Fellowship and contributes to the impact in their respective areas.
“Next year in 2022, South Korea and Austria will commemorate the 130th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. I would like to develop objectives and strategies for culture and art projects. There was a Royal Palace Festival via YouTube channel. It’s not completely the same as the feeling we can enjoy on-site, but I think those kinds of technologies and devices make us connect together no matter where we are. I really want to make a better way to achieve this goal for Austria and Korea.”
Salzburg Global Seminar: What does being Korean mean to you in this global age?
“Maybe three or four years ago, when you go to Europe people ask: ‘Where are you from? China or Japan?’ But these days, what I experienced is: ‘Namhee, have you ever watched Squid Game? or ‘Have you ever listened to BTS?’ So now people ask me ‘What’s your country?’ more than before. Because my major is cultural heritage management, when people ask me about Korea, I feel more honored and glad to share our philosophy, our history and our culture.”
Why do you recommend the Korea Foundation Fellowship?
“All careers start from an interest. The time that you have accumulated in your career will eventually lead you to people that likewise strived to move forward in their careers. The Korea Foundation Fellowship has allowed me to meet people who have expanded my horizons, which is quite meaningful. I thought that my career was a difficult and lonely journey, but there was comfort just knowing that there are others just like me in this world who are trying their best to build their unique careers. The Korea Foundation Fellowship gave me the opportunity to ask, ‘How can we better contribute to the people and society through our work?’, And that is why I recommend this program.”
For more information, check out our program!
