Greetings from South Korea! I am Kseniia, a 2024 UNESCO Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) in Seoul.
Before diving into the details of my incredible experience in South Korea, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for reading this post. I also extend a huge and sincere thanks to the IEP and APCEIU for providing such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do this internship and be exposed to the UNESCO perspective this summer!
Prior to my application to the program, I was certain about my academic and career aspirations, along with my research proposal on Global Citizenship Education (GCED). Additionally, due to my previous work experience as an educator in China and several trips across Asia, I have always had a deep curiosity and passion for the Asian region. Therefore, the prospect of joining a UNESCO office aligned with my research, work experience, and regional interest seemed like an overly optimistic "utopian" dream, which I thought would unlikely come true.
After over a month into my internship, I am still pinching myself to check if I am dreaming. I was so thrilled to have been selected for the APCEIU office, which focuses on promoting Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for International Understanding (EIU) across the entire Asia-Pacific region for educators – perfectly aligning with my academic interests.
APCEIU, located in Seoul and established by an agreement between UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of Korea, aims to enable learners to critically analyze the root causes of inequalities, discrimination, hatred, violence, and ecological destruction, enhance interpersonal, social, and ecological empathy, and engage in acts of solidarity and cooperation to address these issues. APCEIU is mandated to:
- strengthen regional and sub-regional capacities in planning and implementing a broad range of practices in EIU and GCED;
- encourage and facilitate collaborative links between Asia-Pacific initiatives and other regional, international, and global efforts in education;
- carry out research and development related to the philosophy, teaching methods, and curricula in the field of EIU and GCED;
- organize training workshops and seminars on EIU and GCED;
- produce and disseminate teaching/learning materials and other publications on EIU and GCED;
- undertake other activities to promote EIU and GCED in the Asia-Pacific region.
Specifically, the Office of Education and Training (ENT), to which I was assigned, is responsible for points 3, 4, and 5 of the mentioned mandate. Hence, my primary duties and responsibilities include assisting with the organization and implementation of training workshops and mentorship programs for educators and policymakers, as well as facilitating in-depth discussions with renowned experts on the importance of integrating GCED elements into contemporary education.
As an avid traveler, my first two weeks in Seoul have been incredibly fulfilling. I have had the pleasure of exploring many of the city's historical and cultural landmarks. Seoul, renowned for its five Royal Palaces, has been a joy to discover, as I have managed to visit each one of them!
One of the most thrilling aspects of my internship is the opportunity to share this experience with another IEP student and my friend, Michanda Aimé, who is assigned to the Institute of Global Citizenship Education at APCEIU. I am excited to explore the vibrant city of Seoul, discovering its beauty and culture firsthand together with her.
감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) for your attention to the post, and stay tuned for the next one!
Kseniia is a Master’s Candidate in International Education Program at the George Washington
University. Her academic and research interests are related to Global Citizenship and Human
Rights Education with a concentration in Teacher Education and Pedagogy.