Category: Korean Studies

The Korea Society welcomes applications from prospective Youth Ambassadors for the 2012-2013 Project Bridge Program. This year’s program marks the 20th anniversary of Project Bridge, which was created in response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The Korea Society, in conjunction with the Los Angeles-based Pacific Century Institute, coordinates a year-long intercultural outreach program for high-school juniors and seniors. The program selects 16 student Youth Ambassadors and two adult group leaders from New York City and Los Angeles to participate in a series of bi-weekly meetings, a weekend retreat, and a fully subsidized ten-day study tour to Korea. The program aims to cultivate future community leaders and introduce them to U.S.- Korea relations with an emphasis on cultural and racial sensitivity and a firm understanding of Korea. High-school junior or senior students attending New York City and Los Angeles public schools are eligible to apply for this program. Applications must be postmarked by October 12, 2012.

Once selected, participants meet regularly for educational workshops which focus on topics such as Korean history, language, modern society, and U.S.-Korea relations, as well as the history of race relations in the U.S. Participants gain insights into Korea, acquire leadership skills, and develop intercultural understanding. The highlight of Project Bridge is a fully subsidized ten-day study tour of Korea, which begins in late March during Spring Recess, and includes visits to numerous historical sites as well as a homestay with Korean high-school students.

 

Program Schedule:

October 12, 2012  |  Application Postmark Deadline
November 19, 2012  |  Announcement of Finalists

For more information, please contact  Luz Lanzot  or call (212) 759-7525, ext. 309.

 

 

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APPLICATION FORM(Click and Download)
New York(Student deadline: Friday, October 12) (Group Leader deadline: Friday, October 12)	Los Angeles(Student deadline: Friday, October 12)
Group Leader Information Student Information Recommendation Form Application Form	Group Leader Information Student Information Recommendation Form Application Form

 

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Over the past six months, 16 Youth Ambassadors in New York and Los Angeles embarked in a journey of self-exploration and intercultural-leadership development that culminated with ten days of total immersion in Korean culture. On June 8th, eight New York-based Youth Ambassadors will share their experiences, including stories from a ten-day study tour to Korea with their Los Angeles partner-organization participants. Current New York City public high school sophomores and juniors are especially welcome to attend and learn more about how to apply to be part of Project Bridge 2012-2013.

Project Bridge 2011-12
Community Presentation

Friday, June 8, 2012
6 PM

@ Samsung Center for Cultural Exchange, The Korea Society
(950 Third Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY)

The Youth Ambassadors

Diana Cabrera, MLK Jr. High School for Law, Advocacy, and Community Justice
Ryan Chiew, Bronx High School of Science
Betty Fong, Hunter College High School
Hiba Rashid, East-West School of International Studies
Tenzing Ukyab, The Renaissance Charter School
Ricardo Johnson, Life Sciences Secondary School
Tafari John-King, Medgar Evers College Preparatory School
Timothy So, Long Island City High School
Kevin Akinfolarin, Inglewood High School
Colin Dowdell, California Academy of Mathematics and Science
Dylan Ptacek, Agoura Hills High School
Ricardo Romero, Jefferson High School
Celeste Huizar, Roosevelt High School
Tiffany Kha, Temple City High School
Stephany Bernabe Heritage, College Ready Academy High School
Claudia Tsau, Gabrielino High School

During the 2011 academic school year, eight students from Los Angeles and New York City public schools were chosen to participate in the Project Bridge Program. Bi-monthly sessions were held at the Korea Society with the New York students dealing with the importance of political correctness, race relations and multiculturalism as it relates to the US context. On matters relating to Korea, the Youth Ambassadors participated in workshops on the Korean economy, literature and the issue of the divided Korean peninsula.

Following four months of discussions, the program culminated with the Youth Ambassadors from both cities meeting in South Korea for an culturally immersive 10 day tour. The Ambassadors were treated to a homestay visit with their counterparts at Banpo High School.. Through the generosity of the Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Automotive and POSCO, the students were given an up-close look at the innovators in Korea’s modern economy, The trip also provided first hand exposure to Korea’s well preserved history with a visit to the Jeonju Hanok Village, a temple stay at the Seonunsa Temple and a traditional Tongrae Dance Workshop.