KOREA FOUNDATION

As a public diplomacy institute, the Korea Foundation promotes a better understanding of Korea within the international community and fosters international exchange, creating and distributing varied English-language content to this end. Our copy editor, Jamie Lypka of the KF Arts and Culture department, ensures that all such materials feature accurate English. She shares her story of working joyfully amid the scenic beauty of Jeju Island.

Q. Hello. Please introduce yourself to us!
Hello, I’m Jamie Lypka from New York. I work as an English copy editor in the KF’s Arts and Culture department. I edit the English-language materials that the KF publishes for the public, reviewing and proofreading them to make sure they use accurate English. I started working at the KF last summer, so it’s been almost a year since I’ve moved to Jeju Island.*
*The KF has its headquarters on Jeju Island, its Global Center in Seoul, and the ASEAN Culture House in Busan.

Q. How did you come to the KF?
I was in Seoul before and wanted to come to Jeju because it’s cleaner and quieter. I was looking for a job in Jeju that’s related to international studies, and I found the KF!

Q. Would you summarize the KF in one sentence, and tell us why?
As the KF vision is “connecting people, bridging the world,” I can really see the emphasis on “connecting people.” There are so many programs that bring people from different backgrounds together to learn about Korea! The KF invites foreign figures and next-generation leaders to visit and learn in Korea, and it builds a network for international cooperation by holding forums and seminars around the world. There’s also the Korea Festival, a key project that’s a collection of cultural events bridging Korean and international cultures.

Q. How did you come to Korea, and what is the most attractive aspect of Korea?
In 2008, I finished my studies in Europe and wanted to go someplace different, so I came to Korea. In Asia, I had only been to Japan before and I wanted to go a totally new place, which was Korea! So I lived here for a year from 2008 to 2009. I left and came back again in 2012, and I’ve been living here since. The most attractive aspect is that Korea has everything. It’s beautiful, a good size to travel around, and you also have lots of big cities!

Q. What do you think are the three most distinctive characteristics that Korea has compared to the US?

For starters, the food culture is different. Everything here is really fresh. Vegetables, seafood, and everything else comes locally, so it’s all so fresh! Korea has a good social welfare system, too, especially regarding health insurance. It’s mandatory for all Koreans and makes hospital visits so affordable. Lastly, Koreans work really hard. Students study really hard, and workers are so motivated!

Q. When do you most miss your home in the US? Would you like to leave a message for your family?
I miss them mostly during holiday seasons in the fall and winter, around Thanksgiving and Christmas! I’d like to say “I love you and I miss you!” to my family.

Q. I heard the COVID-19 situation in the US is serious. How are your family and friends?
So far, everyone’s okay, but it’s strange to see everyone working from home. At first, my friends and family were asking me if I was okay in Korea. But now, the situation in New York is more serious because there are a lot of people from different economic backgrounds living in the state. I think private companies should support them and donate to help this situation. I hope it gets better. I hope America will take note of Korea’s COVID-19 response and get through this well!

Q. Any other comment for KF Newsletter readers?
Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in the KF’s projects, and to all the readers of the KF Newsletter! As a copy editor, I’ll work hard to make sure we communicate with you using effective and accurate English in the KF Newsletter.

Interview by Kang Da-in, Program Officer, Future Planning/Public Relations Task Force
Photographs by Han Su-Jin, Program Officer, Korean Studies Department