KF뉴스레터-The KF Global Challengers Program

I currently work on internal and external communications for the Communications Directorate General of the European Parliament (EP), where my main duties involve administrative affairs for the European Citizen’s Prize. I also help with marketing, internal communications, research, and preparation work for the award ceremony. Although it’s mostly administrative work, the position demands cooperative coordination with outside departments and personnel, which will hopefully help me develop a more thorough understanding of the links among different departments in the EP.
The head of the department recognizes that internships offer learning opportunities for students, and thus encourages interns to gain both direct and indirect experience through a variety of tasks. For instance, I was able to attend one of the EP’s plenary sessions in Strasbourg. The session is a part of the EP’s lawmaking process, in which the politics, economics, and social issues of Europe are extensively discussed, making it the perfect place to familiarize yourself with the key issues facing European politicians. Not only has the KF has provided me with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in an international work culture, but the internship has sharpened and diversified my academic perspective. I won’t be satisfied with just learning, however, as I plan to continue working to better inform Europeans about Korea.

European Parliament Directorate General for Communications Events
and Exhibitions Unit, European Citizens’ Prize
Eom Garam

I currently work at the Policy Department of the Directorate General for External Policies (DG EXPO) of the European Parliament, focusing on commerce with Asian countries. My opinions are directly reflected in various decision-making processes, and I’m playing a major role in writing an upcoming report on the revised Korea-EU FTA agreement, which includes a chapter on investment. To ensure the report’s accuracy, I stay busy by coordinating the efforts of the Korean Embassy in Bel gium and Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy for the provisions of necessary documents, but I’m happy to do so, as this is what I’ve always wanted to do. My duties are incredibly important and I fulfill them with pride, as I can help to facilitate the EP’s commercial relationship with Korea and compile essential data for the work of establishing trade policies. When I started my master’s degree program, I made it my goal to one day partake, both directly and indirectly, in the formation of the EP’s trade policies, and I’m very pleased to know that that I’m achieving that goal here, slowly but surely. I hope to continue writing reports on both Korea and Northeast Asia, attend meetings held by the Committee on International Trade, and continue to assist the development of the EP’s trade policy with Northeast Asia.