Friends of Korea
Visit our Facebook page
  • Welcome
    • Kevin O'Donnell Distinguished Friend of Korea Award - call for nominations >
      • 2022 Honoree - Sukhee Kang
      • 2021 Honoree - Mr. Kim Jong-chan
      • 2020 Honoree - Kenneth Klein
      • 2019 Honorees - Bruce Ballard & Sook Nyul Choi
      • 2018 Honoree - Shim Jai Ok
      • 2017 Honorees - Pioneers in Korean Studies
      • 2016 Honoree - Amb. Kathy Stephens
    • Reflections on Service
    • Peace Corps - an essay by G. Krzic
    • A Simple Prayer - a musical tribute
    • Remembering in the time of COVID-19
    • Photos and Videos >
      • Photo Gallery: Biwon in Winter
      • Video Gallery
      • Photo Gallery: Arriving in Korea
      • Photo Gallery: TB Program in Korea
      • Photo Gallery: Road Show 1981
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Statement on diversity and respect
    • Board of Directors
    • Annual Reports
    • Honorary Membership
    • KOICA/World Friends Korea
    • FOK Blog
    • Past Annual Meetings >
      • 2018 Annual Meeting >
        • 2018 annual meeting - slide show
      • 2017 Annual Meeting >
        • 2017 annual mtg photo gallery
      • 2016 Annual Meeting >
        • 2016 annual mtg photo galllery
      • 2015 Annual Meeting >
        • 2015 Annual Mtg Photo Gallery
  • Resources
    • FoK Webinars - 2022 >
      • FoK Webinars - 2021 >
        • 2020 Webinars
        • Korean Studies and Peace Corps Volunteers
    • Korea Times column
    • Newsletters >
      • Yobosayo - June 2020
      • Yobosayo - Nov 2019 >
        • Suggestions for further reading
      • Yobosayo - March 2019
      • Yobosayo - May 2018
      • Yobosayo - November 2017
      • Yobosayo - April 2017
    • News about Korea
    • News Sources
    • Korean Cultural Treasures
    • Korean Food >
      • Dining Out in North America: Korea Style
    • Blogs of Interest
  • Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting - video
    • 2021 Annual Meeting - video
    • 2020 Annual Meeting - video
    • Revisit Trips >
      • Impressions of the revisits
      • Slide Show - Korea, Then and Now
    • 2018 Reunion - LA >
      • In Remembrance - A Tribute
    • Upcoming Events - Universities
    • Upcoming events: KEI & Korea Society
    • Upcoming events: Korean Cultural Centers - DC, NYC & LA
    • Past Events >
      • Seoul in Sept 2016
      • Korean Cultural Day in LA, June 5
      • ROK the Rockies - June 19-21, 2015
  • Projects
    • Giving Back
    • Project Bridge - Youth Ambassadors
    • USC Archives - PC Korea
    • The Korean Transformation
    • Photo Exhibit >
      • Slide Show - Opening of Photo Exhibit in LA Jan 2012
      • Scenes from Ohio Exhibit
      • FOK Publication -- "Through Our Eyes"
    • The Museum Project >
      • Exhibit opening
      • Museum Slide Show
      • Video -- MOU signing & volunteer interviews
  • Support Us
    • Join us
    • Join offline
    • Give the gift of membership
    • Peace Corps Korea Store - Zazzle
    • Amazon Smile
  • Contact Us
    • Event to share?
    • Update your address
    • News to share?
    • Publications Update Form

Photos to Remember

12/10/2014

1 Comment

 
By Kristin Krzic, FOK member & Guest Blogger
Picture
On Tuesday, December 9, 2014, I had the honor of attending a reception celebrating a permanent photo exhibit from returned Peace Volunteers from Korea (many now members of the Friends of Korea) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in the Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C.  

The Peace Corps photos might be strange to some of my millennial peers, but I was used to seeing these black and white photos.  The reason: my dad was a volunteer in Korea in the late 70's. To me, each photo reflected the passion and sincerity of the volunteers’ efforts from long ago – creating a bond so strong that it endures four decades after the Peace Corps left Korea!

Although I was not a Peace Corps volunteer, I would like to think that I shared some of the same emotions today as the volunteers who served in Korea.

It was also wonderful to see the KOICA pictures as part of the permanent display. The tradition and dedication of the Peace Corps Volunteers continues in the world – except now it carries a Korean passion and perspective.  When I was studying at Ohio State, I learned about the concept “multiplier effect.” Today, I saw it in action – through the KOICA pictures.  
I enjoyed hearing the current director of Peace Corps, Ms. Carrie Hessler-Radelet, describe her experience volunteering in Western Samoa and her impressions of the Korean volunteers. She said she had a “warm spot” in her heart for Friends of Korea. I feel the same as I have witnessed these individuals create people-to-people bonds that have lasted a lifetime.  It is also amazing to note that of the over 200,000 PCVs that have served in 139 different countries, Korea is the only country to have a permanent photo display in Peace Corps headquarters!

One of my father’s former students, Mr. Byunghong Park (박병홍), was also in attendance. Mr. Park now works at the Korean Embassy in Washington.  Even though it was a long time ago, he still has vivid memories about his experiences at middle school with his Peace Corps teacher.  He smiled and laughed when he brought up memories from the past. 
Picture
Peace Corps Director, Ms. Carrie Hessler-Radelet
Picture
Korea RPCV David Lassiter & Mr. Byunghong Park
If your work happens to bring you to the Peace Corps headquarters in DC, I encourage you to visit the photo exhibit. At the very least, you will see a fascinating display of young Koreans and Americans serving in the world. And -- who knows -- it just might make you decide to volunteer!

1 Comment
Britney Knox link
6/9/2022 11:04:58 pm

Grateful for shariing this

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Friends of Korea

    This is a BLOG for and about Friends of Korea.

    Archives

    May 2019
    August 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    November 2012

    Categories

    All
    K-Pop

    RSS Feed

Friends of Korea 
fostering cultural awareness and friendship between 
Americans and Koreans

​​2021 L Street, NW
Suite 101-403

Washington, DC 20036
contact@friendsofkorea.net

Support FOK when you shop at Amazon.com
Copyright  © 2013-2023 Friends of Korea  ​​