Project Bridge Youth Ambassadors
Project Bridge LA 2019-2021 cohort
Project Bridge NY Cohort 2019-2021
Since 2018, through a generous grant from the Pacific Century Institute, Friends of Korea has welcomed 32 new lifetime members. These young members were participants in the 2018 and the 2019 Project Bridge Youth Ambassadors Program.
Project Bridge, whose name captures the goal of reaching across ethnic and cultural divides, aims to help young people develop insights and skills needed to “bridge” the gaps between people of divergent cultural heritages. By fostering greater intercultural awareness and understanding, it empowers the youth ambassadors to view social and cultural differences as a pathway - not a barrier - to exercise their responsibilities as emerging young leaders in an increasingly interconnected and richly diverse world while educating them on the long-standing and close relationship between the peoples of Korea and the U.S.
The Program was started in 1993 by The Korea Society in New York and the Pacific Century Institute in Los Angeles as a response to Sa-I-Gu, otherwise known as the 1992 Los Angeles riots. It cultivates students’ understanding of race relations using Korea as a case study and helps young Americans of diverse backgrounds build an understanding of the importance of the US-Korean relationship. It remains a signature program for both organizations.
Since 1993, each year 16 public high school junior or senior students—8 from New York City and 8 from Los Angeles—are selected through a rigorous vetting process. During the academic year, youth ambassadors participate in bi-monthly workshops and are introduced to a wide range of topics spanning Korean history, the Korean war, education, language, arts and cultural values, and Sai-I-Gu race riot. They explore current events, U.S. and regional relationships, and the economic factors that led to the ‘Miracle on the Han’. Outside experts frequently lead lively and informative discussions.
While the Program culminates in community presentations and a graduation ceremony, the study tour to the Republic of Korea is a high point of the Program enabling students to experience Korea socially and culturally. During this all expenses paid ten-day tour students have abundant opportunities to engage with Korean high school students and teachers, corporate leaders, government officials, journalists, monks and many others as they travel around the country experiencing both city and rural life. In the past they have visited ministries, corporations, trade associations, museums, folk villages and universities. They have had home stays with high school students and an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple. Throughout the tour they gain a deeper understanding of the unique and close relationship between the U.S. and Korea.
Project Bridge, whose name captures the goal of reaching across ethnic and cultural divides, aims to help young people develop insights and skills needed to “bridge” the gaps between people of divergent cultural heritages. By fostering greater intercultural awareness and understanding, it empowers the youth ambassadors to view social and cultural differences as a pathway - not a barrier - to exercise their responsibilities as emerging young leaders in an increasingly interconnected and richly diverse world while educating them on the long-standing and close relationship between the peoples of Korea and the U.S.
The Program was started in 1993 by The Korea Society in New York and the Pacific Century Institute in Los Angeles as a response to Sa-I-Gu, otherwise known as the 1992 Los Angeles riots. It cultivates students’ understanding of race relations using Korea as a case study and helps young Americans of diverse backgrounds build an understanding of the importance of the US-Korean relationship. It remains a signature program for both organizations.
Since 1993, each year 16 public high school junior or senior students—8 from New York City and 8 from Los Angeles—are selected through a rigorous vetting process. During the academic year, youth ambassadors participate in bi-monthly workshops and are introduced to a wide range of topics spanning Korean history, the Korean war, education, language, arts and cultural values, and Sai-I-Gu race riot. They explore current events, U.S. and regional relationships, and the economic factors that led to the ‘Miracle on the Han’. Outside experts frequently lead lively and informative discussions.
While the Program culminates in community presentations and a graduation ceremony, the study tour to the Republic of Korea is a high point of the Program enabling students to experience Korea socially and culturally. During this all expenses paid ten-day tour students have abundant opportunities to engage with Korean high school students and teachers, corporate leaders, government officials, journalists, monks and many others as they travel around the country experiencing both city and rural life. In the past they have visited ministries, corporations, trade associations, museums, folk villages and universities. They have had home stays with high school students and an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple. Throughout the tour they gain a deeper understanding of the unique and close relationship between the U.S. and Korea.
Friends of Korea will welcome a new cohort of students in 2021. In addition to the 16 students from New York and Los Angeles, four public high school students from Missoula, Montana will join. Last year the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana joined as a Project Bridge partner, introducing a rural demographic to the Program.
Through PCI’s sponsorship of lifetime membership, Project Bridge students have opportunities for ongoing engagement with Korea, Koreans, and Korean Americans through FoK activities. And FoK has the opportunity to welcome and integrate into its structure a younger demographic advancing our ability to sustain our mission of fostering cultural awareness, understanding and friendship between Americans and Koreans.
The Youth Ambassadors are extremely talented, articulate, interesting and enthusiastic students. With our shared interest in Korea, they will be an integral part of Friends of Korea moving forward. We are delighted to welcome them!
Through PCI’s sponsorship of lifetime membership, Project Bridge students have opportunities for ongoing engagement with Korea, Koreans, and Korean Americans through FoK activities. And FoK has the opportunity to welcome and integrate into its structure a younger demographic advancing our ability to sustain our mission of fostering cultural awareness, understanding and friendship between Americans and Koreans.
The Youth Ambassadors are extremely talented, articulate, interesting and enthusiastic students. With our shared interest in Korea, they will be an integral part of Friends of Korea moving forward. We are delighted to welcome them!
Updated: February 2021
Project Bridge 2019 Study Tour