Basis for the realization of my dream

 

I worked for CAF (development bank of Latin America) which is located in Caracas, Venezuela as an intern during six month. CAF is a multilateral development bank that supports sustainable development and regional integration in Latin America. I got this opportunity through the internship program that operates ministry of foreign affairs of Korea in cooperation with regional organization in Latin America.

 When I saw the announcement of that program, I hesitated to apply for that because i had felt myself lack of my local language skill and background knowledge to work for that organization with many foreigners, nevertheless I applied for that program because I thought this opportunity never would be back and be the useful experience as a graduate school student to be the specialist in Latin American region.

 Fortunately, I got this opportunity and I flied to Venezuela with the excitement about the first trip to Latin America and the new experience in different environment with Korea. CAF accepted firstly an intern from Korea, so I felt a big sense of responsibility when I started to work for CAF, but thanks to the kindness of CAF’s employees, I could do my work easing the burden that I was first intern from Korea.

The main job that I had to do was to present at the end of each month about the history of economic development of Korea and financial institution or international cooperation agency so that we can find the way to cooperate between CAF and Korea. This work made me feel proud of that I’m Korean, because after my presentation, many employees admired greatly for the result of economic development in a short period of time. Through the presentation I could meet many employees of other department in CAF and they showed their great interest in Korean culture and economy to me, who was a unique intern from Asia in CAF.

It was a pleasure to have a conversation in Spanish about Korea or various issues occurring in Latin America, because as having conversation with employees of CAF, I could make a use Spanish and knowledge related to Latin America that I learned from university and also just meeting with persons who are working for the regional institution that I just learned from textbook was like gaining big assets in my life. At the end of my internship, I got good news, it is that CAF and Korea are going to sign MOU on cooperation through KSP (Knowledge Sharing Program) and EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund). Although it is a result of the efforts between both parts through the official channel, I felt proud of that I merely contributed to be made this result.

 After the internship in this regional organization during six month, I got more confidence by myself in terms of using local language and making a relationship with foreigner, furthermore I recognized that I had grown up more to be the specialist on Latin American region which is my dream, so I think that this valuable experience can be the basis for the realization of my dream.    

 Finally, I would like to recommend all of students who are interested in working for international institution to challenge to the opportunity surely when it is coming.