Seo Ji-ha’s Success Story with IPP Project Group
Reporter Seo Yea-weon
seoyeaweon@naver.com
Starting with the IPP project Group’s Industrial Professional Practice program. Seo Ji-ha got a good opportunity to work for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) after the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Vietnam. The IPP Project is supported by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to support the employment of students by operating work-learning parallel and Industry Professional Practice programs for students. The Woeseong Times interviewed Seo Ji-ha and from now on, let’s listen to her story and her hope so that BUFSians will also have a passion for challenges and gain confidence.
Q1. Please introduce yourself.
A. Hello, I am Seo Ji-ha, majoring in the Vietnamese language at Busan University of Foreign Studies. I am currently an intern in the Department of Human Resources in Rome, Italy, the headquarter of IFAD through the OASIS program of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Q2. What made you apply for the Department of Vietnamese Language?
A. To be honest, when I entered college, I did not know which department to choose. One of my mother's acquaintances said that if I could speak Vietnamese, at least, I would not starve to death. Also, when I entered the school, there was a Southeast Asian business group in the Department of Creative Convergence in Southeast Asia, which the budget was high for student support. Those are the main reasons why I decided to study Vietnamese.
With the KOICA employees. Provided by Seo Ji-ha
Q3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of living abroad compared to Korea?
A. Advantages
- Diversity : Working with people from various countries widens my way of thinking.
- Working Environment : I don’t have much experience either yet, but in light of my experience, Europe seems to have a well-established balance of work and daily life in general. In addition, my department has an unassigned seating system, so I like that I can sit anywhere if I have a laptop. More than anything, speaking in English has lesser formality than speaking in Korean. In a way, I feel more comfortable in the workplace.
- Connection : Not only with the international organizations but also in most foreign companies, people find jobs through connections. If you come out from your status quo and work outside of Korea, you can build connections with more people, and you are more likely to get new opportunities through acquaintances.
In front of the KOICA booth at the ‘Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam Meet Korea event’ organized by KOTRA. Provided by Seo Ji-ha
Disadvantages
- Life as a stranger : Koreans are the mainstream in Korea, but if you live in a society where Asians are classified as non-mainstream, you have to live as outsiders.
- Language barrier : At times it can be somewhat difficult to live being exposed to a foreign language, not your mother tongue.
- Distant from life in Korea : In particular, it should be considered that you cannot directly participate in the events of your close friends and family.
In the World Food Forum 2022, having a conversation with other interns of IFAD. Provided by Seo Ji-ha
Q4. How did you get to know about the IPP program?
A. During the vacation period from the third grade to the fourth grade, I felt pressure to slowly prepare for a job before I become a fourth-grade student, and I found out about the IPP program while searching on our school's official website. And I got an opportunity to become an intern at the Global Business Office of the Korea Energy Agency (KEA) through the IPP program.
Q5. What has helped you a lot in the IPP project program and what do you think will be the most helpful tip for other students?
A. As explained earlier, I was able to work at the KEA through long-term field training opportunities for the IPP project group. In addition, I was able to work for KOICA in Vietnam using that opportunity, and from that, I was also able to work for the IFAD.
Group photo with IFAD employees who participated in the World Food Forum at FAO. Provided by Seo Ji-ha
Q6. What's the most memorable and interesting episode you want to share?
A. It has been such a whirlwind before arriving in Italy. Do you know a monthly rental contract? At first, I rent a house through 'Spotahome', a famous European real estate website. I could not contain the excitement when I found a place to stay at that time. Yet, because I didn’t know what a monthly rental contract was, I almost paid two months’ rent for staying for a month and a day. It didn’t even take a second for that joy to quickly turn into anxiety as I realized that there were issues with the contract. Four days before my departure, I was lost because I haven’t found a place to stay in October. It has been a period of many intense ups and downs and throughout all this, at last, I had to inform my boss about my situation and ask for help. Thankfully, several people were willing to help me and suggested me to stay at their places. Pleasantly, I decided to stay at my Italian boss’ house during October, and throughout the stay, I could vividly experience the local Italian life.
Q7. What advice do you want to give yourself in the past?
A. When I was in middle and high school, I regret that I did not study hard for foreign languages such as Chinese or French (Those were part of the curriculum). However, I think it is not too late now, so I will continue to study foreign languages harder.
On the Vietnam Women’s day, wearing Ao Dai with UNFPA employees. Provided by Seo Ji-ha