Sydney Life

So, I just spent a bit over a month working at newspaper The Korea Herald in Seoul, doing an internship for my course, which is Media and Communications. I am now back in Australia (!) and I've made a list of a few things about Korea in response to some of the questions that you have been posting and emailing me...

#1 How did I get the internship?
The internship at The Korea Herald is sponsored by the Australia Korea Foundation (AKF), and is open to students completing a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) at the University of Sydney. All students in the Media degree need to complete an internship as part of their studies, and AKF applications open in September for media students about to enter their final year. There are also internships sponsored by the Myer Fellowship program at newspapers in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia. If you're a media student here at Sydney Uni and you want more info, visit here.
Whilst in Seoul, I also met some lovely Business/Economics students who were on a similar internship placement with the Australia Korea Foundation. I don't have information on this program, but if you're a business student at Sydney Uni, maybe you could ask your faculty about it.

#2 What did my internship involve?
I began my time in Seoul working at the Australian Embassy. I was working in the Australian Education department, whose job is to tell Koreans about all the great Australian education initiatives. My two friends and fellow student interns were placed in the Public Diplomacy department, and Austrade. One of the highlights of our time working at the Australian Embassy was participating in Australia Day celebrations. There was a fashion show, dancers, lots of tasty prawns, beer and wine, and simulated cricket and golf games.

Some amazing Korean drummers at the Australia Day celebrations

I spent the rest of my time in Seoul working at the Korea Herald. My tasks included writing articles, interviewing people, going to press conferences, and sub-editing. One of my favourite articles to write was on the joys of Korean food. Myself and another intern took a Korean cooking class and we then wrote an article about our experience. Mostly, it was just a great chance to meet a lovely Korean chef, Mrs Oh Kyung-wha, who shared with us her many life experiences and cooking tips. It was also cool because it was the first time I'd ever worked with an interpreter - because Mrs Oh didn't speak English, there was another Korean translating her words for the interview.

Cooking the Korean feast of bulgogi (sweet beef) and kimchi (spicy cabbage)

A Korean rice cake, very yummy!

#3 What was Korea like?
Korea is a truly amazing country. On my second day in Seoul it snowed, which was just beautiful. Even though working at the newspaper got pretty busy, I still enjoyed Seoul's many museums, temples and shrines, palaces, tea houses, bathhouses, and of course the restaurants and nightlife!

The doorway to a very well-known Korean teahouse in Insadong, Seoul, called Yetchatjip (The Old Tea House)

Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul

waterfalls on Jeju Island in the South of Korea