I had come to South Korea almost a whole year, in 2008, as International Intern for Democracy, Peace and Human Right in The May 18 Memorial Foundation in Gwangju which a main program to builded relationship between my organization with the foundation. I never forget this planetary experience over there since it allowed me to learn Korean culture, tradition and living style beside my main mission in the foundation.
At the first day, reached South Korea was in early morning i felt so freezing due to the change by tropical weather to winter, so i just ran directly to take a bus to Gwangju. Along a way was amazing with view around, but it couldn’t stop me sleeping and when i work up surprisingly i was in Gwanju. just walked out platform i met my boss Mr. ChanHo Kim and Mr. Chirst, i didn’t have any word to them without a huge hug. within their hospitality, kindly and helpful, that i can say “i am lucky to have them as my supervisor”.
I was warmly welcome and later on introduced to the foundation by going through the administrative and staffs, and neighbor organization in the same building. and so that i able to understand what were the main program of the foundation working on and deal with all these projects. My mission and objective were to understand working value of the foundation to meet democracy, peace and human rights, and how could they keep success to commemorated the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
It took me time a bit to understand how to work smoothly with korean, i had to find a way to express my thought and understand them. honestly, by my point of view, i think Korean is a quiet aggressive and emotion than Cambodian but they are really sweet and friendly.
After an adapting week in new life and work, i began my work and was given many interesting responsibilities, as following; translation brochure from english to khmer on their activist and keep as documentary, indication and assistant Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (it is a project with awarding prize 50,000us$ to who are top nominee and was selected by the Award Committee), file trip for staff building, blogging information on currently activities and after completed working, conducted presentation on Cambodian Youth with human rights for hight school and cooperation center, spent time for Busan Camp with International Volunteer in the foundation whom were going to USA and Asia serving partner organization for 10 months, facilitating and supporting Gwangju International Peace Forum, as organizer and participant for Gwangju Asian Human Folk School, joined event of the May 18 Subway Themes by, responsible to achieve Asian Directory, abled to learn in the Summer Regional School organized by SungKong Hoe University, participated in Asian Youth Culture Camp, also be observer in UNESCO Asian Youth Forum, and all above events and projected were monitoring and evaluation. additionally, it was stupendous to me for enjoyed with other team in my foundation within Domestic Team, that I able to understand youth appoint on democracy, by Rad Festa, campaign and Youth Exhibition.
To pursued my goal over there i need to be reflected and be a good listener to orderly people with proper way of respect as Korean that is a kind of thing i had learn so far.
Finally, i would like to thank the May 18 Memorial Foundation for giving me an opportunity to serve and learn the sprite of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
