2014 AJA Global Reporter Program Commences

The Asia Journalist Association (AJA) and The AsiaN recently commenced the annual AJA Global Reporter program.

The Asia Journalist Association (AJA) and The AsiaN recently commenced the annual AJA Global Reporter program. The internship program gives international students in South Korea the opportunity to discover the world of journalism, share, discuss, and write pressing and relevant issues about the participating countries as well as have an in-depth experience and understanding of the Korean culture.

Last Friday, June 20, 2014, international students from Thailand, Russia, Romania, Poland, Mexico, Italy, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Mongolia, and the Philippines, gathered together for the AJA Global Reporter welcoming ceremony followed by an orientation session.

Participants are international students from Thailand, Russia, Romania, Poland, Mexico, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Mongolia, France, Nepal, Uzbekistan and the Philippines.

Participants were briefed about the program’s activities, which include the AJA Talk where students will be divided in groups to discuss important issues affecting Asia. Aside from this, there is the Embassy Club where participants will get the chance to interview Korean officials on crucial matters about South Korea. Also, there is the Country Report where students will be asked to write three to seven recent issues in their respective countries once a month.

After the orientation, participants had the opportunity to meet and introduce themselves to the officials and staff of AJA and The AsiaN. After the pleasantries, the group engaged in an exchange of views and opinions regarding recent events such as the World Cup, the coup d’etat in Thailand, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

We had an interview with some participants who joined our program today.

Q: Could you please introduce yourself briefly?

Stephanie Ann S. Ongkiko, 27, from the Philippines had worked as a TV reporter.

Steph: Hi, My name is Stephanie Ann S. Ongkiko, 27 years old. My Nationality is Filipino. Now I am studying at Academy of Korean Studies in Korean Culture and History Master Degree’s Course and I had worked as a TV reporter in the Philippines.

Tatchara Longprasert(Korean name Jeongmin), 25, from Thailand had worked as a news anchor related to stocks, economics, and investment areas.

Jeongmin: Hello, AJA! I am Tatchara Longprasert from Thailand but in Korea where I have stayed for 10 months everyone calls me “Jeongmin”. I am 25 year-old and I will study a master’s degree program in International Trade major at Sogang University, Korea on this September 2014 regard as the Korean government scholarship student (KGSP). Moreover, before I came to Korea I worked as a news anchor (news broadcaster) related to stocks, economics, and investment areas which was broadcast live in Thailand.

Q: What made you decide to join the AJA Global Reporter Program?

Steph: There was not really a decision to be made. When I first saw the AD that I was tagged on by a friend on Facebook, I immediately sent an email stating my intent to join the program. Journalism has always been my first love. Before coming to South Korea to pursue my Master’s Degree, I worked as a TV field reporter in the Philippines for more than five years covering different stories from sports, crime, and the environment to fashion shows, politics, and armed conflict.

The AJA Global Reporter program reconnects me with my first love and in the process, gives me the opportunity to meet new people and learn about new cultures.

Jeongmin: I must say “why not!” Of course this program is really interesting. When I saw an advertisement I even did not hesitate to apply the program at all and I told my friend to apply together as well. Because it is quite hard to find this kind of such a great opportunity program like this especially when you go and study abroad.

Additionally, I am a person who interests in social matter, culture and tradition, and politics so that was why I decided to join this program in order to learn, to share, and to obtain knowledge and new experiences.

Q: Do you think what can you learn from this program?

Steph: After this program, I think I will have better understanding of a number of international issues. I am really looking forward to learn about important issues in the countries of the other participants as well as hear their thoughts and opinions about it. As journalists, I think it is very important for us to be familiar not only with the pressing issues in our respective countries but critical issues in other countries as well. I believe these can greatly help us write good and very informative articles in the future.

Aside from this, I think I will really learn a lot about the Korean culture through the proposed activities. I am actually excited about it because I know it would really be a big help for my studies.

Jeongmin: First of all, I can learn new and exclusive experiences that you cannot find from other programs except only here. According to the schedule of the program we will not just only discuss and share our perspective but also we will have field trips to participate outside including visiting well-known companies and talking with a representative such as CEO or his ambassador.

Moreover, beyond the aforementioned that I said above I think I am absolutely sure that I can get a good friendship with great people who have the same interesting areas as me here as well.

Stephanie says "The AJA Global Reporter program reconnects me with my first love and in the process, gives me the opportunity to meet new people and learn about new cultures."

Q: Where did you find out about this program?

Steph: I found out about the internship program on Facebook when one of my friends tagged me on its ad.

Jeongmin: Honestly, I knew this program from Facebook. I slid on my newsfeed and I saw the post from some of my friends about this program. Then I applied it and here I am!!

Q: What did you do today and How was the orientation?

Jeongmin: Today we were guided by the staff what we would do in this program. Also we had to introduce ourselves shortly and talked some topics which popped-up suddenly. I was really surprised because some topics that we talked were related to a deep academic stuff and knowledge that you had to think and consider well before sharing your perspective.

Steph: And after learning about the activities of the AJA Global Reporter program, meeting the other participants as well as the people behind AJA and The AsiaN, I must say that I am really looking forward to our future meetings. The dynamism of the group and the dedication of the people behind it are truly remarkable. I just know that we’re going to have a good time while honing our journalistic skills and learning about current issues and different cultures.

Q: How do you feel after meeting the other participants and AJA staff?

Steph: I was really happy about it because everyone was nice, friendly and welcoming. The group was very energetic. Everyone was eager to share stories about their hometowns such as famous tourist destinations or the product that best represents their countries. Aside from that, a number of participants also discussed about the current issues affecting their countries. In general, it was really an interesting day because I learned new things and got to know great people.

Jeonhmin says "I could feel energetic and enthusiastic feeling from all participants who joined today. I hope this year it will be a great year ever for us to make a new chapter of the AJA reporter program."

The AJA Global Reporter program will run for six months, from June to November 2014. Participants who will be able to complete the internship program will get a certificate of completion and a chance to intern at The AsiaN for two month in the winter.