W I N T E R 2 0 1 0 / Vo l .

Quarterly
FULBRIGHT KOREA

P U B L I S H E D BY T H E KO R E A N -A M E R I C A N E D U C AT I O N A L CO M M I SS I O N
 Fulbright Korea Quarterly
Winter 2010

Cover photos of the 2010 Sancheoneo Ice Festival by Emilee Lehenbauer.

 Fulbright Korea Quarterly
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

4 From the Desk of the Executive Director

5 Anniversary Celebration Marked by

Hwangap

6 USFKAA: Creating a New Alumni

Network

8 A Year in Pictures

10 Alumni Spotlight: Kyoung-yeon Chung

11 Alumni Spotlight: Aimee Lee

12 Seoul Symposium Focuses on Korean

Education in the 21st Century

13 ETAs Volunteer at Refugee Centers

14 Fulbright Forum Snapshots

16 Alumni-Founded Program KKOOM

Reaches 500 Orphans in 2009

17 Exchange Program Brings Korean

Teachers to the U.S.

19 Fulbright Korea to Publish History Book

KAEC is not responsible for the information contained in

this quarterly, and neither the Commission nor any of its
services are bound in any way by its content.

This and future issues of the Fulbright Korea

Quarterly can be found on the web, at
http://60.fulbright.or.kr.
 From the Desk of the Executive Director
Greetings Fulbright Family,
Welcome to the first edition of the Fulbright Korea
Quarterly. The introduction of this publication marks
the beginning of Fulbright Korea’s year-long 60th
anniversary celebration. This newsletter will highlight
alumni accomplishments and serve as a valuable
news source for the Korean-American Educational
Commission and its alumni.
Each year, KAEC strives to improve, to develop, and to
excel, while furthering the mission set forth by Senator
J. William Fulbright. As we prepare to commemorate
the successes of Fulbright Korea over the past 60
years, I cannot help but reflect on how much has been
achieved even in this past year.
In 2009, 90 English Teaching Assistants entered
classrooms all over the country—the largest group in
our Commission’s history. We held a symposium on
the topic of public education in Korea—a precursor to
a second symposium to be held in October of 2010.
Even the Fulbright Building in Seoul went through a
major transformation, the first in 10 years! This initial
edition of the newsletter focuses on these and other
accomplishments that took place during the 2009
calendar year.
2010 promises to be a momentous year as well, with
events both in Korea and the U.S. to commemorate our
60th anniversary, the culmination of which will be the
main celebration in October.
In the past, we have struggled to maintain ties with our
American alumni. To tackle this challenge, we have
launched a massive initiative aimed at reestablishing
these ties. Building a stronger alumni network is our
top priority, and we cannot do it without the help of our
entire Fulbright family. I encourage you to join us in this
effort by registering and reconnecting with Fulbright at
http://60.fulbright.or.kr.
We hope that you enjoy the first edition of the Fulbright
Korea Quarterly. Keep an eye out for more updates
from Fulbright and alumni in coming issues!
Best Regards,
Jai Ok Shim
Executive Director
Korean-American Educational Commission

Submit to the Fulbright Korea Quarterly >>>

Each edition of the Fulbright Korea Quarterly will feature alumni news and events. Additionally, our “Alumni
Spotlight” section will highlight significant work and accomplishments of Fulbright Korea alumni. If you
would like to contribute articles, announcements, photographs, or alumni recommendations to be featured
in a future edition, please contact our Alumni Coordinator, Lisette Garza, at alumni.coordinator@fulbright.
or.kr. With your help and contributions, we hope to make this newsletter a valuable resource for all Fulbright
Korea alumni.

4 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
Anniversary Celebration Marked by Hwangap
By Elizabeth So
There are three important events in the life of every
Korean: baekil, the 100-day celebration, dol, the first
birthday, and hwangap, the 60th birthday. The last of
these milestones, hwangap, relates to the zodiacal
cycle, which completes one full revolution every sixty
years.
In Korea, hwangap is regarded as a time to reflect upon
personal experiences and history. Furthermore, the
holiday is often marked by honorific rituals and large
family gatherings. Just as 60th birthdays are highly
regarded in Korea, the same sentiment will be held
toward the 60th anniversary celebrations of several
historical events in 2010.
June 25th will mark the 60th anniversary of the
outbreak of the Korean War. Twenty-one nations sent
troops and medical staff to Korea during the war,
which ended with a ceasefire armistice and border
stalemate that continues to this day. According to the
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, about 2.3 million
of the 5.7 million individuals worldwide who served
during the Korean War are still alive. Many nations
are intent on honoring the individuals who participated
and sacrificed their lives during the conflict. Korea
plans to commemorate the occasion by inviting 2,400
veterans and their families to Korea from the twenty-
one nations that assisted during the war, launching
a poster campaign to express the country’s gratitude
toward overseas war veterans, and staging major battle
reenactments such as the 1950 Incheon landing by
U.S.-led United Nations forces.
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Fulbright
Korea. Just a few months prior to the start of the
Korean War, the Republic of Korea signed the official
agreement for binational educational exchange with the
U.S. to establish the Fulbright Program in Korea. Since
the program’s inception, more than 3,600 grantees
have benefited from the support of Fulbright Korea,
while contributing to the spirit of mutual understanding
through international cooperation and the advancement
of knowledge.
These coinciding anniversaries evoke reflection upon
http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
Korean-American diplomatic relations and the historical
impact of this relationship in recent decades. Motivated
by the devastation of World War II, Senator Fulbright
developed his vision of cross-cultural exchange in
order to help “every society develop its own concept
of public decency and individual fulfillment.” Nearly 50
years after the founding of the program, South Korean
President Kim Dae Jung affirmed the contributions of
the Fulbright program in Korea: “It was in the aftermath
of the Korean War, a devastating and unstable period
that the Fulbright program was implemented in Korea.
Those well-qualified professionals who received
support through the Fulbright program during this
period performed vital roles in rebuilding the nation.”
The spirit of the Fulbright program continues to play a
vital role in strengthening relations between the U.S.
and South Korea.
While the impact of Fulbright Korea will continue
for years to come, its hwangap is expected to be a
momentous occasion. The Fulbright Commission is
planning major 60th anniversary events in Seoul, New
York City, and Washington D.C. In addition to these
grand festivities, the Commission will publish an alumni
directory and a book on the history of the program.
The quality of the commemorative publications relies
heavily on alumni contributions. You can pay tribute
to Fulbright Korea’s hwangap by registering in the
alumni database and submitting reflections, photos,
video, artwork, or other materials related to your
Fulbright experience to the Alumni Coordinator, Lisette
Garza, at alumni.coordinator@fulbright.or.kr. For more
information about the 60th anniversary celebration,
please visit http://60.fulbright.or.kr.
A young Senator J. William Fulbright, founder of international Ful-
bright Program, addresses a group of constituents.
5
 USFKAA: Creating a New Alumni Network
By Nikki Guarino
The U.S. Fulbright Korea Alumni Association
(USFKAA) was established in March 2009 by former
Executive Assistants at the Korean-American
Educational Commission who recognized the need
to reconnect past American grant recipients to the
Fulbright Korea network.
All former U.S. Fulbright grantees to Korea
automatically become members of USFKAA and are
encouraged to participate in the new alumni association
in order to establish a stronger and more beneficial
alumni network.
While an Alumni Coordinator handles alumni relations
at the KAEC office in Seoul, USFKAA exists to promote
active exchange and reunions among former American
Fulbright grantees to Korea who reside in the U.S. in
addition to supporting the creative projects of current
grantees.
area to connect with old friends and re-establish ties
with KAEC, especially as Fulbright Korea prepares to
celebrate its 60th anniversary throughout the year.
USFKAA also compiles data following each grant year
to show donors how their contributions to the Fulbright
Korea Alumni Fund (FKAF) have been put to work.
The FKAF provides funding for current ETA projects at
their host schools or in their communities. Projects are
screened each year by KAEC and given appropriate
funding based on the ETA’s proposal. USFKAA
hopes to encourage more alumni to donate while also
providing accountability for project grantees.
This year, USFKAA encourages its members to
become involved in Fulbright Korea’s 60th anniversary
celebration. Alumni can visit the 60th anniversary
website to submit material, which will be used for
KAEC anniversary publications in order to honor the
outstanding achievements of Fulbright Korea alumni
over the past 60 years.

To date, USFKAA has hosted four alumni gatherings Beyond Fulbright Korea’s 60th anniversary events and
in Korea and one ETA reunion event in Washington, commemorative publications, USFKAA members can
D.C. Alumni are encouraged to host reunions in their easily become involved in alumni activities or projects

1 2

1) ‘06 ETA Laura Tschop and ‘07 ETA Hillary Eason pose at a USFKAA event; 2) ‘08 ETA Elizabeth Gutting and ‘08 ETA Phillip Chong attend
the 2009 ETA reunion dinner in Washington, D.C.

6 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
by submitting proposals to the USFKAA Executive
Board. Furthermore, USFKAA is seeking ideas for
a collective “gift” so that all alumni members may
contribute to Fulbright Korea’s 60th anniversary.

If you are interested in hosting an event in your area

or would like to share your ideas for future USFKAA
activities, email us at usfkaa@gmail.com. Also, check
out USFKAA’s blog (http://usfkaa.wordpress.com) and

HELP US CELEBRATE
Facebook page (search for USFKAA).

The USFKAA was founded by former KAEC Executive

Assistants (EAs) Dylan Davis (‘03 ETA, ‘04 EA), Caleb
Kim (‘04 ETA, ‘05 EA), Mariah Perrin (‘05 ETA, ‘07 EA),
and Nikki Guarino (‘07 ETA, ‘08 EA). They have since
been joined by Emily Kim Goldsmith (‘08 ETA, ‘09 EA)
and Alumni Coordinator Lisette Garza (‘05 and ‘06
ETA) to form the Executive Board, which oversees all
USFKAA operations.
In its 60 years of operation, Fulbright Korea
has provided grant funds to support more than
3,600 scholars in their academic, educational,
and artistic pursuits. As a past beneficiary, you
can help us capture the true spirit of the program
and make the 60th anniversary event a success.
Here’s how you can contribute:

Update your contact information using

3 the Alumni Registration Form on our 60th
anniversary website: http://60.fulbright.or.kr

Reach out to other Fulbright Korea Alumni in

your personal network

Send written reflections about your Fulbright

experience along with photos, videos,
artwork and other media related to your grant
year
4

Share your accomplishments with us,

including patents, publications, artwork, and
professional/academic research

Submissions can be sent to

alumni.coordinator@fulbright.or.kr

Lisette Garza
Alumni Coordinator
3) ‘04 ETA Aelee Kwon and ‘07 ETA Thomas Murtaugh prepare for a
2009 reunion event in Washington, D.C.; 4) USFKAA members meet Fulbright Building
for dinner at Mad for Garlic in Seoul. Left to right, bottom row: ‘05 168-15 Yomni-dong Mapo-gu
ETA and current KAEC Alumni Coordinator Lisette Garza, ‘08 Senior
Seoul, 121-874
Scholar Dr. Sugwon Kang, ‘95 ETA Albert Chongheun Lee, ‘05 Junior
Researcher Heather Bayless, ‘09 Junior Researcher Elizabeth Chae,
‘05 ETA and former KAEC Executive Assistant Mariah Perrin, and ‘05 Office: 82-2-3275-4024
Senior Researcher Maureen Fleming. Right to left, top row: ‘94 ETA Mobile: 82-10-4208-0717
Michael Hurt, ‘03 ETA and former KAEC Executive Assistant Dylan
Email: alumni.coordinator@fulbright.or.kr
Davis, ‘08 ETA and current KAEC Executive Assistant Emily Kim
Goldsmith, and ’04 ETA and former KAEC Executive Assistant Caleb
Kim.

http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024 7
 365A YEAR IN PICTURES
1
2

3 4

5 6

1) ‘08 ETA Deborah Ou-Yang with her Camp Fulbright team in July; 2) ‘08 ETA Tori Foster with host sisters at the Sancheoneo Ice Festival in
Hwacheon; 3) ‘09 Fulbright U.S. Studies Institute Program for Korean Elementary and Secondary School Teachers of English travel to Texas
in January; 4) ‘09 ETAs Melissa Lewis, Emilee Lehenbauer, Ashley Pinney, and Julie Presant practice taekwondo during ETA orientation in
August; 5) KAEC Executive Director Jai Ok Shim visits ‘96 Mid-Career Researcher Kyoung-yeon Chung’s art exhibit in November; 6) U.S.
Ambassador to South Korea, the Honorable Kathleen Stephens, and California 15th Congressional District Representative Mike Honda ad-
dress Fulbright staff and grantees at the Ambassador’s annual pool party in August.

8 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
 DAYS
1

2 3

4 5

6 1) ‘09 Fulbright Junior Researcher JodiLynn Murdoch presents her work at a Fulbright Forum
in September; 2) Families pay respect to former Korean President Kim Dae Jung who passed
away August 18, 2009; 3) Ambassador Stephens addresses ETAs and Fulbright staff at the 2009
Thanksgiving dinner in November; 4) A Flat Stanley from the elementary class of ‘09 ETA Nikki
Muyskens travels to California in November (http://www.flatstanley.com); 5) ‘08 ETAs Alex Su, Tori
Foster, and Emily Comstock attend the annual Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival in May; 6) Students
of ‘08 ETA Kenny Loui visit the DMZ as part of the Alumni Youth Leadership Program (AYLP) in
January.

NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

The New Face of the Fulbright Building

1999 2009

http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024 9
 February's Featured Alumni >>>
With the upcoming 60th anniver-
sary celebration in October and an
ambitious Fulbright Korea alumni
outreach project underway, we at
KAEC are making greater efforts to
highlight the activities of our Com-
mission by sharing the successes
of alumni with the Fulbright com-
munity and the world. The “Alumni
Alumni Spotlight: Kyoung-yeon Chung
Kyoung-yeon Chung
Mid-Career Researcher
1996-1997
Textile Design
By Emily Kim Goldsmith
“My mother sent me a pair of
gloves by parcel post for protect-
ing my hands in my tough days [of]
study in a foreign country, so that I
could do odd jobs easily. As soon
as I received the gloves, [many]
more thoughts than ever before
10 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
Spotlight” section of the Fulbright
Korea Quarterly is a part of this
effort. Each spotlight will provide a
brief profile of former grantees and
a description of their recent ac-
complishments. Both Korean and
American alumni will be featured,
and we hope to capture a broad
range of fields and scholars from all
came to my mind. [Since then],
gloves have been everything to me
and always a reminder of the love
and care of my mother...and all the
mothers in the world.”
Born in Busan in 1955, Kyoung-
yeon Chung began her study of
art at Hongik University in Seoul
in 1972 and relocated to the U.S.
after two years. She received her
Bachelors of Fine Arts from Mas-
sachusetts College of Art and her
Masters from Rhode Island School
of Design. It was during this time
that she received the simple pair of
gloves that would inspire her art for
the next 30 years.
She returned to Korea to teach at
Hongik University, which had re-
cently established the first Depart-
ment of Fiber Arts in the country.
Finding the fledgling program to be
lacking in its ability to adequately
grant periods. If you would like to
be featured in the “Alumni Spot-
light” section, please fill out the
Alumni Registration form at http://
alumni.fulbright.or.kr and contact
our Alumni Coordinator, Lisette
Garza, at 02-3275-4024 or alumni.
coordinator@fulbright.or.kr.
prepare students for the field,
Chung proposed to return to the
U.S. as a mid-career researcher
through Fulbright to study the
teaching and professional applica-
tion of textile design. She did her
research at her alma mater, RISD,
and at the Philadelphia College of
Textiles and Science. Since com-
pleting this grant and returning to
Korea she has contributed to the
growing field of textile design and
been an active member of the Ko-
rea Fulbright Alumni Association.
Chung has also been honored
with several prestigious awards
in Japan and Korea, including the
Choongsub Lee Artistic Prize in
2008. Her work, all featuring gloves
in various shapes, forms, and me-
dia, has been exhibited throughout
Asia, the U.S., France, and Russia.
Alumni Spotlight: Aimee Lee
Aimee Lee
Junior Researcher
2008-2009
Traditional Papermaking and
Related Craft Forms
By Vincent Flores
On April 24, 2009, the Fulbright
Forum audience had no idea that
they would become advocates for
the preservation and promotion of
Korean traditional paper making, or
hanji.
Before a full house at the Fulbright
building’s seminar room, junior re-
searcher Aimee Lee’s presentation
entitled “Spider Paths on the Paper
Trail: Contemporary Possibilities for
Hanji” gave attendees an in-depth
look into the world of hanji, includ-
ing its history and importance in
Asia, and the challenges of carrying
on hanji tradition in the modern era.
Originally from New York, Lee is an
http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
interdisciplinary artist who creates
paper, book, performance, installa-
tion, and text art. She received her
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from
Oberlin College and her Master of
Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Book
and Paper Arts from Columbia Col-
lege in Chicago.
Lee’s Fulbright research focused on
traditional hand papermaking and
related craft forms. During her grant
year, she visited and documented
the methods of seven different
operational paper mills in four
provinces. She apprenticed at one
mill run by a family whose patriarch
is a designated Intangible Cultural
Asset for the Gyeonggi province.
Under a 3rd generation master,
she also studied paper weaving, or
jiseung—a rare craft form that uses
hanji in spun and woven forms to
create all manner of objects. Her
Fulbright grant made it possible for
her to become the leading bilingual
expert in hanji, not only in theory,
but also in practice.
Since returning to the U.S., Lee has
been featured in several news-
paper articles and held four solo
exhibits, two of which featured her
hanji research and artwork exclu-
sively. Much of Lee’s work, along
with photos and video from her
research, are available online at
http://www.aimeelee.net.
11
 Seoul Symposium Focuses on Korean
Education in the 21st Century
By Dr. Sung-Wook Jung
A symposium on Korean education policy in the 21st
century was held in downtown Seoul last October to
commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright
Program in Korea. All participants, including those who
raised questions from the floor, contributed to making
the event a wonderful platform for debate on a new
direction for the Korean public education system. The
key issue discussed was how to reform the system,
which has made preparing students for university en-
trance exams the top priority at almost every school.
Among the participants there seemed to be a fairly
strong consensus that the race to gain admissions to
a limited number of prestigious universities has im-
peded schools from adequately preparing students for
the challenges of the 21st century. Many expressed
concern that the traditional public education system is
incapable of providing human capital that meets the
demands of an expanding global economy. Professor
Yong-Lin Moon, the former Minister of Korean Educa-
tion, addressed this issue as the first speaker of the
symposium. He stressed that human capabilities can-
not be measured by a one-dimensional university en-
trance examination. In order to properly measure a stu-
dent’s creative potential, he argued, multiple standards
of evaluation should be introduced into the education
system, while also giving students more freedom to
chart the course of their own educational path.
The second speaker, Professor Seung Hoon Lee
from Seoul National University, provided a stimulating
counterpoint. According to his view, market competi-
tion is actually highly beneficial to the public education
system. Therefore, the much lamented race for admis-
sions to prestigious universities should actually be
encouraged and expanded. To achieve this objective,
he proposed that Korea focus its resources on expand-
ing the number of premier academic institutions to as
many as twenty.
After the two thought-provoking presentations, those
invited to sit in on a discussion panel presented their
opinions. Professor Young Hwa Kim from Hongik
12 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
University expressed her concerns toward Professor
Lee’s provocative policy proposal, while Ms. Sun-Duk
Kim, a columnist from Dong-A Ilbo, was more favorable
towards the economic-based stance. Also during the
discussion, Dr. In Whoe Kim, an Emeritus Professor
from Yonsei University, explicated the new demand for
creative human capital, and Professor Do-Chul Shin
from Sookmyung Women’s University emphasized the
need to circumscribe the influence of central govern-
ment on public education in order to give more control
to local authorities.
Following the first panel discussion, faculty from dis-
tinguished schools shared how they helped students
achieve exemplary success along multiple dimensions,
including admissions into top universities. Mr. Jaewon
Do from Geochang High School spoke forcefully about
the importance of respecting the individual differences
in student personalities. In contrast, Principal Jong Mo
Kim from Hanil High School illustrated the benefits of
incorporating traditional elements into the public school
curriculum. Principal Chung-il Yun from Korean Minjok
Leadership Academy ardently defended his school’s
strict academic emphasis, while Mr. Wondeuk Lee from
Sangsan High School presented evidence to show that
improving the quality of public school education could
quell the feverish demand for private tutoring. Lastly,
Mr. Jin-chae Park from Yongjeong Middle School ex-
plained his school’s efforts to nurture creativity and ex-
cellence, while never losing sight of preparing students
to be better citizens.
Audience members at the symposium listened at-
tentively during the discussion and many jumped at
the opportunity to express their own views on how to
improve public education. The positive, upbeat at-
mosphere left observers feeling confident about the
future success of the Korean public education system
in the 21st century. A follow-up symposium will be held
on October 8th, 2010 as part of the Fulbright Korea
60th anniversary festivities. Please visit our website
http://60.fulbright.or.kr for more information about this
and future events.
ETAs Volunteer at Refugee Centers
By Elizabeth So
While teaching duties are a significant part of the Ful-
bright English Teaching Assistantship program, most
grantees find the time to engage in extracurricular
projects. ETAs have a particularly long history of vol-
unteering with North Korean refugees. Several years
ago, a group of ETAs started teaching at the Heavenly
Dream School in Cheonan that caters to the academic
and social needs of North Korean refugee teenagers.
Margaret Mahoney, an 2006 and 2007 ETA alumna,
recounted the implications of ETA involvement: “Con-
tributing to the success of people around the world,
functioning as a cultural ambassador, and opening the
door for other people to do the same is what Fulbright
Korea stands for.” This year, four ETAs continue the
efforts started at Heavenly Dream School.
past and present volunteers reflect on how they have
been positively impacted by working with students
who are able to find success after experiencing such
incredible adversity. Mahoney says, “So often in life,
we hear stories about atrocious regimes destroy-
ing the lives of people, like that of North Korea. We
hear these stories and we think, ‘That’s too bad.’ But
Heavenly Dream School flips that passive comment on
its head and makes us as people think, ‘What can I do
to change it?’ That’s the spirit we need right now and
that’s what Fulbright embodies.”
1

Knowing that refugees often face psychological hard-

ships and struggle to compete academically and in
the workforce, Mahoney wanted the young refugees
to reflect on their own identities and their hopes for
the future. With this aim, she taught a “self portfolio”
project with fellow 2006 ETA, Cara Chebuske. The pair
helped students answer questions about their goals
and dreams, while combining English with artwork and
photos. Mahoney reflects, “I think that students really
enjoyed the project. It’s always fun to have something
tangible to show for your studies.”

Current ETA Daniel Park and seven other ETAs meet

nearly every other weekend at a refugee center based 2
in Seoul in order to teach English classes to North
Korean refugee children and their parents. The stu-
dents are eager to increase their language skills and
motivated by the commitment of their teachers. Park
says, “We are there to work with refugees—to under-
stand their situation better, to understand the complica-
tions of adaptation, and to help them in any way.” Park
describes how their help extends even beyond the
classroom. Most classes are followed by lunch outings
to foster jeong, the Korean concept of profound friend-
ship, between students and teachers. The students
feel a sense of validation to see foreigners who care so
deeply about their situation.

1) ‘08 ETA Michael Athy works with a North Korean refugee;

The students are not the only ones who benefit. Both 2) Students enjoy arts and crafts time.

http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024 13
 2009
Fulbright Forum Snapshots
In 2009, the research of ten Fulbright scholars was featured in nine Fulbright Forum presentations. Fulbright
awards for Americans in Korea are available to scholars and professionals for both lecturing and research activi-
ties. The KAEC will grant over 200 awards to Koreans and Americans during the 2010-2011 academic year.

Franklin Rausch
Fulbright Junior Researcher, History
The Legitimacy of Force: The Discourse of An Chunggun’s Killings of Ito Hirobumi

Rausch examined the discourse surrounding Catholic nationalist and pan-Asianist An

Chunggun’s killing of Ito Hirobumi, the first Resident-General of Korea during the Chosun
Dynasty. Through this study, Rausch explained how we can better understand the way
in which force was perceived and legitimized during both the days of high imperialism in
the last years of the Chosun Dynasty and today, as well as the conflict and ambiguity that
surrounds its exercise.

Josie Sohn
Fulbright Junior Researcher, Film Studies

Dr. Danny Wedding

Fulbright-Yonsei Distinguished Scholar, Psychology
More than Running on ‘Marathon’ (Dir. Chong Yunch’ol, 2005)

Sohn discussed the representation of autism in a South Korean feature film, Marathon,
based on the true story of a twenty-year-old autistic athlete. Dr. Danny Wedding respond-
ed to the presentation and briefly discussed autism as a clinical condition.

Aimee Lee
Fulbright Junior Researcher, Design
Spider Paths on the Paper Trail: Contemporary Possibilities for Hanji

Hanji, Korean handmade paper, has a history on the Korean peninsula that reaches back
over one thousand years. Lee gave a brief history of the craft, demonstrated how hanji is
made, explored its presence in the contemporary art world, and used material demonstra-
tions to exhibit related crafts.

Katherine Lee
Fulbright Junior Researcher, Ethnomusicology
The Drumming of Dissent during South Korea’s Democratization Movement

During the height of the democratization movement in South Korea, the sound of drums
and gongs were ubiquitous at scenes of protest. Lee examined how political meaning was
aligned with the percussive sounds of p’ungmul in the 1980s.

14 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
 Helena Meyer-Knapp
Fulbright Senior Scholar, Political Science
Heroes, Martyrs and Restless Spirits—War Heritage for the New Generation in the U.S.,
Korea, and Japan

Meyer-Knapp compared surveys, photos, and videos collected from historical sites that
reveal the patriotic sentiments of younger generations in Korea, Japan, and the U.S.

Erin Lee
Fulbright Junior Researcher, International Relations
Economic Reform in North Korea: Substance vs. Symbolism in China’s Influence over
North Korea

Lee explored the Sino-DPRK relationship and its future international implications includ-
ing China’s adept use of diplomacy with North Korea, which has positioned Beijing as the
most likely candidate to bring North Korea out of its shell; however, China’s potential as
an agent of transformation is arguable due to its mixed motives regarding the future of the
Korean peninsula.

Misty Edgecomb
Fulbright Junior Researcher, Creative Writing
Small Fish: Searching for Wartime Seoul and the Birth of International Adoption

Edgecomb recounts her father-in-law’s historic adoption of Korean orphan Choi Kyung
Hyun, or Jimmy. Through great struggle, Phillip Raynor, an unmarried American solider,
adopted Jimmy and became one of four international adoptions recognized by the Ameri-
can government in 1953. This adoption paved the way for thousands of American families
to adopt from overseas and forever changed the definition of family.

JodiLynn Murdoch
Fulbright Junior Researcher, Theater Studies
Archiving the Repertoire: Observations on the Capture of the Ephemeral

The Korean folk masked dance-drama of talchum was nearly lost during the Japanese
occupation in the first half of the twentieth century. Throughout her year of research,
Murdoch physically engaged in talchum, and presented her observations during the forum
with the support of video and still images.

Carla Stansifer
Fulbright Junior Researcher, Art and Architectural History
The Mysteries of Goryeo Dynasty Shell Inlayed Lacquerware

By the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 A.D.), Korean shell inlayed lacquerware emerged as a
unique and highly refined art form. Stansifer discussed this fascinating artistic technique
and the particular characteristics of the Goryeo style lacquerware.

http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024 15
 1 2

3 4

1) ‘08 and ‘09 ETA Matthew Rooney teaches children a popular holiday song with help from Santa Claus; 2) ‘09 ETA Daniel Park dresses
as an elf for the annual KKOOM holiday party; 3) A student makes a Christmas card; 4) ‘09 ETA Ashley LaFontaine and ‘08 ETA Emily Kim
Goldsmith pose with Santa Claus.

Alumni-Founded Program KKOOM Reaches

500 Orphans in 2009
By Amy Benes
For 500 lucky South Korean children, 2009 was a year
marked by visits from enthusiastic volunteers, holiday
celebrations, and generous contributions. Korean Kids
and Orphanage Outreach Mission (KKOOM), which
means “dream” in Korean, is an organization dedicated
to bettering the lives of South Korean orphans. Found-
ed in 2007 by Fulbright Korea alumni, KKOOM devel-
oped as an extension of an ongoing volunteer project
originally started in 2004 by ‘04 ETAs Aimee Jachym
and Erika Senneseth at Samsungwon, an orphanage
in Gumi, South Korea. Today, thanks to the support of
grantees and donors alike, KKOOM has grown to sup-
port five orphanages throughout Korea.
KKOOM kicked off the year by funding volunteer-
led projects at three orphanages in Korea. In April,
KKOOM also facilitated the donation of funds from
John Legend’s benefit concert, “Night of Charity for
Children.” At the concert, Legend performed with
Korean R&B singer T Yoon Mi Rae. Event proceeds
supported orphanages throughout Korea as well as
Legend’s Show Me Foundation, which funds programs
to eradicate poverty in Mbola, Tanzania. Money raised
at the event allowed KKOOM to purchase three new
water purifiers for Samsungwon, valued at approxi-
mately three million won.
Furthermore, many volunteers connected with Ful-
bright Korea organized several events throughout the
year, including an end-of-summer party in September
and a holiday party in December, both held at Sam-
sungwon. Over 25 volunteers participated in the Sam-
sungwon Christmas party, where each child received a
Christmas present purchased by volunteer shoppers.
“Even though the presents felt like a small contribution,
it was amazing to see how much receiving that bag full
of candy and trinkets meant to each of the kids,” said
first-time volunteer and current Executive Assistant
Emily Kim Goldsmith. “I wish I’d volunteered last year!”
KKOOM is a U.S.-based, 501c3 tax-exempt organiza-
tion. For volunteer and donation opportunities, visit
http://www.kkoom.org.

16 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
 x as
Te Exchange Program Brings Korean Teachers to the U.S.

1 In January, the Fulbright U.S. Studies Institute Program

for Korean Elementary and Secondary School Teachers
of English arranged for 30 Korean English teachers to
visit the U.S. for a seven-week, Texas-based American
society and culture exchange program.

Since 2002, the KAEC-administered program has

sent more than 200 Korean English teachers to Texas.
Program participants have a unique opportunity to take
intensive language courses, improve public speaking,
instruct American middle and high school classes, and
live with a host family in addition to studying various
teaching methods.
1) Program
2
members visit
the Alamo; Exchanges such as this contribute to the over-arching
2) Author and
University
goal of the Fulbright U.S. Studies Institute Program for
of Texas at Korean Elementary and Secondary School Teachers
Austin profes-
sor Dr. Elaine of English, which seeks to provide an avenue for
Horwitz visits meaningful pedagogical and cultural exchange while
with the 2010
group. offering insight into the academic lives of American
students.

For more information about programs offered by KAEC,

visit http://www.fulbright.or.kr.

Reflect Reconnect

Help document Fulbright Korea’s 60 year Join our Social Networks Online! Search for
history by sending the following to “Fulbright Korea Alumni Relations” on all of
alumni.coordinator@fulbright.or.kr: the following:

• Written Reflections
• Photos
• Videos
• Web Links
• Publications Facebook LinkedIn Twitter
• Accomplishments

http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024 17
 Submit to Infusion Magazine
Infusion magazine is Fulbright Korea’s annual source for
recent grantee news, events, art, poetry, journalism, photog-
raphy, and research. Grantees from 2008 and 2009 program
years are encouraged to submit their pictures, reflections,
creative work, and research.

The submission deadline for the 3rd edition of Infusion is

March 12, 2010. Submissions and questions can be sent to
Infusion@fulbright.or.kr.

Photography • Reflections • Research • Art • Poetry • News • Events • Journalism • Creative Work

Attention Alumni

STATE ALUMNI is the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs official web-
site for more than 1,000,000 alumni.

Interactive, dynamic, and password-protected, alumni.state.gov offers alumni from all U.S government-
sponsored exchange programs a place to:

• Network
• Share ideas and stories
• Participate in Q&A Live discussions
• Utilize valuable resources such as grants, jobs, and research databases
• Access current news, academic journals, and other publications

Build upon your exchange experience by accessing the STATE

ALUMNI global community. Visit https://alumni.state.gov today.

18 http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024
Fulbright Korea to Publish History Book
KAEC Executive Director Jai Ok Shim and Deputy Director
Dr. James F. Larson are coordinating the writing and editing of
a comprehensive English history of the Fulbright Program in
Korea, with significant input from former Executive Directors
Horace H. Underwood and Fred Carriere. We invite former
Fulbright grantees, both Korean and American, to send us
reflections, reminiscences, documents, photographs, or web
links that might help to enliven and inform this history. Please
send your contributions to our Alumni Coordinator Lisette
Garza (alumni.coordinator@fulbright.or.kr or 02-3275-4024)
within the next two months to ensure their consideration.

Fulbright Korea Quarterly

This newsletter is published by Help Us Expand Your Network
the Korean-American Educational
Commission for the Fulbright Are you in contact with other Fulbright Korea alumni members? If so, you
Korea alumni community. can help KAEC expand the alumni community and build an even stronger
network by completing the form below. Feel free to forward this newsletter
to fellow alumni as well.
Co-Editors
Alexandra Anderson
Vincent Flores Name: _______________________________________________
Lisette Garza
Emily Kim Goldsmith
Emilee Lehenbauer Address: _____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________
Layout & Design
Alexandra Anderson
Amy Benes Telephone: ___________________________________________

E-mail Address: ________________________________________

Contributors
Amy Benes
Vincent Flores
Submit
Emily Kim Goldsmith
Nikki Guarino
Elizabeth So This form can also be completed on our official anniversary website,
Dr. Sung-Wook Jung http://60.fulbright.or.kr.

http://60.fulbright.or.kr 82-2-3275-4024 19
Korean-American Educational Commission
Fulbright Building
168-15 Yomni-dong Mapo-Gu
Seoul, 121-874 Korea

General Office: 82-2-3275-4018

Alumni Relations: 82-2-3275-4024
Office Fax: 82-2-3275-4028