The East Asia Institute (EAI) is a non-profit, independent, private think tank founded in 2002 with the mission of seeking to establish a regional community based on democracy and a market economy. EAI strives to produce and promulgate realistic policy ideas and suggestions through interdisciplinary research in the social science fields and the use of its domestic and international knowledge network. EAI seeks to be “Korea’s leading think tank” and develop into “a globally recognized think tank” by doing its outmost to create “a knowledge-net for a better world.”
The EAI Internship Program began in 2004 and has been an excellent chance for those interested in the social sciences to gain useful, real world experience. Over 200 students have participated in the program and these students have participated in various research programs, forums, and conferences providing them with a wider view of the future.
Internships are available with the following EAI units
● Peace and Security Research Unit
● Governance Research Unit
● External Affairs Unit
● Publications Unit
Descriptions of Each Unit
The Peace and Security Research Unit conducts research on and manages programs related to issues on the Korean Peninsula including unification, the North Korean nuclear weapons issue, Korea’s relations with neighboring countries, regional cooperation in East Asia, and development assistance policy, among others, and is comprised of research initiatives such as the National Security Panel which conducts research on strategies related to Korean diplomatic and security policy. The Peace and Security Research Unit has developed three major strategies for Korean diplomacy, namely ‘complex networks’, ‘co-evolution with the North’, and ‘middle power diplomacy,’ and through these efforts has contributed to the development of foreign policy in Korea. The Peace and Security Unit also works hard to expand exchanges and the sharing of ideas between scholars from across the globe through the holding of domestic and international conferences, forums, and seminars on international peace and security. Additionally, in order to actively participate in the building of international knowledge networks, the Peace and Security Unit is running a variety of programs with relevant international think tanks. EAI’s research prowess in the field of peace and security has been recognized annually since 2013 by the Global Go To Think Tank Index, which is compiled by the Think Tank and Civil Society Program at the University of Pennsylvania, as EAI is consistently ranked among the top 100 think tanks in the field of foreign policy.
The Governance Research Unit manages research programs which seek new and compatible strategies for governance and managing state affairs in the age of democracy, globalization, and information. EAI’s research on governance covers the role, jurisdiction, and possible measures for institutionalizing the duties of the president, national assembly and the main power structure and has produced research outcomes such as The Presidency in Korea, Vol. 1 & 2, Political Reform in Korea: Election System and Political Parties, Legislative Reform in Korea, Presidential Transitions in Korea. The Governance Research Unit is also conducting special projects on various other issues including creating shared value between corporations and society and measures for combining North and South Korea after unification. The Governance Research Unit also includes the work of the EAI Public Opinion Research Unit which analyzes domestic public opinion surveys, analyzes the changes in perceptions and attitudes of people from all over the world, and conducts surveys of experts to seek policy alternatives to national issues.
The External Affairs Team is responsible for managing the domestic and international conferences, forums and seminars held by EAI, organizes lectures and educational programs, and also deals with matters related to donors. An example of a forum organized by the External Affairs Unit is the “Korea-Japan Future Dialogue” which brings together approximately 100 experts in foreign affairs to discuss means for increasing mutual understanding and trust between Korea and Japan and narrowing the gap in perceptions. The External Affairs Unit runs several educational programs including the KF-EAI Korea Friendship program which seeks to inform international students about Korean society, culture, and politics, EAI Sarangbang which provides students with a look at Korean society through examining historical transitions in East Asia, and the EPIK Young Leaders Conference which is an academic conference for young students to provide them space to develop their ideas and academic thinking.
The Publications Unit is responsible for the publication of EAI’s English language academic journal entitled the Journal of East Asian Studies and the publication of books which are the result of each research teams studies. Recently, the Publications Unit has put together the book entitled Korean Peninsula among Big Powers: 1972 vs 2014 which is a comparative study done by the EAI National Security Panel on the detente period in East Asia and the post-Cold War era. The Publications Unit is also managing the EAI Column series which offers experts the chance to offer their opinions and policy suggestions on pressing domestic and international issues, and the Publications Unit is also in charge of producing EAI’s annual report. Additionally, the Publications Unit produces the marketing materials used for EAI events and programs.
Internship Description
● Conduct research in conjunction with the U.S.-China Relations Briefing project by collecting and analyzing data on the positions of the two countries’ governments
● Assist with producing research outcomes by conducting background research on various topics involving the Asia-Pacific region and Korean foreign policy
● Review and format the research papers of EAI network scholars
● Participate in, provide logistical support for, and assist with rappateuring and reports on conferences and seminars hosted and organized by EAI
● Participate in weekly internship seminars conducted by EAI fellows on topics ranging from advanced writing skills to unification on the Korean Peninsula (some seminars are conducted in Korean)
● Monitor current developments in the region and analyze their potential impact on current programs or identify opportunities for new programs and research
Application Period
● Applications will be accepted from February 2, 2016 through February 21, 2016
● Interviews will be held on February 23, 2016 (Skype interviews may be arranged separately for applicants currently out of Seoul)
Eligibility, Desired Experience and Attributes
● Open to undergraduate and graduate students studying in Korea or abroad
● Background in East Asian studies, international relations, political science, or a similar field
● Strong English language skills are required; Korean language skills are not mandatory but preferred (Working language of the institute is Korean)
● Team player with experience working in groups
● Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills
Required Application Documents
1. Resume (in English or Korean)
2. Cover Letter (in English or Korean)
3. Internship Application [Download]
4. Agreement on the Protection of Personal Information [Download]
√ There is no required format for the resume or cover letter
√ When emailing your application materials please put “Internship Application_Your Name” in the subject
√ When you email your materials please name your files using the following format: Name of Document_Name (ex. Resume_John Doe)
Selection Process
1. Review of application materials, applicants will be contacted individually
2. Group face-to-face interviews will be conducted with selected applicants residing in Seoul; Skype interviews will be scheduled for selected applicants attending schools outside of Seoul or in other countries
Internship Period
● Internships periods is 3 months long beginning on February 24, 2016 and concluding on May 27, 2016.
● Interns are asked to work three days a week from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (days of the week are negotiable)
Benefits
Although the internship is unpaid and voluntary, aside from valuable work experience in a think-tank, the institute also provides the following benefits for interns: