I am Eilene Napitupulu from Indonesia, and I am a Global Intern at VANK. I am currently a student at Binus University in Jakarta, majoring in Visual Communication Design with a focus on Creative Advertising.
I began developing my interest in Korea through K-drama and K-pop. I have always loved art and music, and Korean dramas and music are full of both. I came from Indonesia to Korea through AIESEC. AIESEC has a program called Global Volunteer, and in this program, AIESEC in Korea is collaborating with VANK to promote Korean culture, create cross-cultural understanding, and achieve the goal of decent work.
I’m here to deepen my understanding of Korean culture and share it with the world. While Korea is widely recognized for its K-pop, it’s surprising how many people are still unfamiliar with the richness of its culture. Personally, I find Korean culture incredibly fascinating. To promote it globally, I believe it’s essential for me to first gain a deeper understanding myself. Additionally, I’m introducing my own country, Indonesia, to South Korea, fostering a cross-cultural exchange that brings both cultures closer together.
There have been many memorable moments at VANK, but the one that stands out the most for me was meeting the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Kim Dong-yeon. It was an incredible honor to meet him in person and have the opportunity to present him with one of the tumblers I created. He was incredibly welcoming and kind, making the experience even more special. It was not only a privilege to meet him but also an amazing opportunity to explore Gyeonggi-do, particularly the Suwon area.
I realized there was so much about Korean history and culture that I didn’t know, despite having heard a lot about it before. For me, this journey isn’t just about sharing Korean culture with the world—it’s also a learning experience. I was surprised to discover many similarities between Indonesian and Korean cultures, which inspired me to promote these connections in Indonesia. One way I’ve done this is by creating a video highlighting the cultural parallels between Korea and Indonesia, helping to bridge our two cultures even further.
It has been incredibly rewarding to share Indonesian history and culture with a global audience. VANK gave me the opportunity to highlight Jakarta’s history through a video I created, which was shared on Instagram. While many people are familiar with Indonesia’s history, fewer know about Jakarta’s unique past as the capital city. This platform allowed me to promote Jakarta’s rich history to the world, and I’m grateful for the chance to bring greater awareness to it.
The Petitions I’ve Made
During my internship at VANK, I had the opportunity to write two articles for petitions on both Woollim and Bridge Asia.
During my stay in Korea, I frequently received public safety alerts in Korean. Each time I received one, I made sure to translate it into English, and I quickly realized that these alerts often contained critical information. While translating them was beneficial for me, I realized that many foreigners visiting Korea might not be doing the same, leaving them unaware of important updates they should know about. This experience prompted me to create a petition advocating for public safety alerts to also be provided in English, ensuring that all visitors can stay informed and safe.
My second petition focuses on the issue of climate change, particularly in relation to the fashion industry. During my time in Korea, I noticed many stores selling trendy clothing, similar to what I’ve seen in Indonesia. However, this raised concerns for me, knowing that much of this clothing comes from the fast fashion industry, which is highly detrimental to the environment. I realized that many people might not be aware of the severe environmental damage caused by fast fashion and its contribution to climate change. This motivated me to create a petition aimed at raising awareness about these issues and advocating for a more sustainable approach to fashion to help protect our planet.
Woollim Climate Change Petition
Bridge Asia Climate Change Petition
During my internship, I also had the opportunity to contribute to designing backgrounds and layouts for social media posts.
It was a fantastic experience, especially since I also got to introduce aspects of Indonesia’s culture each week during my presentations. I was truly amazed by how everyone at VANK was so interested in the cultures I shared, making the experience even more meaningful.
I’ve learned so much from this internship, and one of the things that has truly impressed me is VANK’s dedication to promoting Korea to the world. It’s become my dream to implement a similar approach in Indonesia. VANK’s work has been incredibly inspiring, and I aspire to do something similar. As a Visual Communication Design student, I want to use my skills and knowledge to achieve in Indonesia what VANK has accomplished for Korea.
To everyone passionate about fostering cultural understanding and pursuing big dreams, take this opportunity as your first step. I guarantee it’s worth it because great achievements always begin with small steps.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to VANK for this incredible experience, which has surpassed my wildest dreams. Being able to contribute meaningfully has been truly fulfilling. Thank you for opening the doors to my big dreams and helping me take the first steps toward achieving them.