Online Cultural Exchange: Americans and South Koreans of North Korean Origin (Pilot Program)

Online Cultural Exchange:

Americans and South Koreans of North Korean Origin

(Pilot Program)

Description: This online cultural exchange pilot program pairs South Koreans of North Korean origin with Americans to foster cultural exchange, break stereotypes, and facilitate friendships. There is no cost in participating in this program.

Timeline: This pilot program will run from September 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. If interest remains among the participants, we will extend the length of the program.

Expectations: Each pair is expected to:

• Conduct video-chat sessions: at least two times a month, 45-60 minutes each session

• Engage in digital communication (via email, messaging apps) to share personal and professional experiences, and otherwise interesting information with each other

• Maintain open-mindedness and positive attitudes

• Fill out two short surveys (one at the end of of October and one at the end of the program) to provide feedback based on your experience.

Suggestions:

• Spend the first session asking each other what each partner would like to achieve through conversations in this pilot program.

• Be open minded when listening and asking questions.

• Agree on norms, expectations for each session, and communication style.

• Be sensitive to your partner’s preferences for privacy. For example, before you share any information about your partner on social media, ask your partner if this is acceptable to him/her.

• Create and agree to a schedule and agenda for your video-chat sessions.

• Share articles, movies, books, photos in between sessions to continue your dialogue with your cultural partner.

• Be respectful of each other’s time. If you need to cancel or postpone a call, then please let your partner know ahead of time.

Pilot Program Contacts:

• Jieun Baek: JieunBaek412@gmail.com

• Joseph Park: genesis45v5@gmail.com

Background Information about this pilot program: This pilot program is a small program that Jieun Baek (American-born) and Joseph Park (North Korean origin) are jointly running after they recognized a demand for an online cultural exchange program between Americans and South Koreans of North Korean origin. Each person who was asked to participate in this program is a trusted friend of either Jieun or Joseph. Until further notice, this program is on an invite-only basis. If you know someone who wants to join this pilot program, please let Jieun or Joseph know.

Please email Jieun and Joseph if you have any questions, ideas, or feedback.

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