Recruitment for 10th Korea America Student Conference
Department: Asian American Studies
Post Date: November 29, 2016News Details
The new generation of leaders in business, government, and academia must foster strong personal connections to ensure strong bilateral ties between the Korea and the United States. The Korea-America Student Conference (KASC) builds these connections for students, training leadership skills and developing a genuine understanding of each other.
KASC is held in English and brings together 28 Korean and 28 American students from all levels of higher education (undergraduate and graduate) for an intensive month of exploring all aspects of U.S.-Korea relations. Students live, travel, work, and study as a unified group, building close ties that last a lifetime.
KASC is unique in that the students organize and implement each annual Conference. The students host roundtables, hear distinguished speakers, perform community service, and attend field trips and seminars. Every gathering is characterized by full and frank discussions, undertaken with a spirit of understanding each other’s point of view.
History
KASC is modeled after the Japan-America Student Conference, the oldest student-run exchange between the U.S. and Japan. JASC is distinguished by prominent alumni including Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger, JASC 12 (1951), and Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, JASC 6 (1939) & 7 (1940).
1934: A small group of Japanese students initiated the first JASC in Tokyo. They were concerned
by deteriorating relations between the two nations and felt a need to promote mutual understanding.
2007: International Student Conferences is created and KASC is launched.
2008: KASC 1 convened at The George Washington University, Brown University, the University of Tennessee and the University of California, Berkeley.
2009: KASC 2 convened at Korea University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Jeju National University and Pukyong National University.
2010: KASC 3 convened at American University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan and Stanford University.
2011: KASC 4 convened at Pukyong University, Jeju National University, Chonnam University and Ewha Womans University.
2012: KASC 5 convened at University of Southern California, American University, Trine University, and University of Missouri.
2013: KASC 6 convened at Handong Global University, Yonsei University, KAIST, and Jeju National University.
2014: KASC 7 convened at Kangwon National University, Yonsei University, Jeju National University, and Busan University of Foreign Studies.
2015: KASC 8 convened at California State University Sacramento, Trine University, The University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and American University
2016: KASC 9 convened at Jeju National University, Busan University of Foreign Studies, and Duksung Women’s University
Organization
KASC is an entirely student-run program. Delegates elect an Executive Committee at the conclusion of each Conference. The American (AEC) and Korean (KEC) Executive Committees receive guidance and financial assistance from their sponsoring organization, International Student Conferences (ISC). ISC is a non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C. that oversees both JASC and KASC.
KASC Supporters & Participating O r g a n i z a t i o n s
KASC invites professionals from different sectors and areas of expertise to participate in cultural and academic programming for the KASC delegates on topics regarding U.S.-Korea bilateral relations. The following are a selection of VIP guest and lecturers who have been invited during the past KASCs.
Government
Mark Lippert, U.S. Ambassador to the R.O.K Richard Hickman, Mayor of Angola
Mr. Bryant Trick, United States Trade R e p r e s e n t a t i v e Mr. James Fatheree, U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Korea
Katharina Zellweger, former North Korea country director for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Ms. Sunny Chang, U.S. Embassy of Seoul
Dr. Jeong, Byeong-Yun, Vice Mayor of Pohang Dr. Song, Young-gil, Mayor of Incheon
Dennis Kruse, Senator from Indiana
Business
Mr. Timothy Williams, Boeing Defense-Space and Security Ms. Elenai Chai, CEO of Conexia, Inc.
Mr. Eugene Kim, Co-founder and Chairman of Sparklabs Luke Kang, Managing Director, Disney China
Dr. Choi, Inbeom, Senior Advisor, Government Relations and Public Policy, GM Korea
Academia
Dr. Earl Brooks, President of Trine University Dr. Victor Cha, Georgetown University
Dr. Michael Hurt, Busan University of Foreign S t u d i e s
Dr. Park, Hyung-ji, Dean of Underwood International College, Yonsei University Dr. Kim Tae-hwan, Korea National Diplomatic A c a d e m y
Non-profit
Ms. Karin Lee, the National Committee on North Korea Director Taehwan Kim, Korea Foundation
Dr. Park Jin, Executive President of Asia Future Institute, former Congressman
Other
Mr. Song Byuk, Artist originally from North Korea
The 10th Korea-America Student Conference
The 10th KASC will convene July 23 - August 13, 2017. Delegates will be traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area; Dallas, Texas; and Washington, D.C. The five-roundtable topics are:
Environment, International Relations, Business, Technology, and Social Inequality
Eligibility:
The basic requirement is full-time university student status at the time of application in the U.S. or Korea.
Cost:
In 2017, the participation fee of $2,150 per Korean delegate and $2,150 per American delegate covers all lodging, meals, activities, air travel, and ground transportation for the entire Conference. The actual cost of the program per student is approximately $5,000.