Corie Wieland

I was drawn to Seoul by both its rich and detailed historical narratives and its evolving presence on the modern world stage. I believe Seoul is a unique city, and I am truly grateful to have interned there at a time when its peninsular and international relations are changing by the day. During my internship with U.S. Embassy Seoul, I was able to participate in many community events while supporting foreign service officers and learning the everyday functions of diplomatic work. Some of the events I participated in on behalf of U.S. Embassy Seoul included the annual U.S. Independence Day Reception in Seoul, where I managed a team of intern volunteers to welcome important international guests, and the Seoul Pride Festival, where I greeted festival participants alongside the U.S. Ambassador to Korea. At the office, I explored all departments of embassy work and utilized my Korean, Spanish, and Japanese language skills through direct interaction with foreign national visitors. I completed several critical writing and research projects which I presented to my embassy coworkers. Most importantly, I learned about the importance of a strong and continuous U.S. diplomatic presence in countries the world over.

After spending time with U.S. Embassy Seoul, I learned that it’s important to keep my academic interests open, and to be adaptable to new information and new areas of knowledge. The state department is a field of "generalists." While they do have specialized knowledge, most foreign service officers have learned to adapt quickly to new countries, languages, or fields of study. I hope that I can also acquire this broad knowledge base during my studies. Professionally, I would be more than happy to pursue a career with the U.S. State Department, and I will prioritize this prospect in the coming years.