Four University of North Georgia (UNG) students are participating in the first East Asian studies internship program at two metro Atlanta schools this fall. The students are serving as interns in the schools as teaching assistants, applying their knowledge of Japanese or Korean language and culture, said Dr. Sung Shin Kim, director of East Asian studies and professor of history.

Anna Shelley and Justin Wlosko are at Parsons Elementary School in Gwinnett County, which has a Korean dual language program. Susana Olivo Sandoval and Sarai Deras are at the International Charter Academy of Georgia in Peachtree Corners, which has a Japanese dual language program.

Wlosko said he appreciates the confidence his site supervisor has in him.

"Ms. Min Jeong Kim has given me access to teach the language in my own way with the ability to create my own individual lessons for grammar and vocabulary," the Cumming, Georgia, resident said. "The environment has been very light and positive."

Wlosko is a senior pursuing a degree in international affairs with a minor in Korean. He said the experience has increased his desire to teach and will be an asset in his Fulbright application to teach English in South Korea.

"This is a fantastic step toward a Fulbright experience. As someone with zero formal teaching experience, I felt like this was a necessity to have in my application," he said.  

Olivo Sandoval, originally from Moroleón, Mexico, is pursuing degrees in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature and East Asian studies with a Japanese concentration. She said her students refer to her as "Susana-Sensei," or "Teacher Susana."

"I am surprised with the structure of the school. Students are taking classes in full Japanese. Even during the math period they receive instruction in Japanese," she said. "Children are very energetic, and as educators, we need to keep a cheerful and strict attitude with them. Still, I am enjoying spending time with students who are learning English and Japanese."

The internship provides professional experience which Olivo Sandoval believes is an asset in her application for a graduate degree. Her career plans include being a Foreign Service officer focused on public diplomacy, and the exposure to different cultures and languages is important.

Kim and Dr. Christopher Jespersen, dean of the College of Arts & Letters, developed the East Asian studies program.

"We worked together, and we made this program which concentrates on China, Japan and Korea so students can choose a country concentration and graduate with their specialty," Kim said.

Faculty of the East Asian Studies program, including Dr. Jiyoung Daniel, Dr. Tomoe Nishio and Dr. Robin O'Day, visited potential employers.

"In the process, we became acquainted with these schools and were able to propose an internship program that would benefit both them and our students," Kim said.

Kim said it's a learning experience for all.

"They are teaching kids mathematics and science in Japanese or Korean, and our students never learned those terms," Kim said. "So they are learning and teaching at the same time."