Harit Keawmuang, selected as a POSCO Asia Fellow in the fall of 2022, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). Originally from Thailand, Harit completed his undergraduate studies in his home country and went on to earn a master’s degree in Hungary, Europe. He came to Korea to begin his doctoral studies as a POSCO Asia Fellow*. In this interview, Harit shares his heartfelt journey—from his decision to study in Korea, to his experience as a fellow, and his aspirations to contribute to sustainable technological development in Thailand.

*The POSCO Asia Fellowship is a scholarship program operated by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation. It invites outstanding talent from various Asian countries to Korea to support their master’s and doctoral degrees, and aims to promote exchange and mutual understanding among Asian countries.

Hello, my name is Harit Keawmuang, and I’m from Thailand. Thai people usually have nicknames, and mine is “Game.” Even in Korea, my professors and friends call me by this nickname.

​I completed my undergraduate degree in Thailand, then earned a master’s degree in Hungary. In the fall of 2022, I was very fortunate to be selected as a POSCO Asia Fellow, which brought me to Korea to pursue my Ph.D. I’m now in my third year of the Ph.D. program in Mechanical Engineering at POSTECH, focusing on the field of nanophotonics.

Nanophotonics is a field that studies how to manipulate light using extremely small structures. The prefix “nano” refers to a unit that is one-billionth of a meter. We study how to guide and shape light through these tiny structures. One example is the “metalens”—an ultra-thin lens composed of nanostructures. These lenses can focus light without the need for traditional thick glass, making them particularly useful for smartphones, compact cameras, and medical devices.

While preparing to study in Korea, I was looking for scholarships and came across the POSCO Asia Fellowship. I learned that it offered not only financial support but also a platform for connecting with other talented students from across Asia studying in Korea. That drew me in, and I decided to apply.

​When I found out I had been selected, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy. At the same time, I was a bit sad about being apart from my family. Still, I believed this would be a meaningful step in both my personal and academic journey. I was confident and ready to embrace the new challenges ahead.

The POSCO Asia Fellowship and the POSCO TJ Park Foundation provided not only financial support but also emotional care. Thanks to their thoughtful consideration and encouragement, my life in Korea became much smoother. One of the most memorable moments was attending an alumni gathering in Pohang. It was a delightful experience where I got to enjoy food and conversations with alumni from various countries, including fellow Thai seniors.

​Another memory that stands out is receiving gifts from the Foundation during Korean holidays. After a long day, coming back to my dorm to find a warm gift left at my door was truly comforting. Those moments reminded me that I wasn’t alone, and they meant a lot to me.

There were three main reasons I decided to study in Korea. First, I had a long-standing interest in Korean culture, especially through Korean dramas, which sparked my curiosity about Korean life and language. Over time, I developed a desire to experience life in Korea firsthand.

​Second, I wanted to shift my academic journey from Europe to Asia. In Thailand, graduation ceremonies are very important to families, especially to older generations. My grandmother, who raised me, couldn’t attend my undergraduate ceremony, and due to distance and health issues, she also missed my master’s graduation. I hoped that by studying in Asia, she might be able to attend my Ph.D. graduation, which was a strong motivation for me.

​Third, I wanted to study nanotechnology and nanophotonics—fields that are still developing in Thailand. POSTECH, in particular, has excellent research environments, outstanding faculty, and cutting-edge facilities. I believed it was the ideal place for me to grow in this field.

I am conducting research in nanotechnology, specifically in the field of nanophotonics. As mentioned earlier, this field explores how to manipulate light through extremely small structures. My current research focuses on a technology called Photonic Radiative Cooling.

​This technology uses nanostructures to reflect sunlight and radiate heat, cooling objects to temperatures even lower than the surrounding air, all without using electricity. It’s a highly practical and eco-friendly cooling method, different from traditional air conditioners.

​I chose this field not only because it is fascinating, but also because Thailand still has a long way to go in this area. Nanophotonics is rapidly evolving worldwide and holds great innovation potential. In a hot and humid country like Thailand, this kind of energy-efficient cooling technology could make a significant impact. My goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable cooling systems in Thailand—technology that could benefit everyday life and help solve environmental issues.

As a Ph.D. student, my immediate goal is to produce meaningful research and publish high-quality results. After completing my degree, I hope to return to Thailand and work as a professor or researcher, contributing to the advancement of nanotechnology and nanophotonics in my country. Most of all, I want to spend time with my family, who have supported me throughout this journey, and repay their love and encouragement by living closely with them.

To students who are currently chasing their dreams or going through tough times, I want to say: even if you feel like giving up, you can overcome it. I wasn’t very focused in school and often gave up easily. But once I started thinking about what matters—myself and the people who care about me—I began to focus and change.

​If you feel like you don’t have the strength to fight for yourself, think about those you love. For me, my mother and my family were my greatest sources of strength.

​To be honest, I wasn’t someone with grand ambitions or dreams. I simply wanted to be a better person, make my mom proud, and protect my family by doing something I love. What I’ve learned is that you don’t need a big dream or a flashy goal to move forward. Sometimes, the small motivations tied to those you care about can become a powerful force that changes your life. Rather than big plans, it might be the precious people right beside you who push you forward.

To me, POSCO and the POSCO TJ Park Foundation are not just a company or a foundation. As a POSCO Asia Fellow, I feel a deep sense of pride and belonging, not just as a scholarship recipient, but as a member of a community that truly believes in and supports me. I know that everything I’ve accomplished in Korea was not achieved alone. It was made possible because of POSCO’s support. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank POSCO and the POSCO TJ Park Foundation once again.

*This content was created based on an interview article by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation.

Over 100 people attended the award ceremony, including the POSCO TJ Park Foundation’s CEO, Ohjoon Kwon; 12 university-related executives including Sogang University Chairman Byungnam Yoon, Yonsei University International Campus Vice President Kyungtae Lee and KDI School of Public Policy and Management Dean Hongtack Chun. Fourteen directors of the Foundation were also present, including former Seoul National University President Joongho Sunwoo, Barun Law Attorney Ilhoan Park, Yonsei University Honorary Professor Bok Song, Seoul National University Professor Hokeun Song, Samchully Chairman Joonho Han and Samil PwC Chairman Kyungtae Ahn, along with 53 Asian scholars.

The scholarship for Asian students studying in Korea is an inbound scholarship supporting young and talented individuals from developing Asian countries to complete master’s or doctoral courses at approximately ten of the most prestigious graduate schools in Korea.

On November 18, the POSCO TJ Park Foundation presented scholarship awards to 28 selected Asian fellows for this year. The scholars will complete master’s or doctoral courses at some of the most prestigious graduate schools in Korea, and then return home to contribute to their countries.

The POSCO TJ Park Foundation selected a total of 28 people as POSCO Asia Fellows this year: 9 from Vietnam, 3 from Indonesia, 3 from China, 2 from Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Kazakhstan, and 1 from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, India and Malaysia.

These scholars will study for two years at institutions in cooperation with the Foundation, such as the Seoul National University Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), the Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration, Yonsei University GSIS, Korea University GSIS, Sogang University GSIS, Ewha Womans University GSIS, KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Graduate School of International and Area Studies, POSTECH Graduate School and the Academy of Korean Studies. The Foundation provides full tuitions and living expenses of 1 million KRW a month for two years.

“Asia is the most rapidly growing and dynamic region in the world today, but it’s also scattered with more and more ethnic, religious, ideological and territorial conflicts,” remarked CEO Ohjoon Kwon while delivering words of encouragement at the ceremony.

“The POSCO TJ Park Foundation’s POSCO Asia Fellowship is POSCO’s effort in the private sector to broaden the scope of interaction and cooperation among Asian countries. We hope that, despite our different appearances and thoughts, all the scholars value the sense of cooperation for the joint prosperity of Asia.”

CEO Kwon’s speech was followed by a presentation titled “Growing My Dream with Korea” by Feruza, an Uzbekistan native who is currently an economics major at the Graduate School of Korean Studies of the Academy of Korean Studies. She discussed how she felt and thought of her experience in Korea so far. Moreover, all of the scholars sang a Korean pop song in unison, which they had rehearsed over the last month, receiving applause and a fervent response from the audience.

Furthermore, the POSCO TJ Park Foundation is providing all kinds of support for the convenience of the scholars during their stay in Korea, in addition to the award ceremony hosted by the Chairman for the scholars. A mentor-mentee program is offered for fellows who just came to Korea to help them with issuing the certificates and signing contracts for studio apartments.

Programs are also provided for them to experience society and culture in Korea. Learning the Korean language is also made mandatory so that they can comfortably speak basic Korean during the two years of their stay. Once they are about to return to their homeland after their studies, a conference will be hosted for the students to present their research papers to share the two years of their academic achievements, which will be a fruitful experience for them.

The POSCO Asia Fellowship, which is celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, has provided 12.3 billion KRW to a total of 324 scholars. Most of the scholars are growing into leaders in their home countries after graduation, working as public servants, college professors or employees at global corporations. Furthermore, POSCO Asia Fellows are also running and supporting the POSCO Reunion. Past examples include reunions at Vietnam in 2011, Thailand in 2014, Indonesia in 2015 and India in 2016.

As the core program of the Foundation, the POSCO Asia Fellowship consists of a total of five programs: 1) a scholarship for Asian students studying in Korea, 2) an Asia research grant that supports research by Asian scholars on the liberal arts and social sciences, 3) an Asia regional expert training for in-depth research on the Asian region, 4) scholarship for excellent Asian universities and 5) publication of the first Asian literary journal.

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On March 19, the POSCO TJ Park Foundation held the POSCO Asia Fellowship homecoming seminar at the POSCO Center in Seoul. More than 50 master’s and doctoral degree recipients, as well as new students receiving scholarships from the foundation, attended the event, sharing information about life in Korea and reinforcing their networks.

Speaking at the homecoming seminar were seven graduates who earned their degrees through the support of the POSCO TJ Park Foundation and who have continued working in Korea instead of going back home. They talked about their diverse experiences, such as school life, paths to employment, and Korean corporate culture. The new scholarship recipients enthusiastically asked questions and shared their own information.

On March 19, POSCO TJ Park Foundation scholarship recipients and graduates attended the POSCO Asia Fellowship homecoming seminar at POSCO Center in Seoul. Over 50 students on scholarships and graduates from 12 countries, including China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and India, attended the seminar.

“I was happy to introduce my school life and career in Korea to the new students,” said Ms. Nguyen, a Sogang University graduate who is now in charge of Vietnam-related global affairs at Samsung Life Insurance. “Thanks to the support of the POSCO TJ Park Foundation, I am learning about Korean companies’ keys to success and I look forward to becoming a financial expert on Vietnam.”

POSCO Asia Fellowships nurture talent, turning them into next-generation global leaders

POSCO TJ Park Foundation operates the POSCO Asia Fellowship program to promote the exchange of talent among Asian countries and nurture global leaders. Since 2005, the foundation has run a scholarship program that invites promising talent from around Asia to Korea and supports them so they can earn master’s and doctoral degrees. Students chosen for the scholarship receive full support for their tuition fees and living expenses from the POSCO TJ Park Foundation for their studies in Korea.

Since 2005, the POSCO TJ Park Foundation has spent more than 10 billion won (about $8.6 million) on its scholarship program, helping more than 300 outstanding students from 28 countries around Asia.

The POSCO TJ Park Foundation will continue to support talented people around Asia, to help them grow into the next-generation global leaders, and to provide them with many occasions like the homecoming seminar to gather together, network and learn from each other.

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As a global social enterprise, POSCO is well-known for its numerous activities that have been contributing to social and economic development both at national and local level. Today, we would like to share the stories of POSCO-Vietnam’s scholarship programs.

POSCO-Vietnam has been providing scholarship programs for schools of Tan Thanh district in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and for students of Korean Studies Department at University of Da Lat, in Lam Dong province. In addition, through POSCO Asia Fellowship in Vietnam, POSCO-Vietnam has granted the POSCO TJ Park scholarships to excellent students of Vietnam National University- Ho Chi Minh City.

Scholarships for Struggling Students at Tan Thanh District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province

Tan Thanh is a district where POSCO-Vietnam is operating its business. Across the district, there are 37 schools of which almost every student is studying under poor condition. Recognizing this situation, POSCO-Vietnam decided to launch a scholarship program as the branch initiated its business in 2006. Since then, POSCO-Vietnam annually grants around 130 scholarships and 10 bicycles to many students of impoverished conditions.

“POSCO– Vietnam has great contributions to local community, especially for poor people and students. I highly appreciated its support for its eight consecutive years of POSCO-Vietnam scholarships program”, said Mr. Le Van Xuong-Chairman of Tan Thanh District.

Living in Tan Thanh district’s Toc Tien village, a student named Nguyen Thi Hue, grade 8, receives a scholarship from the program. Her father is a xe om driver (motorbike taxi) and her mother is an amateur embroiderer. However, their combined incomes are insufficient to support and educate their three children. Every morning, she gets a bike lift from her friends or rides from her father to get to her school which is 3km away from her home. When she fails to get a ride, she needs to walk all the way to the school.

“Since today, I don’t walk anymore because POSCO-Vietnam gives me a bike and notebooks for school. Thank you friends for lifting me until now and POSCO-Vietnam for these precious gifts”, said Hue.

Around 1,000 students received scholarship with this program since 2006.

Scholarships for Students of Korean Studies Department at University of Da Lat

With the purpose of finding the best employees for interpreter positions (Korean-Vietnamese), POSCO has been maintaining a friendly relationship with University of Da Lat since 2009. For the past six years, POSCO-Vietnam has been granting 30 scholarships to the students of Korean Studies or Oriental Studies Department at university of Da Lat.

On October 28, POSCO-Vietnam scholarship was granted to five excellent students at a meeting hall of University of Da Lat. “We hope that these scholarships are encouragements for students to make their efforts in studying and pursue their own dreams, becoming the pioneers for the country’s development. We believe the scholarships of POSCO-Vietnam will be an initiation for the students’ future success”, said Yun Yang Su, General Director of POSCO-Vietnam.

As a response, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa, the principle of the university, expressed his appreciation to POSCO-Vietnam for its support and assistance during the past years. He also expressed his hope that the scholarship program would be a bridge for long-term cooperation between the university and POSCO-Vietnam to encourage students to build up their bright future.

POSCO TJ Park Scholarships in Vietnam

The POSCO TJ Park Foundation, a non-profit organization that nurtures prospective young talents in Asia, has been providing more than 150 scholarships to students of the largest and most distinguished university in Vietnam, named Vietnam Nation University – Ho Chi Minh City.

“POSCO TJ Park Scholarship played an important role in our lives for us by encouraging us and making us a step closer to our dreams.”, said the 4^th year student, Huynh Minh Thuan.

Representative for POSCO TJ Park Scholarship Foundation, Yun Yang Su-POSCO-Vietnam’s General Director hoped that the scholarship recipients would make their efforts in studying so that they could take part in the training courses for MA or Ph.D in Korea, sponsored by POSCO Asia Fellowship, and get a chance to learn about Korean culture as well. He also stated that recipients would prove their qualifications to become gifted leaders contributing for Vietnam’s development and Asian region as well.

The POSCO Asia Fellowship supports the prospective leaders of Asia by providing full tuition and living expenses to young talents from Asian countries as they enroll in master’s or doctoral programs at some of the most prestigious Korean universities or institutions and experience the Korean society and culture. So far, the fellowship has sponsored 39 Vietnamese students to take courses in Korea since its establishment. 

To Create Bright Future for Students
POSCO-Vietnam does not only offer occupations for parents but also supports their children for better academic circumstance through its scholarship program. As POSCO-Vietnam build POSCO Village for the local people living in poverty, the branch will continue to create an academic environment to educate the young generation for the bright future of Vietnam.

(This episode is provided by POSCO’s global storyteller, Mr. Nguyen Van Nam)

POSCO TJ Park Foundation

Named after POSCO founder Tae-Joon Park, the POSCO TJ Park Foundation (Website Link) was established in 2005 as a non-profit organization to make extensive and systematic social contributions. The Foundation runs four core programs: POSCO TJ Park Prize to award outstanding persons in the fields of science, education, and community development & philanthropy; regional contribution programs to participate in the local community and to nurture talents who will contribute to society; POSCO Asia Fellowship for mutual understanding and communication between Asian countries; and TJ Park Science Fellowship to support young and talented basic scientists in Korea. Through these core programs, the Foundation strives to carry out the social responsibilities of POSCO and contribute to its sustainable management.

Let’s have a closer look into the core programs managed by POSCO TJ Park Foundation:

The Core Programs of the POSCO TJ Park Foundation

#1. TJ Park Science Fellowship: Awarding Outstanding Achievements in Science

The TJ Park Science Fellowship selects and supports talented scientists who study and research in a university or institution in Korea, not abroad, to allow them to grow into scientists of global standard. This Fellowship is designed to help young scientists, including graduates of doctoral studies, post-doctoral researchers, and young assistant professors in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and Biological sciences so that they can focus on their research in Korea with stability and a sense of pride.

#2. Regional Contribution Programs: Nurturing Future Talents

POSCO Rising Star Scholarship

This Scholarship is awarded to high school students in Pohang and Gwangyang where POSCO is located. The purpose of the Scholarship is to practice the corporate philosophy of POSCO to participate in the local community and to nurture talents who will contribute to society.

POSCO Vision Scholarship

This Scholarship is awarded to young students in poor circumstances in Pohang and Gwangyang, where POSCO is located, with the aim to help them focus on their studies with the right attitude and thereby grow into outstanding members of society.

#3. POSCO TJ Park Prize: Honoring Philanthropic Social Contributions

The POSCO TJ Park Prize was established to honor the achievements of POSCO’s Honorary Chairman, Tae-Joon Park, and to promote the company’s efforts to respect creativity, nurture talent, and practice philanthropy – the driving forces behind the company’s success – with the hope that this will encourage the public to make even greater contributions to social progress in the future. The Prize is given in three fields: science, education, and community development & philanthropy to individuals and/or organizations that are selected through a fair, transparent, and strict selection process. The prize presentation ceremony is held every year, where a medal and prize money of KRW 200 million (approximately USD 170,000) is awarded to each laureate. Through the POSCO TJ Park Prize, the Foundation hopes to arouse the drive for research and the pride of the nation’s science & technology sector, contribute to grounding an exemplary image of an educator, and awaken a sense of value in fulfilling the spirit of community development & philanthropy.

#4. POSCO Asia Fellowship: Encouraging Collaboration and Exchange in Asia

One of the key enterprises of the Foundation, the POSCO Asia Fellowship provides scholarships, facilitates academic research, and publishes literary works with the aim to enhance mutual understanding and collaborative exchanges between Asian countries. The objectives are nurturing prospective young talents and encouraging exchanges and collaboration between intellectuals in Asia. Through such efforts, the Foundation aims to contribute to the mutual prosperity of Asian countries as well as the building of a network of talents.

[box] Programs and Scholarships Available within POSCO Asia Fellowship

Scholarship for Asian Students Studying in Korea

This Scholarship supports the prospective leaders of Asia by providing full tuition and living expenses to young talents from Asian countries as they enroll in master’s or doctoral programs at some of the most prestigious Korean universities or institutions and experience the Korean society and culture.

Asia Regional Expert Nurturing Program

This Program is designed to nurture Korean experts of the Asian region by supporting their education abroad so that they can acquire a sound understanding of the language, history, and culture of various Asian countries and establish a solid foundation for further studies and research endeavors. The Program will enable Korean experts to lead the regional studies on Asia and ultimately contribute to the development of the Asian region.

Scholarship for Prestigious Asian Universities

The Foundation is building cooperative relations with prestigious universities in Asia and awarding scholarships to the excellent Asian students at those universities in order to boost their academic achievements.

Asia Research Grant Program & POSCO Asia Conference

This Program aims to support the intellectuals of Asian countries, including scholars, professors, and researchers, as they conduct in-depth research on the cultural and social fields regarding Asia. The POSCO Asia Conference is an international convention where Asian scholars share the results of their research conducted for 1~2 years with the support of the Foundation and establish academic networks.

Publication of the Literary Journal ASIA

The quarterly literary journal ASIA is published to help Asian writers and artists pursue their creative activities and to improve exchanges and networks between countries in Asia through the literary endeavors of intellectuals and literary persons.

◈ To learn more about the eligibility and scope of support for each scholarship/program, click here[/box]

The POSCO TJ Park Foundation is dedicated to further expanding Asia’s academic and cultural networks, nurturing young leaders who will open up a brighter future for the region, and sharing with its neighbors in need. By standing tall as a foundation that establishes POSCO as a respected and loved company by the people and that serves the nation, we will be at the forefront of the efforts to make the world a more abundant and warmer place.

Differences exist not only between the two sexes but everywhere: among colleagues at work, between friends, and further, among the various cultures in this world. It is a truly meaningful effort to have an open mind and make a sincere effort to understand and sympathize with others. This is why the POSCO TJ Foundation invites open-minded brilliant talents across the globe through the POSCO Asia Fellowship program. Today Hello, POSCO blog introduces the story of Aigul Kussaliyeva, a fellow of the POSCO Asia Fellowship program from Kazakhstan. Let’s hear about her experiences of cultural understanding during her weekend trip to Insa-dong and Dongdaemun in Seoul, Korea.

Her Story: Aigul on Korea

I was looking for something that would be very Korean and practical at the same time to give my sister and parents back home in Kazakhstan. My sister was getting married soon, and I wanted to find something meaningful for her. My friend in Korea recommended getting some green tea, but I was still a newbie about Korea – I had been here for just two months – and didn’t know where to go look for it. Luckily, my friend Gun Huh who works at the POSCO TJ Foundation offered to be my guide, and that’s how our date started!

We looked for a place where we could purchase the best gift while getting to experience Korean traditional culture, and Insa-dong was the perfect place to do just that. The weather was pretty hot, but everything was so fun and interesting that we were barely affected by it. The streets were teeming with cultural goods, and we even got to take a picture with a pair of young people in traditional Korean clothes, supporting the preservation of the Korean language. They taught us a lot about Korean language and culture, including the phrase Ari Ari which means “Go for it!” in old Korean.

We stepped inside “Osulloc,” which was a shop full of various kinds of organic tea. After a sniff of the wonderfully tasteful aroma of the green tea leaf, I found myself buying 5 sets of green tea even before I knew what I was doing.

After buying the tea gifts, my friend and I had a lovely time chatting about Korea sipping cool traditional tea. I talked about how joyous and nice Koreans were, especially during drinking parties. There was this one guy who went out of his way to mix up a drink just for me! I think Korea’s unique vibe comes from the intimacy and joyfulness of its people.

After the relaxing tea time, we headed for the Ssamjigil of Insa-dong. One of the things that interested me the most was the wall of letters at a rooftop at Ssamjigil. I was astonished to find out they were letters of love written by lovers who visited the Ssamjigil. Back home at Kazakhstan, people don’t express their love for one another so much. I thought it was very cute and lovely for Koreans to be so affectionate to each other.

[box] About Ssamjigil

(Photo courtesy of Ssamjigil, http://www.ssamzigil.co.kr/)

Ssamjigil was opened to the public on November 18, 2004. It is a road full of cultural goods and merchandise, just like a shopping mall. The unique architecture that connects the first floor to the fourth floor with a single road makes it an attractive place to visit not only for Koreans but also for tourists. The plaza in the center of Ssamjigil is where various exhibitions and plays are held, making it a famous location for cultural experiences, sightseeing and ethnic food. [/box]

His Story: Gun on Kazakhstan

Taking Aigul out to experience Korea together was both fun and challenging. I realized that it doesn’t necessarily mean you know all about your own culture just because you were born and raised in it: you really have to think about the culture and have a deep understanding of the history that formed that culture. Such was the mindset I had when I guided Aigul to Insa-dong.

After our tour of Insa-dong, Aigul offered to introduce me to a little bit of her own culture. She took me to an ethnic restaurant at Dongdaemun that had traditional Russian food. Aigul told me that Kazakhstan is a multi-cultural country home to various unique dishes. The most prevalent are traditional Kazakh and Russian cuisine. It was my first time to try Russian food, and I totally loved it!

One thing I noticed about Russian cuisine was its unique aroma. I learned from Aigul that Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan cuisine share a common aroma. When I asked her for the secret recipe, Aigul happily revealed Ukrop, an annual herb used widely in Russia and Kazakhstan cuisine as a spice. She even gave me some as a gift to use when cooking soup! I was delighted to have had learned something about Aigul’s home country; it made our day a mutually learning experience.

The lady from Kazakhstan and the gentleman from Korea had a meaningful time explaining and experiencing each other’s culture and food. We hope to see more meaningful cultural exchanges in the future through the POSCO Asia Fellowship program!

Home to a promising market and a booming economy, Asia is definitely the world’s hottest region nowadays. It’s also becoming more and more commonplace for people around the globe to consider Asia as their next vacation destination. From the Taj Mahal to the Great Wall, Asia is full of wonderful and mysterious places to visit. Let’s have a quick look at some of the wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia! 

#1 Taj Mahal (India)

(Photo courtesy of wikimedia, http://bit.ly/1w3S8dU)

Regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, Taj Mahal is considered by many historians to be the most beautiful architectural masterpiece in history. Taj Mahal was built by Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. Listed as a World Heritage in 1983, the stunning palace is known to present its finest at dawn and sunset.

#2 Great Wall (China)

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, http://bit.ly/1sA7rLm)

The Great Wall of China is a truly mammoth structure. The entire length of the wall is said to be 21,196km long, almost half the circumference of planet Earth! If you’re like most travelers and can’t walk that much, then stop by the most famous part of the Great Wall at Jinshanling, built by the first Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang.

#3 Angkor (Cambodia)

(Photo’s courtesy of pixaboy, http://bit.ly/1n9Hxst)

The stunningly mysterious ancient complex used to be the capital of the Khmer empire, which dominated mainland South-East Asia for centuries. The name “Angkor” derives from Sanskrit, meaning “city”. Let yourself be awed following the architectural footsteps of the ancients.

How many of these famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites have you visited? There are still so many more sites to introduce, but today, Hello, POSCO has prepared one particular recommendation: Namhansanseong in Korea. Shall we take a virtual tour to the historic monument that has been newly listed as a World Heritage Site in 2014?

In the Bucket List: 2014 UNESCO World Heritage Site Namhansanseong

(Photo’s courtesy of Wikimedia, http://bit.ly/1mLJykv)

Namhansanseong has been newly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, making it one of the hottest places to visit in Korea along with Gyeongbokgung(ancient royal palace), Bukchon Hanok Maeul(village of traditional houses), Namdaemun Market(bustling market in front of an ancient guard tower), and Insadong(traditional folk village). On May, beneficiaries of the POSCO Asia Fellowship Program, a scholarship program by POSCO TJ Park Foundation, visited Namhansanseong and were awed by its splendor.

[box] POSCO TJ Park Foundation & POSCO Asia Fellowship

POSCO demonstrates its commitment to being a socially responsible corporation through the POSCO TJ Park Foundation. The foundation promotes POSCO’s global citizenship through the management of various structured programs. Among the foundation’s programs are: POSCO Asia Fellowship, which goal is to promote understanding and mutual growth among Asian nations; POSCO TJ Park Prize, which is awarded to those who have made outstanding achievements in the fields of science, education and volunteer work; and TJ Park Science Fellowship, which supports the research of basic scientists in Korea.

The POSCO Asia Fellowship program is a scholarship program that supports prospective leaders of Asia by providing tuition and living expenses to young intellectuals from Asian countries as they enroll for Master’s or Doctoral courses at some of the prestigious Korean universities and institutions and learn more about various aspects of Korean society and culture. Whereas scholarships in Korea are generally designed to benefit Koreans who wish to study abroad, this project is unique in that it brings non-Korean Asian students to Korea to help them establish intimate relationships with the Korean society. The Foundation believes that this program will not only enhance the participants’ expertise in their individual fields of study, but also help them grow as global leaders and provide them with a deeper understanding of Korea by giving them opportunities to gain first-hand knowledge of the people and the culture. [/box]

Places to visit at Namhansanseong 

The POSCO Asia Fellowship scholars took Route #1, otherwise known as “the road of history and life” at Namhansanseong. The 3.8km-long route takes 80minutes to finish, so it’s the best course for beginners looking for a short and easy walk.

Sueojangdae: The Command Tower

Sueojangdae (Photo’s courtesy of Gyeonggi Province Blog, http://bit.ly/1jfzxeC) 

Sueojangdae, or the Command Tower, is located at the west of Namhansanseong. The two-story tower, built to command the army and investigate the enemy from afar, is the only remaining tower left in the fortress. The signboard on the 2^nd floor that reads Mumangru (“Never Forget”) was written by King Youngjo himself, as a reminder of the humiliating defeat of the Manchu War of 1636. During the War, then King Injo was forced to bow three times to the Manchu King, and his son Hyojong was sent away as prisoner for 8 years. The words “Never Forget” on the signboard embodies King Youngjo’s determination to seek revenge for the humiliating historic incident.

Seoammun: The Secret Passage beneath the Command Tower

Beneath the Command Tower, the students discovered the secret passage “Seoammun”. The passage was something they had never seen before, and the students became immersed in Korean culture by sneaking into the passage themselves

For more information on recommended routes and locations, check out the official Namhansanseong homepage here (Link)

Epilogue: POSCO Asia Fellowship Scholars share their impressions of Namhansanseong  

After their visit to Namhansanseong, the POSCO Asia Fellowship Scholars felt their love and understanding of Korean culture grow. Let’s take a look at the comments from some of the students after the tour!

“It was a great opportunity to enjoy a beautiful view and the awesome Namhansanseong. We don’t have anything like this in Kazakhstan. More than anything, I was smitten by the Korean full course meal we had after sightseeing. I’m deep in love with Korea now. Spasibo (Thank You), POSCO!” – Rafael Vecsentayev ( Graduate School of Sogang University, Kazakhstan)

“I think Mongolia and Korea are similar in many ways. The people look similar, and they both emphasize the importance of living in harmony with Mother Nature. These similarities make me feel more at home in Korea. I sincerely thank POSCO and the TJ Park Foundation for giving me such a wonderful opportunity. I’ll study harder!“ –Undra Erdenesot (Graduate School of Seoul National University, Mongolia)

“The Great Wall of China is much larger than Namhansanseong, but is less in harmony with the surrounding nature. Namhansanseong has a truly beautiful view” – Yuriwan (Seoul  National University, China)
 

If you haven’t put Namhansanseong in your travel bucket list for Korea yet, now’s the time to do it!  Have a wonderful and meaningful time learning about Korean history and culture at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Namhansanseong!