Interns Bid Farewell to Area IV

By Cpl. Jung Han Soh (Daegu)March 6, 2017

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The United States Army Garrison Daegu 2016 Fall Session Intern Program Closing Ceremony was held on February 10 at Yeungnam University's Chunma Arts Center to celebrate every 54 interns who worked in Area IV for the last six months.

USAG Daegu Commander Col. Ted Stephens, Yeungnam University Vice President of External Cooperation Office Professor Yi, Hui-uk, Area IV supervisors, and university administrators and teachers attended the ceremony to celebrate the successful closing of the 25th internship program.

"Over the last six months, our interns have contributed significantly to Area IV with their hard work," said Stephens. "It is hard to believe this incredible program has begun its second decade, that almost one thousand students have taken advantage of this opportunity. It highlights the partnership between our two great nations, an alliance forged in blood."

Professor Yi, Hui-uk welcomed all the distinguished guests and attendees. He congratulated the interns for completing the session and emphasized the importance of having a foreign experience.

"I would like to congratulate the students on the accomplishment of their intern program at USAG Daegu," said Yi. "It is a "kill three birds with one stone" opportunity. Through the USAG Daegu internship program, the students can experience foreign corporate culture, build their careers and also upgrade their English skills."

There are six universities that participated in the internship program. Each of them take turns hosting the ceremony. This time, the event was hosted by Yeungnam University.

After the congratulatory comments from Stephens and Yi, 54 interns received their Certificate of Appreciation for their dedicated work. Three awards were presented, outstanding intern, intern supervisor and intern video contest winning team. Ha, Hyun-ji, an intern worked at Daegu American School, received the Commander's Award for Public Service. Aaron Bench, Management Analyst of Plans, Analysis and Integration Office, received the Commander's Award for Civilian Service and Team Green's video was chosen as the winner of the intern team video contest.

"I would like to thank you to my supervisors for helping whenever I asked something," said Ha, Hyun-ji, the awardee of Outstanding Intern Award. "For the last six months, I learned a lot and it was a great experience. I feel really excited that this is the first time for DAS interns to receive Outstanding Intern Award."

The intern program builds positive U.S. and Korean relationships, brings a unique and talented group of young adults with fresh ideas to multiple work sites, and gives a decided edge in future endeavors for those students as they move into the Korean workforce.

Stephens had an office call with the President of Yeungnam University, Sur, Gil-soo after the ceremony. They discussed several things including the internship program and President Sur showed the gratitude to Stephens for supporting the program.