There is much focus around the world on the relationship between North Korea and the United States and between North and South Korea. Not to mention the focus before, during and after the recent 2018 XXIII Olympic Winter Games in Pyeonhchang, South Korea. There is even talk these days of reunification of the two Koreas.
Into this world – and for her fourth trip to South Korea since she turned 16 – steps an impressive young woman – Knoxville’s Emily Rowcliffe. She is a graduate of Webb School (Class of 2015) and was a Rotary Youth Exchange student to South Korea in 2013-14, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Farragut.
Emily is now working toward degrees in history and Asian studies at the University of the South – Sewanee.
In early March, Sewanee awarded its prestigious Biehl International Research Fellowship to Emily, who will be returning to South Korea to conduct independent research this summer as she explores the topic “South Korea: Re-assimilating North Koreans.”
“I’m beyond thrilled that I was awarded the Biehl Fellowship. With it, I’m going back to South Korea for seven weeks this summer to research the assimilation process for North Korean refugees in South Korea,” Emily says.
“There are a couple of programs in place for North Korean refugees, so I want to learn how well they help establish North Koreans in their new home as well as learn what other steps can be taken to assist them. This is my third time in South Korea since I was 16 years old. I could not have done this without the help and support of Rotary International (especially Farragut Rotarian Bill Nichols), Sewanee, and my wonderful mum, Amanda.”
Her “Mum” Amanda, a native of Great Britain, teaches social studies in the Upper School at Webb and is a big supporter of Emily’s international studies.
And Emily added this: “I was motivated to apply for the Biehl because it seemed like a good opportunity to research something I’m passionate about. I’m very grateful that Sewanee has opportunities for students like this because it gives us a chance to go out in the world and get experience researching something we might not get to do otherwise.
“I’m most looking forward to getting to know the North Koreans better and once again being in a country I love.”
In the fall semester 2017, Emily was on a study abroad trip at Yonsei University and that experience is the link to her upcoming trip. Yonsei University is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea, and one of Korea’s three SKY universities, considered the most prestigious in the country.
This past fall, Emily volunteered to mentor a few North Korean refugees around her age and got to know some of them well.
“They gave me a better sense of what life was like for them back in North Korea and how hard of a journey it was to South Korea. Unfortunately, I learned that South Koreans have a prejudice against North Korean refugees, because a lot of them see the refugees as just taking handouts from the government without really contributing to society.
“It is important to get a better understanding of the North Korean refugees because of how volatile the relationship is between the two Koreas at this moment. As the situation between North and South Korea continues to evolve, especially since the renewal of hope during the Olympics, it is paramount to put people over politics in order to best help North Koreans assimilating to the outside world,” Emily explained.
Back to Farragut Rotarian Bill Nichols, who serves as the outbound chair for Rotary Youth Exchange students from District 6780 in East Tennessee. In that role he has become close friends with Emily and her family.
“I did forward to Emily and her mother information on the Rotary International Peace Fellowships and I want to strongly support and endorse her for this Rotary fellowship when she graduates (from Sewanee),” Bill said. “Her research is so relevant today to what’s going on in the world.”
Bill has already made sure that when Emily returns in late summer, she will speak at a Farragut Rotary Wednesday meeting about her trip and her studies in South Korea.