Application Deadline: October 20 | The Project Bridge Youth Ambassador Program is one of the longest running programs offered by the Korea Society. It was started in 1993 as a response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots to introduce African-American urban students to Korean people, history and culture in an effort to promote greater understanding. Since its inception Project Bridge has engaged urban youth in New York City and Los Angeles and overtime has expanded student
2023-2024 New York City Youth Ambassadorss
Posing with the Society’s Exhibition Jian Yoo | Iridescent Hue

The Project Bridge Youth Ambassador Program is one of the longest running programs offered by the Korea Society. It was started in 1993 as a response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots to introduce African-American urban students to Korean people, history and culture in an effort to promote greater understanding.

Since its inception Project Bridge has engaged urban youth in New York City and Los Angeles and overtime has expanded student diversity in these two urban groups. In fall 2019 the Program added a rural and Indigenous youth perspective and voice with the addition of students from Missoula, Montana.

Aiming to ‘bridge’ the gap among cultures through youth cultural awareness and leadership training, the Program cultivates students’ understanding of race relations using Korea as a case study. Further, it is an intercultural youth leadership program geared to help young Americans of diverse ethnic backgrounds build an understanding of Korea and the importance of the US-Korean relationship.

The Korea Society works in conjunction with the Los Angeles-based Pacific Century Institute and the Missoula-based Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana to offer many exciting opportunities for Youth Ambassadors to not only learn about Korea but to develop leadership and intercultural competence skills, improve their public-speaking ability and grow their personal and professional networks. The academic year-long program consists of three key components: bi-monthly workshops, a ten-day study tour to the Republic of Korea and individual research culminating in a spring community presentation.

Use the following links for further information:

Program Overview
Application Information
Most recent New York City Youth Ambassador cohort
More information on the Los Angeles Pacific Century Institute Program
More information on the Missoula, Montana Mansfield Center Program

 If you want to be contacted when our next Project Bridge Youth Ambassador completion opens or if you have a question, please
click here.