2016-09-21 TNKR orientation for 10-1 session

2016-09-21 TNKR National Director Eunkoo Lee led an orientation with refugees to get prepared for our October 1 Language Matching session. We had a nice time--especially when we took photos at the end.

The feedback from the refugees was great:

* When I first started TNKR two years ago, I couldn't communicate with the teachers. I feel much more comfortable now. I need to come back to TNKR because two of my teachers have left Korea.

I had never spoken with native speakers before I joined TNKR. I can see that I have gained confidence, and this will really help when I have an interview for a fellowship opportunity soon. I hope I can find 2 tutors.

* English is very difficult for me. I learned about TNKR from another refugee who is studying in the program now. I'm a senior in college now, I need to start getting prepared for interviews. I lack confidence now to have a discussion or interview in English, so I hope I can improve my confidence and ability.

What I early like about TNKR is that the system is flexible for refugees. I am a little nervous about communicating with tutors in English, I hope they will be patient with me.

* I joined TNKR for a year. It was really difficult at first, and I think I didn't study very hard. I was accepted into a university, I will need to improve my English in order to graduate. I have a lot of free time, so I won't waste this great opportunity provided by TNKR.

I hope I can get 2-3 tutors, I will take it more seriously this time.

* I hope to go abroad as an exchange student, it should be a great experience. My goals are to improve my grammar and speaking. I found out about TNKR from a friend who is studying in the program now. I am really thankful to TNKR because I can see that your main goal is to give opportunities to refugees. It does seem like a challenge because we are expected to also engage in self-study. But that is also a good challenge and makes me realize I need to study hard, not just rely on the teacher.

I hope to get 2 or 3 tutors.

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https://www.facebook.com/events/204321419987133/?action_history=null&ref=4

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2021 update: In late 2020, we put the tutoring project on hold. We hope to restart tutoring, you can support the campaign.

https://give.lovetnkr.com/Tutor-NK-refugees

2019-09-06 Interesting Person of the Week

2019-09-06, I was the "Interesting Person of the Week" on TBSeFM, interviewed by former National Assembly member Jasmine Lee. We first met about six years ago when she was in the National Assembly, but we lost contact a few years ago when I changed jobs and went through a cell phone change. We were in-studio, live on the air, for the “Interesting Person of the Week” feature on Jasmine Lee’s show, 10 Everyday. Podcast: https://audioclip.naver.com/channels/106/clips/12008 The main thing I liked about it: The interview was interactive. She wasn’t just interviewing by going down a list of questions, then jabbing at me occasionally. She had her own thoughts and experiences and would mention them within the context of what I was saying. When she introduced me, I was tempted to say, “If I’m so interesting, why did you wait to interview me? I didn’t get interesting until this week???” Well, even Michael Jordan wasn't MVP every year even though he is one of the all-time greats!...

2019-02-18 TNKR media mentions coming soon

We had two media interviews at our office today. We also have some media outlets who will be covering our speech contest on Saturday, doing interviews before and after the contest. The two interviews today were with an international media outlet and a prominent Korean one. As usual, the international media outlet didn't want to commit to mentioning TNKR although 1) they had promised that when they first contacted us 2) we found an interviewee for them 3) organized it 4) hosted the interview. Update: Yes, NPR you are terrible, once again using non-profits for stories, then ignoring them when it is time for publication. NPR reporters blame their editors back at headquarters for choosing not to name organizations, I am now used to their process. So after this case, I decided when an NPR (or New York Times) reporter contacts me, I will ask the reporter if I can speak to their editor at the start. Perhaps I should also ask to speak to their mothers. www.lovetnkr.org/donate

Paperwork versus real work

Yes, we have fun at Freedom Speakers International! So much fun that some people seem to be surprised to learn that we are an official organization requiring an actual budget, are accountable to our donors and sponsors, and must keep accurate records of our activities. Freedom Speakers International (FSI) has been officially registered as a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization with the IRS in the USA since mid-2017, and we have had similar status in South Korea since 2016 (tax deductions for individuals, not corporations). And being an official organization means we spend a lot of time on paperwork instead of real work! In the photo, you can see the mountain of paperwork that FSI co-founder Eunkoo Lee and FSI accountant Sharon Jang have kept track of and had me sign today. My role: being the rascal coming up with the projects and activities causing so much paperwork, then signing it all when they corner me. * * * Some people used to ask why we needed money because we had vol...

2015-11-12 Case Study of TNKR by Columbia Teachers College

--New York, New York-- If TNKR can make it here, it can make it anywhere... * Wanna know how good TNKR is? Even great people at Columbia University believe it is great. Teach North Korean Refugees is now being analyzed by graduate students at The Teachers College, Columbia University as part of a case study. TNKR wasn't even an official organization until May 2015, but we have already had many great things happen. With both the professor and students in the class analyzing us--yes, asking some pointed questions, too--then TNKR should be even stronger in 2016 in helping refugees find their way and tell their stories. * Have you ever told someone that you were honored by something they were doing, and they try to convince you that they are even more honored to collaborate with you! That's what happened tonight with the professor at Columbia University who opened her classroom to me. She and the students were asking me plenty of pointed questions about TNKR. Based on their respo...

Mock Epic

These folks are so impressed with themselves. I hope the rhymes are kept to minimum. Deval Patrick deserves credit for saving the introduction though.

The Casey Lartigue Show!

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