Around the World with Namju Cho

A World-Class Flight Introducing SGA’s Newest Project Manager

For many, it’s a dream to travel around the world, but for Namju it was all part of growing up.

For many, it’s a dream to travel around the world, but for Namju it was all part of growing up.

AustraliaWe begin today’s flight in Australia, where Namju was born.

Australia

It wasn’t long until work took Namju’s father—who worked for the Korean government—and the family north…

Waaaaaaay north….

Waaaaaaay north….to the Netherlands.

Then after a couple of years…

Then after a couple of years…to Ivory Coast.

By the time Namju started school,

she had 3 countries under her belt and was ready to add another…

she had 3 countries under her belt and was ready to add another…France!

Namju attended elementary school en France.

France

Namju attended elementary school en France.

And it turns out that her first language was French!

France

Soon it was time to travel again.

This time to Korea.

This time to Korea. Then on to Chile.

Here in South America, Namju learned to speak both English and Spanish over the course of 3 years.Argentina

Bolivia

Peru

Here in South America, Namju learned to speak both English and Spanish over the course of 3 years.

It’s also where Namju’s interest in journalism was sparked

Argentina

Bolivia

Peru

while thumbing through Newsweek Magazine’s coverage of Korea’s pro-democracy movements.

But it was back in Korea where Namju would finish up middle school and start high school.

If you’re keeping count, we’re up to 6 countries already.

2

1

3

4

5

6

Why not add another?

2

1

3

4

5

6

Why not add another? Venezuela!

2

1

3

4

5

6

But our story continues in Korea

But our story continues in Korea where Namju attended Yonsei University and majored in journalism.

As a journalist for Yonsei’s English language paper following Korea’s turbulent transition to democracy, Namju inhaled her share of tear gas and dodged flaming Molotov cocktails.

As a journalist for Yonsei’s English language paper following Korea’s turbulent transition to democracy, Namju inhaled her share of tear gas and dodged flaming Molotov cocktails.

You’d think that’d scare the young journalist off from the profession.

As a journalist for Yonsei’s English language paper during Korea’s transition to democracy, Namju saw her share of tear gas and Molotov cocktails.

You’d think that’d scare the young journalist off from the profession.

But not Namju.

She soon enrolled in an exchange program that brought her to

She soon enrolled in an exchange program that brought her to UCLA.

Namju promptly joined Pacific Ties, UCLA’s Asian American Pacific Islander news magazine with impeccable timing.

She found herself trying to give the Korean American community a voice as the Rodney King riots unfolded.

Her studies would bring her back to Korea where she graduated from Yonsei University and began her career in journalism.

She started at the Asian edition of the Wall Street Journal, where she covered the Asian financial crisis of 1997.

But this globetrotter by nature soon found herself

But this globetrotter by nature soon found herself in New York working for Dow Jones Newswires.

And when it was time to move on,

Namju traveled to Massachusetts

And when it was time to move on,

where she attended Harvard University and earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government.

Finally, that brings us to Los Angeles where Namju’s spent the last 9 years working at nonprofit organizations:

Serving as the Communications and Policy Director at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking

Serving as the Communications & Policy Director at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking

And later as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the California Community Foundation.

And despite a full plate Namju still found time to pursue her journalistic interests

as a freelance producer for the local NPR affiliate, KCRW and as a writer for KoreAm Journal and the Korea Times

And that’s when SGA

And that’s when SGA and Namju crossed paths.

And though this world traveler could claim roots anywhere,

And though this world traveler could claim roots anywhere,

it’s Los Angeles that Namju considers the closest thing to home.

What’s home without a family?

What’s home without a family?

SGA is so happy to welcome Namju to our SGA family!

What’s home without a family?

SGA is so happy to welcome Namju to our SGA family!

We hope you’ll get a chance to meet Namju (and be sure to ask her about her travels)!