Ambassador of the Fields: Working on the Farm #1


Why I Prefer the Farm to the Office



As an ambassador serving on two different advisory committees for Jeju Island
- Foreign Affairs and Youth Policy -
I have a fair amount of "office work" that I need to do.
However, I much prefer going outside and helping the local farmers. 

Why is that?


Well, for starters, it just nice to go out and enjoy the Jeju weather.
It's a beautiful island with gorgeous sights all around, so just going outside if fantastic.
Working outside is also good for your mental and physical health.
Be sure to get out as much as you can!


But more importantly than just pretty scenery and fresh air

Being a young farmer in Jeju gives me something to be proud of.

At the end of the day, I can SEE what I got done.
I can be proud of what I accomplished in just a matter of hours.

I can KNOW that I helped someone and see the smile on their face afterwards.

It is so unbelievably rewarding to see how happy the farmers are when we finish working.
It makes me happy knowing that I am directly offering my help and support.


Often times, our happiest moments are found in the most unexpected of places.
Brief moments that pass: a laugh, a smile, a quick photo.
ALL of these are much more abundant during my work in the fields.
I can chat with the farmers, share lunch with them, even take photos together.


Actually going out and spending time with the people of Jeju is the best way for me to know what they really need - to know their lives.

This is why it is SO important to me and so enjoyable for me to go out and do farm work.
As much as I can make change while proposing policies at meetings,
I can make much more of a direct and immediate impact when I go help the farmers.

Why is that so important?


Jeju Island has an aging population.
This means the majority of citizens there are middle-aged or older.
Fewer and fewer young people are staying on the island.
And very few mainland youths come here for more than just a vacation.
Farmers here tend to be much older.
It's not uncommon to see 60-year-old women taking a lunch break from their harvesting.

So, the more we can involve youths in Jeju agriculture, the better!

One way I am helping with that is with the 

Jeju Youth Farmers program!

It's a simple working holiday program where we get young people
- Koreans and foreigners -
and we go out and help the Jeju farmers.
It's a great way to get involved, support the locals, and even make some money.


We are also teaming up with local schools to get more people involved.
Different projects like SMART farming are some of the ideas we are working on.
Our goal remains the same regardless:
to help the local farmers and make their livelihoods easier. 


Once I learn what the farmers need and create ideas on how to help them, I can make better proposals to the different ambassadorial committees that I am a part of.

Only once I have lived the farmers lives - done their jobs - can I truly help them.

And THAT is what makes the farm work truly enjoyable.


Sound like fun? Consider joining us!

Our Jeju Young Farmers program is always open to new participants.
Let's help the Jeju farmers together and share the pride of success together!

For more information on the Jeju Youth Farmers program and our other activities,
please check out our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts!
FB:Global Jeju Culture Co-op FB:Korea Working Holiday
@globaljc_coop @jeju_young_farmers @workinghollyday

Welcome to Jeju - let's get farming! 

^_^







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