A Time to Reflect on Myself before Returning Home

As I write the final blog post of this semester, I would like to look back on what I learned through this course. When I first chose this course, I wanted to understand the media landscape in Germany—specifically Munich—and how it differs from that of Korea. Furthermore, as a person aspiring to work as a journalist or within the media industry, I wanted to know what values ​​I should uphold when entering this field. Through four excursions, classes, and presentations by other students, I believe I have found the answers I was looking for.

While preparing our team presentation on streaming, I discovered that German public broadcasting enjoys remarkably high levels of public trust and viewership. In an era dominated by global giants like Netflix and Disney+, the fact that they have managed to maintain such trust came as a pleasant surprise to me. This stands in contrast to the trend in Korea, where public trust and favorability toward public broadcasters have been steadily declining—particularly since the start of the 2020s. Korean viewers are increasingly shifting away from public broadcasting in favor of global platforms or domestic streaming services. While higher overall television viewership in Germany may play a role, I view their ability to produce trustworthy, independent broadcasting that rivals the content of global giants as an exemplary model. 

Voices for Social Minorities

A common thread running through my four excursions was that each organization was committed to its own independence and core values. For the most part, these groups operated without external funding or alliances—sometimes even on a voluntary basis—yet every worker and staff member I met spoke of their dreams and aspirations with eyes full of genuine passion. They share and promote the content they create through various media outlets such as radio, YouTube, and Instagram, and in the process, they never fail to consider social issues and minorities. In particular, when discussing social issues or minorities, they are sometimes viewed with a condescending gaze; however, it was impressive that various media outlets in Munich did not adopt such an attitude, but instead viewed them as natural members of our society. In my own experience writing news articles or covering related topics, I have sometimes inadvertently made the mistake of framing minority groups as existing outside the bounds of societal “normality,” even when I initially set out to portray them as members of our community. Reflecting on this, the inclusive approach of the media in Germany and Munich—which strives to leave no one out—offered me valuable lessons.

Returning to my home, the path I will pursue in the future

Through this course, I was able to determine the values ​​I want to pursue—both in my personal life and in my future career. In particular, since the class consisted of exchange students from various countries, it was a valuable time where we could listen to and share stories from diverse friends around the world, rather than just covering Munich’s media from a specific perspective. The ten months I spent here—from last September to this July—were a time of meeting diverse people and gaining profound insights unlike anything I had experienced before, all while living in Munich, a place vastly different from my hometown. Now, armed with these realizations, it is time for me to return home, and I am committed to holding onto the values ​​and lessons I learned here. While I am not yet certain exactly what work I will do upon my return, I want to continue meeting diverse people, listening to their stories, and sharing them with the world. I aspire to be someone who always acts faster than anyone else for those who need a voice, wherever they may be!