Bridging cultures through diplomacy: UCC Alumni spotlight Daniel Linehan

23 Apr 2025

• MA in Asian Studies and Bachelor of Arts graduate Daniel Linehan now works as Diplomatic Assistant in Public Diplomacy and External Relations at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland.
• Daniel shares insights into his experience on the MA in Asian Studies programme and his journey into a career in international diplomacy.

Daniel Linehan, a graduate of the MA in Asian Studies and Bachelor of Arts – History and Politics at University College Cork, has turned his academic passion into an impactful diplomatic career.

Now working at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland, Daniel plays a key role in promoting cultural exchange and strengthening ties between Korea and Ireland.

In this UCC Alumni Spotlight, Daniel shares how his time in the MA in Asian Studies programme shaped his academic interests, supported his career ambitions, and led to a rewarding role in international diplomacy.

“The MA in Asian Studies program provided me with the essential tools and knowledge to take the first step in my chosen career path of working in Foreign Affairs,” Daniel said.

During his time at UCC, Daniel gained a comprehensive understanding of Asian countries with the opportunity to focus on what mattered most to him. His MA dissertation explored the history of feminism in South Korea, a subject he describes as both personally meaningful and academically enriching.

“The course offered a deep and comprehensive understanding of several Asian countries while also allowing me to pursue my passion for the Korean language and my MA Dissertation focused on the history of Feminism in South Korea,” he said.

“Studying for my master’s at UCC played a crucial role in my personal and professional growth. All the members of the academic staff were wonderful to learn from and were always encouraging in helping me get on to my chosen career path.”

Shortly after graduating, Daniel’s academic focus and language skills opened the door to a position at the Korean Embassy in Ireland, where he now serves as a Diplomatic Assistant in Public Diplomacy and External Relations.

In this role, Daniel leads a range of initiatives to foster cultural exchange. He facilitates access to prestigious Korean scholarships for Irish students, manages public diplomacy efforts, and has helped to bring Korean culture to new audiences across Ireland.

“Some of my key projects include facilitating opportunities for Irish students to obtain the highly sought-after GKS scholarship to study at Korean universities, as well as organizing and managing cultural events across Ireland. These have ranged from holding Ireland’s first Korean Art exhibition to KBS K-pop Dance Festivals, along with organising Korean musical concerts, Taekwondo competitions, and initiatives promoting the Korean language and culture throughout Ireland.”

Daniel also works closely with government institutions, helping to strengthen diplomatic and cultural cooperation between the two nations.

“My role also involves liaising between the embassy and government institutions to strengthen diplomatic and cultural cooperation, fostering greater engagement and understanding between the governments of Korea and Ireland,” he explains. “This journey has been both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling, allowing me to actively contribute to strengthening the cultural bridge between our two countries.”

Discover diverse career pathways with a MA in Asian Studies

The MA in Asian Studies is designed to meet the different needs of a range of graduates with diverse interests in Asian Studies, Cultural Studies and International Relations. UCC offers a range of taught modules in Asian Studies across several disciplines – including politics, history, economics, business, culture, religion, literature, and linguistics including the option to spend a further study period in Asia.

Learn more about the MA in Asian Studies at UCC and how it can support your career in international relations, diplomacy, and cross-cultural engagement. Visit the programme page.