“The Heidelberg University Library is the best library in the world.”
Prof. Dr Heyryun Koh, Professor of East Asian Studies and Art History at the University of Würzburg in Würzburg, Germany
Guest Professor at the Heidelberg University Institute of East Asian Art History, May 2017-February 2019
Why did you choose Heidelberg University?
Heidelberg was a familiar work environment for me because I started my dissertation there in 1998 and received my doctorate in 2003. I knew my way around the University Library – which, for me, is the best library in the world! – and knew which books I could use for my research project. In addition, I was excited to visit the shops and used bookstores, in streets of the Old Town along the Neckar and on Plöck. I always enjoy revisiting the places that are part my life story.
What did you like best about Heidelberg University? What are some growth areas?
The University Welcome Centre staff were very nice and accommodating during the beginning of my stay in Heidelberg. However, it was quite difficult to find a room in Heidelberg in time.
How has your career trajectory developed since your time in Heidelberg?
After my guest professorship, I was able to draft a book manuscript about German newspaper articles on Korean relations that came out of the research I conducted while in Heidelberg. I am planning to publish an English language version of this book in 2021. A second book on colonial-era Korean travel stories came out of my research stay and is currently in editing with my publisher.
Furthermore, I secured a position as a professor with the newly-established “Koreanicum”, a Korean Studies Center with the Chinese Studies department, at the University of Würzburg and have been working there since winter semester 2019-20. The Koreanicum is funded by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and consists of language courses and events on Korea’s cultural history and modern Korea. It was a stroke of luck for me that I could hold a seminar on Korean art history in Heidelberg during summer semester 2018 and again in winter semester 2018-19 in Würzburg. The seminar seems to have sparked a real interest in the students in Würzburg!
How would you compare the German academic system to that of your homeland or other countries where you have conducted research?
In the German model, it is important to teach the traditional principles of science and research conscientiously, and it is important for international students to focus on learning the national language. With this foundation, students are expected to analyze and interpret their fundamental knowledge and can work much more independently than in Korea.
One disadvantage I see with this approach, at least in my area, is that the field can be too slow to incorporate new information. I attended a conference last year at the Humboldt Forum for our Korean department, and a discussion on Korean history was based on an 19th century German text that had been published in Japan.
How important is the international exchange for scientists and researchers?
It is very important because articles published in a researcher’s home country are in their native language. During an exchange, one experiences what others are researching, for example, in Korean art history. As a visiting professor at Heidelberg University, I gave talks in Würzburg, Tübingen and Berlin
