By Yerin Kim |Staff Writer|
Student Charmaine Galley is a frequent listener of Korean music. One day, when she was walking through University Hall, her eyes were caught by a poster sporting, “Korean Culture Club: Sarangbang.”
Galley was excited by the opportunity to learn more about the culture and to meet fellow Korea-philes; she joined the club, and has attended club meetings ever since.
Korean Culture Club: Sarangbang (KCCS) is a cultural exchange organization that introduces Korean culture to the campus community.
A chartered formal club on campus, KCCS is composed of six Korean staff members, Korean Professor Bomi Hwang, and about 25 domestic students—all of whom are passionate about sharing Korean culture with others.
According to advisor Professor Hwang, the main purpose of the club is to encourage Korean students to broaden their communicative scope and help CSUSB’s campus community gain a better understanding of Korean culture.
“In doing so, the club hopes to enable the entire campus community to expand their international perspectives in accordance with our philosophy: that we all influence each other regardless of our different ethnic backgrounds,” said Hwang.
Since Winter quarter, KCCS has provided various activities through regular club meetings and events, allowing students to sample the different aspects of Korean culture, ranging from food, history, and tradition.
Some topics during regular meetings are Korean food, movies, games, the Lunar New Year, and other topics.
Besides club meetings, KCCS members attended a Hanguel-Sarang picnic with Korean language tutors.
Anuar Garcia joined the picnic and mentioned, “The picnic was a great experience.”
“I was able to eat food of a different ethnicity, and there is nothing better than eating with many people from different places around the globe,” added Garcia.
KCCS also participates in many campus events such as the Club Festival and the Homecoming Parade, held last quarter.
At the parade, they won first place among participants. The winning prize? Pizza for all active club members.
KCCS is organizing a campus-wide event, “Korean Festival,” on May 1 with the Korean Student Association (KSA) and Korean language tutors.
There will be traditional Korean food and drinks, traditional dances, instrumental performances, a K-pop band, and dance performances.
What makes students go to KCCS? According to interviews with members, most answered that they knew
Korean culture through K-pop, drama, the study abroad program, or have Korean friends.
“This past summer, I went to Korea, so I want to get back the feeling of my cultural experience,” said Tara Baskerville.
Elizabeth Lomeli said, “I liked some Korean culture I heard from my Korean friend, so I wanted to know more and also to study abroad.”
KCCS members exchange their different cultures and form strong friendships with each other, which helps you enlarge your perspective and opens your eyes to a different side of the world.
“The people in the club are so open. They are willing to answer any questions that you have about Korea,” said Baskerville.
Regular club meetings during Spring quarter will be held on Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. While the location changes weekly, it is announced ahead of time.
For more information, you can contact the club at csusbsarangbang@yahoo.com.
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