[JSRC 학생기자] Spring comes in Korea as well as US

Spring comes in Korea as well as US

Theses day, lots of news are broadcasted in Korea Media about alarming coming spring. On the Yeouido, lots of people go to see cherry blossom. That is the most Korean Americans and exchanged student missed to see.

Sun Young Park, junior, marketing, Iowa State University, 26, said “Iowa is always winter. Here is really cold everyday even on May. One of the most missed things is Korean Cherry blossom during this season. I see lots of image that posted on Facebook that my Korean friend posted. It is the only way I could see.”
However, in San Francisco, The 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday April 9-10 and April 16-17, 2016
This festival was 49th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. Japanese group, Japanese American business and community leader sponsored this festival.
The goal of festival was to celebrate beginning of spring with the bloom of Cherry blossoms and share Japanese culture and tradition to people.

All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture in San Francisco’s Japan town!
On April 9th, there were lots of food events in street. They Cherry Blossom Food Bazaar provide Japanese food on the street during the festival period. There was lost of Japanese food such as sushi, onigiri (Rice ball), mocha, and drink, which were prepared by non-profit organization in Japanese community. People could enjoy their meal in benches or tables. About 30 non-profit organizations supported food providing on Webster Street between Post and Sutter form 11.am to 5.pm.
On Webster street, Japanese idol and band were comes to performance. On the street, there was dressed up participants who wear their favorite animation character and walk through the street.
In Japan town building, there was some ceremony to introduce their culture such as arts&crafts, origami, material arts, and tea ceremony.
The Cherry Blossom festival Grand Parade was held on Sunday, April 17. Japanese dancers and decorative floats were on the parade. In the parade, taiko, drum, and koto, Japanese harp was performed.
The atmosphere in Japan town is similar to a real Japan. Lots of people tried lots of Japanese food and culture just going around the Japanese town.
If Korea also creates those kinds of events such as rose of Sharon festival in the US, it could be great chance to inform Korea traditional culture and traditions to American.

Enjoy the Taste of World at International Food Fair

The 10th annual International Food Festival was held at Rockford University on April 16. A wide variety of international dishes were prepared by international students with the sponsors of the Multicultural Club and the Office of Global Affairs. A number of people in Rockford area attended the fair and had a joyful time.
Various authentic recipes were prepared from more than 25 countries including Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Philippines, Sweden, Turkey, Syria, Italy, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Liberia, Mexico, Bosnia and so on. Members from the Multicultural Club prepared foods, and visitors were to taste home cooked meals from many different countries. Bulgogi, a Korean traditional dish of grilled marinated beef, was one of the most popular dishes at the fair. Prema Wang, a Chinese student at Rockford Lutheran High School, said, “I really loved Bulgogi. I remember I had it last year when I visited Korea, and I’m really glad I could have it again at this festival.”
International entertainment was prepared as well. Guests could enjoy various activities and performances while eating. After the fashion show of traditional clothing from different countries, traditional songs and dances were performed as follows: Seven Star Lion dance of China, German dance, Aztec performance, Hawaiian dance, Turkish traditional folk dance and Ebru, and Monarcas Folklorico ballet. During the events, some visitors actually were to perform which was unplanned; one of the guests improvised an Irish song and received an applause.
With the taste of the world, the International Food Fair brought everyone become one no matter who they are and where they are from. Learning different cultures and traditions, everyone at the festival hoped a better, peaceful world through this event.

GBS Key Club holds “Keep The Band Aloat”

On April 29th, Glenbrook South Key Club is holding a big fundraising celebration called “Keep The Band Afloat.” It is aimed at raising money and benefiting students at a local underprivileged elementary school, Mark Twain Elementary, in Chicago. The students in Mark Twain Elementary even share their clarinets due to the lack of instruments. GBS Key Club has been doing many jobs in serving their community: reading books and eating lunch with kids, fundraising for people who need help, running soup kitchens, and spending time with disabilities and seniors. According to the event’s goal, it takes five-dollars to sign up for Keep The Band Afloat. Students who signed up for the event will construct cardboard boats and race them across the pool. Students are allowed to form their own teams with friends, and they will choose a team member to put in the boat after construction is done. The winning team will receive awards and trophies.