CEAS Supports Cultural Activities for EALC Korean Language Program

Published on May 13, 2023 

The Center for East Asian Studies recently supported activities organized by the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations Korean Language Program during the month of April including the 4th Midwest Korean Speech Contest, along with a field trip which included a visit to the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago.

The Speech Content, which took place on Saturday, April 1st, was held at Northwestern University in Evanston.  The following University of Chicago students participated as contestants with two students being a recipient of the Excellence Award:

- Sami Feinberg (Beginning) - Excellence Award recipient 

- Charles Benello (Intermediate) 

- Will Robertson (Advanced) - Excellence Award recipient 

The contest also showcased the University of Chicago dance team, the neXus Dance Collective.  This group aims to connect people through their love of Korean pop music and dance.  neXus dancers dance to and perform to K-pop dances and are a no-cut dance group with a video crew and styling team.  

On April 29, Korean language instructors Jieun Kim (Program Director), Won-Kyung Na, and Rachel Bahng took students to visit the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago in Wheeling, Illinois.  Students participated in cultural activities including a gallery tour, museum tour, and the hanbok experience program where students had the opportunity to try on traditional Korean clothing with various hats and hair accessories.  The trip ended with shopping for Korean products at Joong Boo Market in Glenview, Illinois, and partaking in Korean food at the market's food court.

Contributed by Won-Kyung Na