Nowadays, there are many programs in which Keimyung students can learn English. Among them, the Gazette wants to introduce the Korean American Friendship Circle (KAFC). KAFC is different from other programs. Students can use English and experience American culture with Korean families, US families, and other students.

1. What is KAFC?

KAFC stands for Korean American Friendship Circle. It is a program for exchanging culture between Koreans and Americans. Sponsors from the US Army in Camp Walker and Korean families and 6 or 7 students from universities in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do become one team. The main goal of the program is to make friends and understand each other by exchanging each other’s culture. Most of the activities are left to the teams, so each team does the activities which the team wants to do or the cultural activities that each member wants to introduce. There are several activities such as bowling, watching baseball games, and going on a trip with team members. Also, important days like Saint Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are big events for all teams, so everybody gathers together on these big days. By doing these kinds of activities, Korean students can have a broad understanding of American culture and a good opportunity to learn English. Students also can get used to using English by enjoying the activities in English. The Participants can understand each other by experiencing the others’ culture.

This program is helpful to students. Students are of various ages, and they can get lots of advice from Korean or US families. Also, by becoming a team with other students, their personal connections can be extended and students can be helpful to each other. Moreover, students can get advice about their field and get some help from the Korean and American families. Like these, this program has many benefits for students.
2. Recruitment of KAFC

KAFC recruits students twice a year. It means one session lasts about one semester. For example, in 2013, the first semester is the 19th KAFC and the second semester will be the 20th KAFC. The activities are a little different every semester. Also, students who participate in KAFC can’t participate again, so it is a good idea to think about which semester you want to participate in.
3. How to become a member of KAFC

KAFC’s process of selection is similar to other programs. Students fill out the application and submit the application to their universities. Applications have both Korean and English sections, so students have to fill out both of them. After passing the paper criterion for selection, students do an interview. The interview also has a Korean interview and an English interview. The interviewers are representatives of Korean and American sponsors who are participating in KAFC. While these students are interviewing, the other students remain in the waiting room and have to write an essay. The essay is different in every session, and nobody knows what kind of essay will be given to them. After finishing the interview and the assessment, students who are selected for KAFC are contacted individually.

Before starting activities, students participate in orientation. The orientation introduces KAFC and some rules that students should know. Then, the teams and team members are announced. Everybody’s first event is the opening ceremony. At the opening ceremony, students can meet their team members, Korean families, and US families. The team members could be various ages and different universities or one university’s students could be in one team. The activities after this depend on the team’s decision.
4. Interview with Ko Jin-gyu (student representative of the 18th KAFC).

How would you describe the Korean American Friendship Circle?

It’s “We go together!” At KAFC’s opening and closing ceremonies, we toasted and said “We go together!” in English and in Korean. This expression is used in KAFC events as well as at important meetings like at the ROK-US Combined Forces Command. KAFC is a program to enhance mutual understanding and cultural exchange. There are many meaningful events and long lasting memories. Therefore, I would like to express KAFC in the words “We go together!”

What was the most memorable event in KAFC?

The most memorable event was “Tour of Homes.” This is an event in which people can visit American homes decorated for Christmas in Camp Walker. We visited our American sponsor Colonel. John Chadbourne. The most surprising part was Colonelbourne made cookies himself and gave the cookies to us. They were really delicious. We experienced more about their culture that day.

What differences did you feel between Koreans and Americans through this program?

First, they try to preserve their culture. They always take holidays such as Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving Day. Second, they have high interest in Korean culture. For example, American families made songpyeon together, and during the temple stay, they tried bowing with monks. The high interest in our culture is so thankful and unexpected. American families do not just work in Korea. They really try to learn our culture.

Could you give some advice to current KAFC students or students who want to do KAFC?

I want KAFC students to practice good etiquette. I also hope student participate in this program passionately. If you take part in events and design good group activities, you can feel a sense of accomplishment. Students can be proud of participating in KAFC. I hope students think that they are student ambassadors. I sincerely hope all of us can say “We go together!”
5. Interview with Kim Bum-dae (representative of the Korean American Friendship Circle).

Which event shows the characteristics of KAFC?

During the 16th KAFC, former Commanding General Paul C. Hurley opened his house for St. Patrick’s Day in spring and a tailgate party in autumn. It was impressive. It is not easy to open his official residence, but he opened it and had conversations with students. KAFC students realized the real meaning of cultural exchange.

Who were the most memorable Korean student and American sponsor?

It is Chu Hyeon-ho, who was the student representative of the 13th KAFC. I am still in contact with him, and I even officiated at his wedding in 2010. KAFC was a big influence to him, and now he influences other students in KAFC. Recently, he created KAFC alumni with me. Also, I remember Colonel John Chadbourne, who is co-president of KAFC and has been my partner for 3 years. He has a lot of affection toward Korean students, and he has lots of good points that students can learn from. He has played a major role in improving KAFC.

What attributes do students require for KAFC?

I think the most basic elements for students are patriotism and volunteer spirit. It is hard to exchange culture with other countries without understanding our own country. Also, students should learn strong volunteer spirit from Korean and American sponsors.

Could you give some advice to students who want to participate in KAFC?

KAFC is not a program for just meeting and hanging out with foreigners. This is a program in which people from various ages and backgrounds exchange culture. Also, there are many good Korean and American sponsors who can mentor students. If students participate with passion and sincerity in this program, they can experience culture, and have a good opportunity to develop themselves. I hope many students participate in KAFC.


We hope our brief introduction of KAFC and the selection process is helpful to students. Also, we hope students apply for KAFC from reading the experiences of Ko Jin-gyu (student representative of the 18th KAFC) and the words of Kim Bum-dae (representative of the Korean American Friendship Circle).