About VPP Busan

The American Corner Busan Explores American Indian Culture 
September 23, 2004

To mark the opening of the new National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, the American Corner Busan hosted an hour-long storytelling session and Q&A with Cherokee storyteller Gayle Ross. Ms. Ross entertained a dozen guests with the classic tale of the rabbit and the wolf, which demonstrates traditional Cherokee values and beliefs. During the subsequent conversation, audience members expressed their interest in learning more about native cultures and were curious to know the awareness of native cultures among schoolchildren in the United States.

Discussion between Korean high school students and Embassy Seoul intern 
August 20, 2004

Embassy Intern Plans a Successful Program

The American Corner Busan hosted a two-hour discussion between area high school students and Embassy Seoul intern Allison Ji on the process of integrating into American life as a Korean student in the United States. Ms. Ji emigrated to the U.S. as a middle school student and has completed university coursework in the U.S., South Korea and Japan. She spoke candidly about her experiences in each country’s educational system and about student life in American high schools and colleges.

Deputy Director of Korean Affairs Talks on Environmental Issues
July 28, 2004

The American Corner in Busan and Seoul’s Regional Program Office sponsored an afternoon discussion on regional environmental issues in Asia with 12 Busan-area NGO leaders, academics, and public policy planners. Mr. Ted Osius, former Regional Environmental Officer based in Bangkok and incoming Deputy Director of the Office of Korean Affairs, shared his expertise on environmental policies with this small but elite group. During the 90-minute discussion, Mr. Osius was able to shed light on many of the Bush administration’s environmental policies as well as explain the U.S. contributions towards fighting environmental degradation at all levels.

Author Alice Walker Reaches Out to Korean Students, Scholars, and the Public
June 3, 2004

Alice Walker Lecture at American Corner Busan

On June 3, distinguished American author Alice Walker spoke about her life and writings in public lectures co-sponsored by U.S. Embassy Seoul, the American Corner in Busan, and Pusan National University (PNU). The lectures were part of an extended two-week program in Korea, supported by U.S. Embassy Seoul and in cooperation with the feminist organization Iftopia. At the America Corner, Ms. Walker addressed a public audience of 200 men and women, both young and old, all with a shared interest in her works. Ms. Walker focused on the power of non-violence and tolerance in personal life and society. Her talk was followed by a screening of the film, "The Color Purple."

Jazz Ambassadors Jive with Korean Youth
May 25, 2004

The Neighborliness Quartet, Jazz Ambassadors to Korea

The Neighborliness Quartet, Jazz Ambassadors to Korea, introduced audiences in the Busan area to their unique brand of classic contemporary jazz. Performing renditions of jazz classics like Miles Davis' "Summertime" and their own jazzy version of John Lennon's "Instant Karma" mixed with commentary on the development of Jazz music in America, the Jazz Ambassadors opened Korean youth to a new musical style. Over 200 students and faculty turned out for the live outdoor concert at Youngsan. The American Corner Busan co-sponsored an after-school outdoor performance which drew another 200 concert-goers, including many high schoolers.

Lynne Cheney DVC Program Links Korean and American Children at American Corners
April 16, 2004

Lynne Cheney with Elementary School Students

On April 16, Lynne Cheney participated in her first-ever DVC and the first for the American Corners Korea. The DVC linked up 75 third-graders at the USFK Seoul American Elementary School with 70 of their Korean and American counterparts in Busan and Daegu. Mrs. Cheney read excerpts from her books for children and answered questions from students.  In the spirit of cross-culturalism and partnership, U.S. Embassy Seoul worked with the American Corners to recruit Korean students from 15 elementary schools in Busan and Daegu and teamed them with American students from USFK schools in those cities. Following the program, Fulbright ETAs and USFK teachers continued reading the books and discussed U.S. history with the students.

Embassy Seoul Touts Cultural Exchange & American Corners in the Teen Times
March 9, 2004

Assistant Country Program Officer Gabrielle Price contributed an opinion essay on cultural exchange entitled "Getting to Know Yourself Through Other Cultures" to the Teen Times, a weekly English-language newspaper for Korean high school students. The piece, which was a featured story in the March 9 edition, explains the opportunities for cultural exchange offered through the American Corner in Busan and discusses how young people experience a great deal of personal development in the process of studying foreign languages and participating in cross-cultural exchanges.

Seoul Political Counselor Returns to Busan for Security Program Series
March 4, 2004

Minister Counselor of Political Affairs, Eric John, celebrated his twentieth anniversary of serving as Busan’s first American Consul with a series of programs in Korea’s second largest city on March 4. Mr. John held an off-the-record lunch with a distinguished group of nine area journalists to discuss U.S. – Korea relations, including the recently concluded six-party talks and anti-Americanism among Korean youth.  He later gave a public lecture at the American Corner Busan on U.S. – Korea relations to an audience of 50, many of whom were secondary school teachers. He discussed trade, culture, security relations, and democratization and gave specific examples of change based on his personal observations.  Mr. John concluded his day with a lecture and dinner discussion on "U.S.-Korea Relations: Bilateral Relations and the Six-Party Talks" before a group of twenty-five Political Science professors.

Ambassador's Wife Holds First Volunteer Program at the American Corner Busan
February 19, 2004

On February 19, Mrs. Joan Hubbard, wife of Ambassador Thomas C. Hubbard, became the first volunteer at the recently opened American Corner Busan. Mrs. Hubbard's program, called the "Future Leaders' Book Club," gathered a group of 50 area middle school students for a reading of "America’s Promise," a children’s book written by Alma Powell, wife of Secretary of State Colin Powell. Mrs. Hubbard donated the book, signed by the author, to the American Corner. After the book reading, Mrs. Hubbard answered questions about American life posed by the students, including one related to the importance of volunteerism. The program concluded with an orientation to the programs and services offered by the American Corner.

Ambassador Engages Local Educators and Government Officials on Key Education Issues
February 5, 2004

Ambassador Hubbard, accompanied by Mrs. Joan Hubbard (a former educator and educational board member), met with local educators and government officials in Busan to discuss the importance of providing students with accurate information about the United States through books and people-to-people exchange. Ambassador Hubbard highlighted the opening of the American Corner in Busan as an important step in the process, and encouraged program participants to take an active role in promoting educational and cultural exchange. He applauded local initiatives to send elementary school students to the U.S.

First American Corner Opens in Korea
February 5, 2004

Ambassador Thomas Hubbard and Mrs. Joan Hubbard inaugurated Korea's very first American Corner in Busan on February 5, 2004.   About 200 people attended the gala event at the Busan Metropolitan Citizen's Municipal Library, the largest and most extensive public library in Busan, averaging 3,000 patrons daily.