Distinguished guests highlight annual Korean Culture Festival

Bloomfield College students, staff, and a trio of very special guests came together on Sept. 30 to pay tribute to one of the world’s most fascinating cultures, as the institution’s Global Internship and Math and Science Teacher’s programs held their sixth-annual Korean Culture Festival on the campus grounds.

The midday celebration welcomed three distinguished participants, as Korean Ambassador Son Se-Joo (the Korean Consul General), Korean Education Center director Hi-Dong Park and Bloomfield Mayor Raymond J. McCarthy joined in the festivities as the day’s Guests of Honor. With a rapidly expanding international student population and over 60 students hailing from Korea, the group joined in the afternoon’s events to help honor an institution in Bloomfield College that is committed to international education initiatives.

“This is an excellent event that allows Korean students to educate others about their culture, ” Se-Joo said of the Festival. “Bloomfield College is doing a wonderful job of providing international students with educational opportunities in America, and giving them the chance to participate in events like this on the campus.”

Festival patrons were treated to authentic Korean cuisines, as well as six performances that included a traditional Korean wedding ceremony, and Tai-Kwando and Korean pop music (K-pop) acts. All food and performances were prepared and performed by Bloomfield College students who hail from the highlighted nation.

Nearly 400 members of the Bloomfield College and Bloomfield Township communities took part in the festivities, with 30 students from neighboring Bloomfield High School attending the event as a class field trip.

“Each year our Festival grows to a new level, and we saw that again this year with Ambassador Son, Director Park, Mayor McCarthy and seven media organizations joining us, ” vice president of global affairs and professional studies Dr. Peter Jeong said.

“It truly gives our students a chance to convene their culture to American people. The day furthers our College’s mission by providing our students and the surrounding community with a hands-on multicultural experience, something we as an institution take great pride in. We thank everyone for attending, and we look forward to a seventh event in 2014.”