#gachon

Some old oc doodles I'm working on in my free time :3

♧☆♧

As I've mentioned before, ive been putting together a world for my characters to live in recently, a silly place called Gachon. A place full of possibly, too much color, and too much life✨️🌿

Its been a real effort to pull out my VERY OLD childhood ocs, from my junky ass mind Cabinet. Making a place for each character in gachon, has inspired me to also involve my childhood characters. As a sort of self challenge, I suppose? And to make kid me happy

Eskura was a beloved character of mine for many years back when I used to rp with a group of other dorks in JR high lmao.

And honestly I DO NOT remember the shinx's name, they were also a character I used in an rp group as a teen 💀💀💀 though I've given both a fresh coat of paint, I made sure they'd still be recognizable to those who knew em :3 I hope to give them a new life in gachon, who knows maybe they'll even end up friends if they live in the same zone

☆♧☆

Also for anyone questioning the worlds name, it'll make sense later :3c world map of sorts coming soon!

As well as a very snazzy (if I do say so myself) panphlet page thingy explaining the first zone you guys will get to learn about/the first decent chunk of information that I'll drop In general in regards to gachon.

But I will say, childhood ocs that pertain to a franchise (homestuck, wc, ect.) have essentially been torn from their original lore. they know vaugley of it, mainly from dreams they never fully remember nor understand. But basically thats why Eskura will still type with a writing quirk and use terms their neighbors don't know. They do not have access to any of the game constructs from their story, but will refrence them at times!

by Karen M. Andrews

Last week, our Spring ‘17 group travelled to AT&T Park to see the San Francisco Giants play the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For most Westmont students, this was their first Giants game. For our South Korean students, this was their first American baseball game.

Gachon students were surprised by the contrasts between American and South Korean baseball. South Korea also has a baseball team called the Giants (The Lotte Giants), and it’s a popular team. But that’s where the similarities seem to end. 

The fan experience at a Korean baseball game is completely different. Some have called Korean baseball the “wildest, most outlandish league in the world.”

Baseball games in South Korea are exciting, loud events, where the entire crowd sings and joins in all the cheers. And, yes, they have official cheerleaders. 

Here’s a link to a video clip from a Sansome Lions’ game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO4919ubFno&feature=youtu.be

Although the Gachon students were disappointed by the subdued crowds that night, we still had a great time hanging out together at the ballpark. 

The Korean students have decided to give American baseball another chance. After all, it was only the second game of the season; it was raining; and the Giants lost.

They plan to return to AT&T park on Monday, April 24th, when the SF Giants will play the LA Dodgers. Gachon students are especially excited to root for the South Korean pitcher, Hyun-Jin Ryu.

by Karen M. Andrews

Our Westmont and Gachon students delight in their daily cross-cultural exchanges. The occasional, inevitable misunderstanding often leads to warm-hearted laughter once students acknowledge the misinterpretation and take cultural differences into account. Both Gachon and Westmont students would agree that sharing life together has been a major highlight of their semester.

Our Spring ‘17 “pop-up portraits” continue with this post, which features four more of our Gachon University students:

Brian, Wayne, Philip, and Harry

Sang Jun (Brian) Kim

Photo credit, Jordan Bishop

Brian works as a marketer for Not For Sale, an organization that provides educational programs and employment opportunities for people who have been trafficked.

In addition to research and marketing, Brian attends conferences, contributes his ideas, and assists the organization in finding partners and donors.

Brian has also created flyers and other Public Relations materials:

I feel good when my work is used for the company's business. And I am proud when my ideas become the company's next business model.

What has Brian most enjoyed about living and working in San Francisco?

San Francisco is a place where you can meet many people. At a café, you can meet someone you do not know for the first time and talk for hours. This is a culture that respects the unique and diverse personality.

Brian also appreciates how “the city encourages people to ride bicycles” by providing bike lanes throughout the city.

Along with his Gachon classmates, Brian values the experience of attending “Meet-ups” with others in the city who share common interests:

If you want to quickly get to know and socialize with San Francisco and American culture, I recommend finding Meet-Ups.

Yet a significant question keeps coming up for Brian:

Why are there so many people begging in the most expensive land in the United States?

Wan Ho (Philip) Song

Photo credit, Jordan Bishop

Philip works with Just Business, a business investing in social change.

At Just Business, Philip networks with Korean start-up companies in San Francisco and also investigates new business models:

It’s exciting to network with a successful Korean entrepreneur in San Francisco and to enlarge my insights about IT business.

Reflecting on differences between working here and at home in Korea, Philip says:

San Francisco has a free atmosphere compared with a Korean Company.

In addition, racial diversity in the workplace is different from Korea.

As we are mostly only one race, diversity is not common to me.

What has been most fun for Philip this semester?

I will never forget my skydiving experience. It was really awesome.

Jae Ho (Wayne) Lee

Photo credit, Jordan Bishop

Wayne works with Outdoorsie, an organization that connects people to outdoor activities in the Bay Area.

At Outdoorsie, Wayne primarily helps with “Consumer Relationship Management.” He finds new customers and is “constantly striving to maintain a good relationship between our customers and our company.”

Wayne appreciates the responsibility he has been given at this flexible start-up, and he feels he’s been able to make a contribution:

Because it is a small start-up, one role is very important and it affects everything else.

Although he is still learning, Wayne confidently says:

 I can gain trust just by showing my effort.

What has Wayne most enjoyed about his semester in San Francisco?

I like the weather. People are friendly. Best of all, the peaceful atmosphere. This is something that is difficult to explain.

Jung Soo (Harry) Kim

Photo credit, Jordan Bishop

Harry works at Linden & Company, a web design and consulting company.

At L&C, Harry is “primarily responsible for providing creative design,” and he also helps with marketing.

A highlight for Harry has been learning how to create his own webpage.

It is a rewarding and interesting experience because it is a realization of my own ability.

Harry desires to learn how to do many things very well. He’s happy that “web design is one of them.”  

I am confident that the ability to create my own homepage will be of great help to me.

By observing the life of the start-up over the past four months, Harry has been learning what he might apply when he creates his own company:

Since I was young, my dream was to be a CEO.

Harry also appreciates our cross-cultural community here in San Francisco:  

I am happy to live with good people in such a good place.

“Every story of success is a story of community” - Jeff Goins Written by Karen M. Andrews; Photos by Kristen Leichty and Taylor Woods (Westmont College)

San Francisco may be a culinary capital, but students rarely miss one of our weekly Community Dinners.

Each Tuesday students prepare delicious, wholesome meals together – usually in pairs or small groups –  for the rest of the “WSF Family.”  Everyone looks forward to these creative collaborations, even our most discerning foodies.

Why are community dinners important? 

Making a meal together shows how we care for one another, strengthening and deepening relationships within the Clunie House and among students and staff.

Making a meal together is a form of creative work, bringing together individual talent, vision, and the wider community, including our occasional guests. The students become more community-minded while gaining confidence and independence. 

What do students actually do to create a Community Dinner?

First the cooking team chooses and plans the meal. They familiarize themselves with the preparation and necessary ingredients for their selected dishes. Students then inform our staff of the ingredients they will need for their meal. WSF staff provides the groceries for community meals, and the cooking team does everything else: preparation, serving, sharing, and cleaning up! As you can see, our community dinners provide opportunities for students to take on more responsibilities, helping prepare them for Life After College.

Our most recent community dinner (Tuesday, October 4th) featured skewers of grilled meat and vegetables, with side dishes of savory rice. Anders Espegren of Westmont and Roy (Ilhan) Bang of Gachon University, were the primary chefs, supported by an able team of enthusiastic Gachon students.

Enjoy our photos of this memorable meal!