Gwangju International Center

GIC Talk is a weekly English talk program developed for intercultural communication and understanding among local Korean citizens with international residents in Gwangju. The program started in September 2003 with only a few participants. Nowadays, dozens of Koreans and international residents take part in the Talk Program, with focus concentrating on a different topic each week. These include world cultures, social issues, history, lifestyles, political issues, speakers' experience and other areas of interest.

Community Space for Koreans and International Residents

This community space for Koreans and international residents take place on weekends. Most presenters are international residents in Gwangju, but other influential people, such as international ambassadors and representatives of NGOs or NPOs, are also invited to give a talk. Each lecture is followed by a Q&A time where people can ask the presenter questions and exchange their ideas freely. The community space allows those who attend opportunities to be more globally aware.

Program Operation

Despite not having a program budget, GIC Talk is possible thanks to local and international residents sharing their time, knowledge, and experiences. Our appreciation also goes to GIC volunteers who host, document and review the event.

[September 7]

- The 12th Gwangju Freecycle

September 7th. 15:00~17:00 @ GIC Hall

The Gwangju Freecycle(Free+ Recycle) was created on January 2014 by a volunteer, Lianne Bronzo. Since then, for every March and September, this community event takes place at the GIC. For one month before the event, community members donated their gently used items while volunteers sorted and organized them. The aims of Gwangju Freecycle are 1) to reduce waste through reuse and recycle, and 2) to promote gifting community through generosity. For this year, the 1,000 won entrance fee and proceedings from the auction will be used for postages for sending books to Akadot Comprehensive School in Uganda through Builders and Brainchild.

[September 14]

No Talk

- Chuseok Holiday (Korean Thanksgiving)

[September 21]

▶Title: Jane Austen: An Unexpected Life

▶Speaker: Rachel Brown St.John

A look at how the daughter of an impoverished country curate became one of our most beloved novelists and reshaped the way women were portrayed in fiction.

[September 28]

▶Title: “Be the Change Project; Judgments”

▶Speaker: Dana Han

When you hear a judgment about yourself, what is your first reaction? Do you want to fight back or do you feel like a victim?

When you judge someone else, how do you feel afterwards? Is there satisfaction or guilt?

Why do we judge? What are the messages behind judgments?

You are invited to explore the meaning, the purpose, the harm and the benefits of having judgments.

Let's play with this uncomfortable topic and learn some skills to approach our own judgments as well as of others' in a constructive way.

Hope to see you soon!