Student Activities

KGK: East Asian Studies Undergraduate Students' Association

KGK stand for Kanpai, Ganbei, Konbae or "cheers" in all three of the East Asian languages (Japanese, Chinese and Korean). The KGK is a departmental association that acts as a liaison between the Department of East Asian Studies and the students within the department. It also provides support for the students in East Asian Studies and hosts social events to create a fun, welcoming environment between all disciplines.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at: kgk@ualberta.ca and we will be happy to assist you!

To participate in meetings, stay up to date with department events, guest speakers, study abroad opportunities, and other East Asia related information, please like, follow or join us on any of our socials in our Linktree.

Executives:

Jaden Ho - President

Hello everyone! My name is Jaden Ho (he/him), I am in my third year majoring in East Asian Studies, and I will be your KGK president this year! From anime to K-Pop to Chinese food, I have always loved East Asian culture as it has always played an integral role in my life and identity. It is my hope to share the same joys I have experienced through the various facets of East Asian culture with anyone and everyone, whether you are well-versed or new to it! My goal is to help KGK thrive this year through various initiatives with even more members, even bigger events, and even more fun! I look forward to meeting you all and will be in your care!

大家好！我是担任今年KGK社长的何耀祖，是东亚研究专业的大三学生。我从小就喜欢看日本动画、听K-POP、吃中餐，对和东亚文化有关的东西很有兴趣，从中获得了很多乐趣。在此我想和大家分享这份快乐和我的一些经历。希望KGK能在今年拥有更多的成员、有更多更好的活动。我很期待能够认识大家。请大家多多关照！

皆さん、初めまして！私は今年のKGK会長の翡翠と申します。私はアシア研究を勉強の三年生です。子供の時から、アニメを見たり、K-POPを聞いたり、中国のおいしいものを食べたり、することが好きです。私はいつもアシアの文化が大好きで、たくさん興味があります。だから、皆さんとこの喜びを分かち合うために、たくさんの会員とより大きなイベントを楽しみたいです！よろしくお願いします！

 

여러분, 안녕하세요! 저는 이변년 KGK의 회장 재영입니다. 저는 동아시아학을 공부하는 삼학년이에요. 어렸을 때부터 아니메를 보고 K-POP을 들었어고 중국 음식을 좋아해요. 저는 동아시아의 문화의 너무 좋아하고 관심이 있어요. 그래서, 여러분하고 이 기쁨을 나누고 싶어서 많은 학생들이 가입하고 같이 재밌은 이벤트를 즐겁게 보낼 수 있으면 좋겠어요! 반갑습니다!

Katie Lu - VP External

My name is Katie Lu and I am this year's VP Internal. I'm in my fourth year as a business student majoring in MIS. Last year I was the association's co-president, so this year I hope to continue supporting EASIA students and the department through our activities!

Rei Shaw - VP Internal

Hi I’m Rei (she/her) the VP internal and going into my fourth year of East Asian Studies. I have interest in girls and women’s literature from the Taisho Era, and modern shojo/josei media. Something I really want to research the ways that queer and neurodiverse archetypes might be portrayed in media, and the ways fans with those identities relate to it. I joined KGK’s executive because it was a role that needed to be filled, and I hope it will provide some good networking opportunities as well. I’ve completed Japanese 302, but don’t have the required mark for 401, so I also hope to improve my Japanese so I can challenge the placement test, again, and complete the translation certificate. これからもよろしくお願いします。 

Imogen Maelstrom - VP Chinese Studies

Hello, my name is Imogen (Gin for short). I’m in my third year, majoring in English and minoring in Film Studies, and will be this year's VP Chinese Studies. Learning about the Chinese language and culture has been an interest of mine for a long time, so I look forward to nurturing an encouraging environment where students can practice their skills and use what they’ve learned in their studies. I look forward to seeing people at the Chinese Conversation Club meetings!  

Hue Hoang - AVP Chinese Studies

大家好！Hi everyone, I’m Hue (pronounced Hway) and I’m this year’s AVP Chinese Studies! I’m in the final year of my BA-After Degree majoring in East Asian Studies, with a China focus. The Department of East Asian Studies and KGK holds a special place in my heart since my first BSc (minored in Japanese Studies!) many years ago and it has given me lifelong friendships, joyful memories and many stories to tell. I hope to continue this legacy of sharing the love of East Asian culture and languages as well as building up our community! I look forward to working with everyone in the upcoming year! 

Sanad Masannat - VP Japanese Studies

Hello everyone, my name is Sanad Masannat and I am this years VP of Japanese Studies. I am in my 4th year of Computing Science Specialization and have taken up learning Japanese alongside my degree. I chose to run for the VP of Japanese studies to further improve my Japanese and get to work with many individuals who share similar interest in East Asia. It also allows me to help people who want to learn more about Japan and East Asian culture a safe space to learn and meet others. My major goal this year is to not only have fun alongside fellow JCC and KGK members but also get to know many more people while growing and maintaining the JCC。

はじめまして、今年のVP of Japanese Studiesのサナドと申します。 私はコンピューターを勉強している 4年生です。 同じ趣味を持ったたくさんの人に会いたいので 、VP of Japanese Studiesになりました. 私の目標を日本語を始める1年生にJCCに来たいと思ってもらうことです。確かに勇気がいるけど、JCCは誰でも楽しめる場所だと思います。 そして、なによりも、みんなと楽しい思い出を作れたらいいなと思います！

よろしくお願いします。

Padgett Hiew - AVP Japanese Studies

はじめまして! My name is Padgett, a third year student majoring in linguistics and minoring in East Asian Studies. I’m also the upcoming JCC AVP for the 2022-2023 school year. From what I’m studying, you can probably guess that I’m interested in language itself & cultural exchanges —which is why the role interested me in the first place! I’m excited to connect with others the imperfectly formed, yet glorious bridge that we so love to call language learning. There’s a lot I want to do for the club, but my major goals are to (1) engage others more with the culture, (2) greater outreach with other Japanese communities, and most importantly, (3) for JCC to become an even better communication hub for everyone and beyond!  

Leianne Gingco - VP Korean Studies

Hi hi! I’m Leianne, and I will be this year’s VP Korean in charge of the Korean Conversation Club or KCC. I’m going into my 5th year of East Asian studies with fingers crossed that I’ll be able to graduate. I decided to run for VP Korean because I thought it would be a great opportunity to better my skills in the language, as I will not have much opportunity to take classes. I mostly started learning the language to tell my Korean friend’s mom that the food she cooked was delicious, so my knowledge mainly consists of food. I hope to grow KCC this year and make it more lively and welcoming to not only beginner Korean learners but also to more advanced and even fluent speakers. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone this year. 파이팅!  

Elvis Vierneza - AVP Korean Studies 

Hi I’m Elvis and I’m this year’s AVP Korean Studies! I’m in my 2nd year majoring in Computing Science and my minor is East Asian Studies, focusing mostly on Korean. I’m the last year’s VP Korean Studies and I look forward to to continue contributing to KGK events and activities, just now with new (and beautiful) faces! I’m excited to see the extent of what we can do without COVID restrictions, and also what the new executive team can bring to the table. Thank you for your kind cooperation!

안녕하세요, 저는 올해 한국연구의 AVP를 맡고 있는 엘비스라고 해요. 저는 2학년이고 전공은 컴퓨터 공학이고 부전공은 동아시아학이에요. 사실은 제가 작년의 VP인데 이제부터 새롭고 아름다운 얼굴들이랑 같이 KGK 행사와 활동에 기대를 많이 해요. 또한 코로나 제한 없이 우리 팀이 얼마나 더 잘 할 수 있을지도 기대해요. 잘 부탁드려요!

Chinese Conversation Club

Meeting details can be found in the social media group.

Drop-ins of all levels are welcome at any time in the year!

The club is a resource for any individuals currently learning Mandarin who want to practice their oral Mandarin skills in a fun and casual environment. We also welcome native and advanced Mandarin speakers to join us as facilitators.There are no fees associated with the club.

Currently, the Chinese Conversation Club (CCC) is run under the KGK: East Asian Studies Undergraduate Students' Association. For more information, please contact us at kgk@ualberta.ca.

Japanese Conversation Club

Discord server: https://discord.gg/V8w3FRa
Meeting details can be found in the social media group.

Drop-ins of all levels are welcome at any time in the year!

The club is a resource for any individuals currently learning Japanese who want to practice their oral Japanese skills in a fun and casual environment. We also converse for an hour in English to benefit any Japanese speakers looking to improve their spoken English. There are no fees associated with the club.

Currently, the Japanese Conversation Club (JCC) is run under the KGK: East Asian Studies Undergraduate Students' Association. For more information, please contact us at kgk@ualberta.ca.

Korean Conversation Club

Discord server: https://discord.gg/k68wjmg
Meeting details can be found in the social media group.

Drop-ins of all levels are welcome at any time in the year!

The club is a resource for any individuals currently learning Korean who want to practice their oral Korean skills in a fun and casual environment. There are no fees associated with the club.

Currently, the Korean Conversation Club (KCC) is run under the KGK: East Asian Studies Undergraduate Students' Association. For more information, please contact us at kgk@ualberta.ca.