CULTURE
Creating your own Community WRITTEN BY ANYA HABER
SCAD Atlanta is a creative haven. Many students travel a great distance before they take their first steps into SCAD. It’s an intimidating culture shock — a new school, new city, new country. Though you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, you can still find a community that reminds you of home. A great way to find yourself in the presence of like-minded peers is to join one of the many clubs SCAD Atlanta has to offer. They can act as a creative outlet, a support group of sorts. International students can create a micro-community to find familiarity and common ground in their new life. There are more than 40 active clubs at SCAD Atlanta with a wide range of focuses. From religious to academic, cultural to hobbyist, the range of communities are diverse.
The Korean Undergraduate Student Association (KUSA) is an organization that solves the issues Korean students face. It’s also a safe space for students to ask questions and seek help with adjustment. Third-year graphic design student and president of KUSA Kanglim Kim joined the club two years ago. “I knew I wanted to be president of KUSA so I could make things better for Korean students. I wanted to build a community where students can rely on when they have troubles,” said Kim. The main event the club organizes is a multi-media art show, showcasing paintings, sculpture, live music and more. “We do this to give students a chance to show their artwork without having to worry about getting rejected by high standards,” said Kim. “It’s a fun collaborative space where artists meet artists.” KUSA sets up two art shows a year: One in the fall and spring quarters. Their last show featured 16 SCAD Atlanta artists.
KUSA President and third-year graphic design student Kanglim Kim. Photo by Anya Haber.
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2019
The playfully named Island Vybz Club is a community of students hailing from the Caribbean, though all nationalities are welcome. “I first joined the club because I wanted a sense of belonging and to be reminded of home,” said second-year film and television student Rocky Lee. “I also wanted to meet other people from the Caribbean and people who are interested in the culture.” The club is friendly and relaxed. “Everyone is so connected with each other, like a family. We always greet each other with a hug,” said Donovan Lynch, fourth-year television producing student. Lynch elaborated, “The club helps Caribbean students find a community. As an international student, coming into a new