Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center-Howard University

🎤🇰🇷 The Bunche Center Brings Korean Language, Culture, and History to the Library of Congress!

We recently partnered with the Library of Congress for LIVE! K-Pop LIVE! @ the Library, an engaging evening celebrating Korean music, language, creativity, and cultural heritage.

With guidance from Dr. Kukjin Cheon, Howard University's Korean language professor, and several Bison (study) Abroad alumni volunteers, participants learned how to write their names and favorite K-pop lyrics in Hangul using traditional ink and brushes. Guests then decorated their creations with stickers while enjoying popular K-pop music in a vibrant atmosphere filled with fans, artists, students, community members, and visitors.

In addition to the hands-on activities, attendees, including our own international students, explored an exhibit that highlighted a fascinating historical connection between Howard University and Korean cultural history.

In 1896, seven Korean students enrolled at Howard University with support from Korean diplomat Suh Kwang Bum. Later that year, recordings were made of students singing the Korean folk song "Arirang." Those wax cylinder recordings, now preserved at the Library of Congress, are recognized as the earliest known recordings of Korean voices in the United States.

The exhibit also explained how BTS's Arirang album concept draws inspiration from this history, honoring the students who helped preserve and share Korean culture abroad more than a century before K-pop captured audiences around the world.

By connecting language learning, cultural exchange, historical preservation, and contemporary music, the event offered visitors a unique opportunity to discover an important story linking Howard University, Korea, and the Library of Congress.

Thank you to Dr. Cheon and the Library of Congress for helping bring this remarkable history to life while fostering meaningful cross-cultural engagement.

🎉 You're Invited to the Bunche Center Open House! 🎉

Want to learn more about the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center and how you can get involved? Right after the Study Abroad Fair...

Join us for an afternoon of networking, exploration, and community as we open our doors for students interested in global opportunities, study abroad programs, internships, events, and more!

✅ Meet the Bunche Center team
✅ Tour our office space
✅ Discover programs and opportunities for the academic year
✅ Connect with other globally minded Bison

📍 1805 7th St. NW, 7th Floor
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
⏰ 4:30 PM–6:00 PM

🎁 The first 15 students who register will receive a door prize!

Bring a friend and start your global journey with the Bunche Center. We can't wait to meet you! 🌎🐃

🌎 DREAM. EXPLORE. STUDY ABROAD. ✈️

Have you ever wanted to study in another country, complete an international internship, or learn about scholarships that can help make global experiences affordable?

Join us at the Howard University Study Abroad Fair and meet organizations offering exciting opportunities around the world! Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or ready to apply, this is the perfect place to start.

📍 Hilltop Lounge, Blackburn Center
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Bring your questions, invite a friend, and take the first step toward becoming a global Bison! 🐃🌍

🎉 Join us in welcoming **Tiana Key** to our team as the new **Assistant Director of Study Abroad**!

We are thrilled to have Tiana join us as we expand opportunities for students to engage in transformative global learning experiences. Her enthusiasm for international education and commitment to student success make her a wonderful addition to our community.

Please help us give Tiana a warm welcome! 🌎✈️

Join the Bunche Center for Taste of Tanzania, an inspiring evening exploring how food, culture, and global engagement intersect to strengthen learning, health, and community resilience. Featuring reflections from a faculty immersion in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, speakers will discuss nutrition‑led agriculture, culinary traditions, and global research pathways.

🗓 Wednesday, April 29
⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center | 7th Floor

All are welcome—come hungry for knowledge and connection!

What role does AI play in shaping democracy—and how does it impact Black communities worldwide?

Join us for The Algorithm Was Never Neutral: AI and Black Democracy, a thought‑provoking panel discussion hosted by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center. Hear from leaders in politics, technology, and public service as they examine how algorithms influence elections, media narratives, misinformation, and civic participation.

📅 Wednesday, April 15
⏰ 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Browsing Room, Founders Library

All students are welcome. Bring your questions for the live Q&A!

Long time no see! Check out what the Bunche Center has been up to this semester in the Spring 2026 Newsletter.

The Bunche Report -Spring 2026 Edition Email from Ralph Bunche International Affairs Center-Howard University 1805 7th St NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20001 In this issue: Truth, Service and Smiles: HU College of Dentistry & 10 Years of

🔬🌍 Howard University Research Month 2026 Spotlight! 🌍🔬
Interested in international research, innovation, and global collaboration? Join us for a special presentation on E.U.–U.S. Collaboration Opportunities in Research Innovation, featuring science counselors from the European Union, France, Poland, Hungary, and Austria.

Learn how Horizon Europe and other bilateral programs can support your research, scholarship, and global partnerships.

📅 Tuesday, April 7
⏰ 2:30–5:30 PM
📍 Interdisciplinary Research Building, Multipurpose Room
🎤 Open to students, faculty, and staff

This is a must‑attend event for anyone curious about funding, fellowships, international partnerships, and global research impact.
➡️ Come network. Come learn. Come innovate—globally.

We invite you to join us for a special book talk with author and diplomat Ernesto Mané Jr. on his debut work, "antes do início (Before the Beginning)."

This engaging conversation will explore Mané’s striking blend of memory, history, and reflection as he examines identity, lineage, and the forces that shape a life before it starts—rooted in his experiences as a Brazilian‑Guinean scholar and diplomat.

📅 Wednesday, April 1
⏰ 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Douglass Hall, Room 221
Hosted by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center. Registration is now open. All are welcome!

Don’t forget to register for the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center’s events happening THIS week!
📌 Attempts to Undermine Black Internationalism: A Case Study at the UN
Thursday, March 26 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Browsing Room, Founder's Library
🎥 This event will also be streamed here: https://tinyurl.com/BlackInternationalism

📌 HBCUs and the Advancement of Black Communities Across the Americas
Thursday, March 26 | 3:00–5:00 PM
1805 7th St. NW, 8th Floor, Washington, D.C.

Be sure to secure your spot and join us for an insightful day of dialogue, scholarship, and global engagement!