Korean Census

Letter from international student of Queens College

Sangho Kim

President of Korean Student Association, Queens College, CUNY

3/11/10 
 

“Census, please participate.”, “The mail will be arriving this week. Please respond and send it back.”

These are the most phrase I said in my volunteering activities. I couldn’t have enough conversation with people to find out if they knew about Census, but most of Korean Americans heard of the importance of Census that their will in participating was high. I found out that when people see closely to the brochures we gave out during campaigns, then they will certainly participate in the Census.

What I thought of the difficulties in campaigns for the lives of busy contemporary people, it is that we cannot let people feel the benefits of Census to their own skin. Many information given out as ‘road infrastructure in Korean community’ and ‘Korean services and generalization’, it is approaching to residents as community point of view, and not seen as a busy resident living in the community, that they would not find this benefit useful in their own lives. They will possibly think that Census is another governmental event held every 10 years.

Especially when you think for the benefit of entire Korean Americans and understand the importance of these matter, then the participants may have time to think about participating in Census. However, for international students like myself, and many sojourners staying in US for short period of time, they would possibly question, ‘why they should participate in Census for the people living in US’, and ‘what influence can government give to their personal lives’, etc.

 

However, if people were educated in importance of Census, and think of why we should participate for the next 10 years of our lives, I think 10 minutes of filling out the questionnaire will be enjoyable to many people. As for me, a international student position, I think the reason for participating in Census is enough when you think about the land we might live for long time, and for struggle of past seniors that lived in US and future students that will come to US to study.

Honestly, I’m really happy to work as Queens College Census public relations team to spread the importance of Census to many people, and proud to live in US where Census is operated every 10 years. By this opportunity, I hope that Korean Americans will received strength for next 10 years to live, and together enjoy the benefits of Census for next 10 years.

There are still many international students and many young students born here that do not know the importance of Census , and have no interest as well, but by our campaigns and active activities, we will publicize the Census and made them have an opportunity to rethink of Korea, and Korean Americans in our community.

Sangho Kim President of Korean Student Association, Queens College, CUNY 3/11/10   “Census, please participate.”, “The mail will be arriving this week. Please respond and send it back.” These are the most phrase I said in my volunteering activities. I couldn’t have enough conversation with people to find out if they knew about Census, but most…

Sangho Kim President of Korean Student Association, Queens College, CUNY 3/11/10   “Census, please participate.”, “The mail will be arriving this week. Please respond and send it back.” These are the most phrase I said in my volunteering activities. I couldn’t have enough conversation with people to find out if they knew about Census, but most…