Community Highlights: Meet Constance Busser of Korean Connection

Today we’d like to introduce you to Constance Busser.  

Hi Constance, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
After graduating from Eastern Michigan University in 1972 and then teaching Junior High English and Communications for 40 years, I was looking for something that would not only fill my time but would also touch my heart. It was 2014, and I happened to attend an event hosted by newly formed Korean Connection. My daughter Kelsey and I were motivated to attend because she is an adoptee from South Korean as is my son Joel, and they were serving Korean food. As the event ended, I was invited to become a volunteer. Now I am president and have been so since 2016. The goal of Korean Connection is to bring the Korean culture to those of interest in West Michigan. Since 2016 we have instituted Korean language classes, Korean cooking classes, and we have represented the Korean culture at various events throughout the city. Our most significant accomplishments have been achieved in the last 2 years. In 2021 the city of Grand Rapids became a Sister City with Gangnam-gu South Korea. Then in 2022, with the help of Thornburg LLC, a Korean street artist, Royyal Dog, was brought to Grand Rapids to paint a mural on a building downtown to promote Korean art in time for Art Prize. Currently, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary, and since this year is the 70th anniversary of the armistice ending the Korean Conflict in 1953, we are hosting an event on April 20 at the Goei Center to honor our local Korean War veterans. Korean Connection was also honored this past fall in Lansing at Michigan State University by the Council of Korean Studies with a Global Korean Award for our service in promoting Korean culture. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Korean Connection would not be where it is today without the hard work and dedication of our board members, past and present, and our amazing volunteers. I am always amazed with the creativity and enthusiasm of the people who contribute to the Korean Connection activities. Some of our board members no longer live in the area, but they continue to help in various ways. Thank goodness for Zoom. Our language teachers this past semester lived in St. Louis, MO, and Troy, MI. We at Korean Connection have also been helped from the beginning by Minnie Morey and the West Michigan Asian American Association. When we were a struggling newbie in the non-profit business, they believed in us and guided us, and supported us. 

Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Maybe that is why it is so rewarding when it is accomplished. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Korean Connection was started in 2013 by Deb Havens. The goal at the time was to educate people in West Michigan about South Korean and its culture. At the beginning, we worked with GVSU and the English Language Learners who attended programs on campus. We offered get-togethers to share the American culture, such as Halloween parties, Christmas parties, and game nights. Once that program at GVSU ended, we expanded our activities to offer Korean language classes and occasional Korean cooking classes. When Covid struck, we moved our classes to Zoom and were able to enroll students as far away as Texas and New England. 

Korean Connection has also been part of the Grand Rapids Asian Festival every year, as well as the Asian Lunar New Year Festivals offered in the city. Our Facebook page has worked lately to promote various Korean-owned small businesses. 

Korean Connection is an organization that has always offered to work cooperatively with the other Asian organizations in the city. 

We are also available to serve as a conduit to connect people with services they are seeking. On numerous occasions, we have provided Korean translators for those needing help with English. 

I am most proud of the fact that Korean Connection has been inexistence for 10 years, but more importantly, that it has continued to evolve to stay meaningful to the people of Michigan. 

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the oldest of a family of 4. I think that is what lead me to be a person that is good at organizing and motivating others. Both those qualities helped with my 40-year teaching career in Coopersville. I tend to be optimistic. Whenever something doesn’t go the way I was expecting, I tend to say, “Well, at least it wasn’t…” 

For example, if snow fell slowing things down, I would probably respond to someone, “Well, at least it isn’t the Christmas blizzard.” 

That’s not to say I haven’t had rough times. My husband Dennis was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2020. For 10 months, he fought it valiantly but to no avail. So sometimes, your optimism can be challenged. I definitely needed people around me to lift me up, and being busy with Korean Connection has helped to give me purpose. 

I am a reader and always have been. Just lately, I joined a book club which has expanded my reading choices. Reading has always been an escape for me. 

I learned to knit in 2013. Usually, I make baby hats and baby blankets. Knitting is another soothing activity I enjoy. 

Finally, there is nothing better than taking my dog Eevee for a walk. Being outdoors has always lifted my spirits, and my dog gives me that opportunity. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.koreanconnectionwm.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koreanconnectionwm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KoreanConnectioninWM
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korean-connectionwm/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/koreanconnectwm?lang=en