Since I was little, I have always been interested in learning about culture worldwide. Growing up, I chose Korea to study more about its successful cultural diplomacy, and thanks to my studies at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), I have the chance to meet many friends from different cultures.

I tried to find a club within the university that could allow us to exchange more about our cultures, but unfortunately, there is none. That is when I decided to create my first cultural exchange club in April 2021. Currently, the club hosts more than 30 members from 17 different cultures and has exchange activities almost weekly.

If you are also struggling to find your own place in the university, how about trying to create a brand new student club? Here are some steps that you might want to take a look at!

Step 1: Know what you want (and what other people need)

The first step of everything is always to know what you want. Make your vision board and start from there.

What do you want from this club? What activities are you planning to have? Who is going to be its members?

And most importantly, you also have to consider what other people could possibly benefit from joining the club.

How is it going to help the future members?

A university club is a place for many people, and that is why it should not only be created to satisfy your needs but also to have some contribution to the community as well.

Imagine you are a future club member and ask yourself (probably multiple times) what you want in exchange for a few hours of social interaction every week.

Also, try to find information about any similar clubs at the university. If there already are any clubs with the relevant theme, think about how your vision would be different from theirs.

Step 2: Find your gangs

After visualizing your vision board, search for friends around you that might share the same interests. They could be your everyday friends, classmates, or students in your university. You could reach them through social media or university apps like every time.

Check the member's requirements for a club application; it might vary from university to university. At the time KOTURAL, my club, was established, we needed at least five members to meet the minimum, and I was lucky to have all of them. Together, we became the founders of the club.

One thing to keep in mind, if you are not fluent in Korean, you might need a lot of help from your co-founders. Most universities, regardless of how international they are, often have the majority of administrative procedures operated in Korean. That is why you must include at least one Korean or Korean-speaking member in the beginning.

Also, it might not be mandatory, but some student clubs are required to have an advisor professor to help advise the club activities. You should also consider inviting your professors for this position to increase the possibility of acceptance.

With KOTURAL, I invited my favourite professor whose area of interest is also culture and communication. She has been a great support for our club ever since.