Building a Home Away from Home: How Student Societies Shaped My Life at KAIST and Led to My Role as a KAIST Ambassador & Community President

UNIVERSITY

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16 Sep 2024

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5 minute read

by SherazAli

Embarking on a New Journey

Just as a ship sails away from the shore, destined for a new horizon, it knows that the old shore will fade from sight with time. This is much like the journey of an international student living in Korea.

Leaving home is never easy, especially for students, as we understand that our future depends on our dedication and hard work in a new unfamiliar place. Home is a place of comfort, where we were born and raised, surrounded by family—our parents, siblings, and relatives—immersed in the warmth of our community, food, and culture.

When I first set foot in Korea, I never realized how quickly this would seem like a distant memory. My new world began when I joined KAIST, one of Korea’s top-ranking universities, as a PhD student. As young people, we often have the flexibility to adapt to new environments—and I was eager to embrace what many dreams of: studying in the developed and dynamic South Korea, at the renowned KAIST. While this dream was true, the journey wasn’t complete without the rich experiences brought by the international clubs and societies that became a vital part of my life.

KAIST: New Home

<b>KAIST University, Daejeon, South Korea</b> — **KAIST University, Daejeon, South Korea**

KAIST is not only renowned for its world-class research, but it also offers a vibrant student life enriched by various clubs and societies.

I fondly remember joining activities organized by the International Scholar and Student Services (ISSS) at KAIST, such as painting, treasure hunts, and mentoring programs. KAIST also hosts the annual KAIST One events, where students from different countries are invited to showcase their culture, talents, and traditions. These gatherings not only helped me forge new friendships but also provided a perfect balance between social life and the demanding research environment at KAIST. These experiences helped me build the confidence to meet new people, make friends, learn about different cultures, and find motivation from others — all of which ultimately improved my studies at KAIST.

From Kitchen Novice to Leader

Thanks to ISSS, KAIST also provides an international kitchen where students can cook their meals.

I eagerly joined the Pakistani community there, where we cooked together every night. Not only is the food Halal (permissible for Muslims), but it's also traditional Pakistani cuisine. We cooked for average 24 students. As the saying goes, good food brings joy, and through this, I made many international friends in the kitchen. From this valuable experience, I quickly became a leading chef within a year, and within two years, I was the Kitchen Head. This allowed me to lead the Pakistani team twice in the international food festival.