The Beginning of New Semester

Imagine standing in front of a class full of eager students, ready to begin the semester, but you are the only foreigner in the room, leading the charge. That was my reality when I took on the responsibility of planning an Orientation Day (OT) for a university club called the 'Likelion' at Kangwon National University. I organized the event because I am one of the member of the high committee team. To briefly introduce Likelion, it is a club classified as a joint club that focuses on web/app development. Joint club refers to a university club or group that is also available at other universities. These clubs typically bring together people from varied backgrounds who share common interests or aims, encouraging larger connections and interactions outside of a single university or department.

In Korea, it is typical for university students to organize and attend an OT at the start of each semester. The purpose is to share the club’s planned activities, get to know fellow members, and, most importantly, have fun as university students! Freshmen are usually the most active participants in these OTs.

As a current high committee member of the club, alongside seven other Korean team members, there are several things to consider when preparing for an OT as the only non-Korean. Typically, we begin planning around a month before the semester starts. Throughout this process, here are five key insights I gained from this unforgettable experience.

Here are five key insights I gained from this experience:

1. Embracing Cultural Differences: A Learning Curve

Leading a club OT in Korea as a foreigner was an opportunity to embrace cultural differences firsthand. From the way meetings are structured to the expectations of how information is presented, I quickly realized that Korean students value formality and clear organization. Even when communicating to each other, despite the small age gap, we used formal Korean. Understanding this helped me align my approach with local customs, making communication better. It was a reminder that cultural adaptability is key, especially when stepping into leadership roles in an unfamiliar environment. Did you know that OT in Korea has a long-standing history? The tradition of OT in Korean universities is not new and it has been an integral part of student culture since the 1990s, or perhaps even earlier.

2.Language Barriers: Turning a Challenge into Strength

Although I had been studying Korean for over three years, I never expected to find myself organizing an OT in my third language. Making the effort to speak in Korean, even if not perfectly, was appreciated by the members. As I mingled and made new friends within the club, my Korean improved. One of the most enjoyable parts was learning MZ generation slang directly from them!