STUDENTS' LIFE IN SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY!

STUDENTS’ LIFE IN SKKU!

It’s known that student’s life is the best time that could happen to people for ever. And therefore, people try to do their best in order just enjoy and memorize this time in their lives. When I came to SKKU, first thing that I felt entering the university, was that I really saw busy and full of activities life of students! Everyone was in a hurry, because there are so many things that are waiting for them, and it’s not only studying but also just social events and people around.
I came at right time, because at the beginning of semester there were held recruitments for student’s organizations and clubs. I was shocked, there are so many students’ clubs, and their purposes are so varying, starting from Religion clubs to dancing, meeting people clubs. That’s great! You can join any of these clubs, so that you can find a lot of friends, and of course learning language and experiencing culture. People are so talented and friendly. Joining one of clubs in SKKU you will feel the real students’ life, that fulfills you with lot of energy, so that you can just relax because you are properly spending your time doing something important and useful. So let’s see what clubs you can join, I will list some of them, because it’s impossible to describe and list them all^^:
Travel club
In this club you surely can be interested in. This club is organized for people who really want to visit the places that represent historical and spiritual culture of Korea. But these places are not only architectural constructions, but also it can be different places that relate to natural wonderful creations, like islands and beaches along sea.
Dance club
Here you can enjoy dancing activities, any dances that you like.
Sport clubs
There are so many sport clubs, all types of sport that you do and would like to do.
Art clubs
All art areas that you could interested in.
Music club
Here you can enjoy music as much as you want, if you play different musical instruments, you can give some small performances with other musicians.
Debate club
In this club you can express your opinion about different social and important issues that occur nowadays, debating with colleges, and improving orator skills.
Cultural experience club
This club is dedicated to people, who are interested in exploring cultural heritage of different nations, studying their history, traditions and customs, watching documental movies and surfing on Internet articles, archive documents which describe different issues related to nation’s history or way of living.

SIFE & AIESEC
Probably you heard about these organizations, because SIFE is known as global non-profit student organizations that practices the principles and the spirit of the free market economy in the community and AIESEC the world's largest student organization which is considered to be an international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact on society improving leadership skills. These are main statements for 2 global-based organizations, which describes more than enough about activities of organizations, encouraging students to make big change in improving society with its potential leadership skills that are obtained from big social group which deals with improvements and developments of around society.
These organizations works on 48 countries and Korea is included in the list. So, you have a great chance to get in these two students’ society in SKKU so that your staying here could be not only fun and enjoyable, but also useful for society.

To be honest, there are too many clubs for listing them at once, however, I think I listed all of which you will be definitely interested in and surely enjoy.
In SKKU campus you will find a students’ union building it is in front of memorial 600th Anniversary building. From this building you always will hear music that is played by student-musicians; also you will see crowd of active students who are meeting altogether to discuss different events that they want to hold, HIP-HOP music that is played from one of the club rooms and many-many other student-activity things that are so enjoyable for international students who are coming from different countries to experience the student’s educational as well as students’ activity based life.

Festivals in SKKU.
One of the most important events in SKKU students’ life is festivals. These festivals concern with celebration of students’ life in SKKU and also with important events that are remarkable in history of Sungkyunkwan University. From the students’ side there are 2 festivals in year, spring and fall festivals. These events organized by all students’ organizations in SKKU. The purpose of this festival is to instill pride in the students, and to provide an occasion for the alumni to reminisce about their school years. Everyday each student’s club will prepare some funny and enjoyable games, free-snacks, performances from dance or music clubs, concerts, singing contests, multi-sports event and other entertainment events. HI-club along with international students cook own national or country food, and this event is called International Food Festival and it is held during the main students’ Festival week. As I mentioned already it lasts one week and at the last day of Festival there will be held great concert where celebrities of Korea and other stars will participate in. For example in this Spring Festival there were Wonder Girls and Girls’ Generation bands performing, and almost all students of Seoul and Suwon campuses were participating in celebration of last day of festival. This Festival week was really interesting event, and it was full of activities that most of international students enjoyed.
Also in fall semester Student’s Festival along with other Festivals are held, especially in October month. One of them is Geon-gi-je Festival. It celebrates the anniversary of SKKU’s founding. This festival based on themes that focus on the diversity of the participants and the expansion of cultural festivities. Also for students there are prepared programs and lectures that deal with humanity – this is hope to be an improvement on past festivals that only involved partying. Another Festival is called Yea-ya-je, it is a yearly academic festival of the School of Arts. The concept of this year’s festival is called “School of Arts Bus Station.” It consists of six “stations,” each representing the five departments in the School of Arts: Fine Art; Design; Dance; Film, TV, and Multimedia; and Theatre. The final station is organized by students from all five departments. These stations will showcase the works produced by the students. The audience will not only enjoy the works, but they will also have an opportunity to participate in programs which include learning about dyeing techniques. Also there is a Cheering Festival that is organized by the Kingo Cheerleaders Squad. It aims to promote student unification and pride. Students will be handed masks of the blue dragon, the SKKU mascot, which will be used during the cheering sessions. Cheerleaders plan to teach students the basic movements of cheering through the “Cheer Together” program, and everyone will participate in the cheering at the stage.
As you already noticed there are many events that you can definitely enjoy during semester. Also I think along with enjoying student’s SKKU life you will also enjoy international life with friends from different countries. That is guaranteed, because exchanging different cultures and exploring Korea is a big contribution to self-development and self-learning that is definitely will be useful in reaching your career and educational goals.

I’m really glad that I’m experiencing all these, here in SKKU and in South Korea!!!