Dear new students of 2023! Congratulations on your matriculation to Seoul National University.
In the past few years, you have faced numerous challenges, surpassed your limitations, and put forth your best efforts to reach this point. You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Seoul National University, where you will be studying and living, is a prestigious academic institution that attracts the brightest minds in Korea to generate innovative ideas and principles. For over 70 years, SNU has been a crucial hub for nurturing talent that leads the country and takes responsibility for its future. Now, you stand among those talented individuals.
While your admission to Seoul National University is a result of your impressive achievements through hard work, it also signifies the beginning of a new phase of life that will shape your future. Now is a critical time for you to establish your life goals and cultivate the necessary skills to achieve them. At this crucial juncture, it is important to remember that you must avoid all forms of societal biases, preconceptions, and the pressure to conform to norms. You are the architect of your life, and your objectives must stem from your own aspirations. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes or getting lost. Embrace the freedom and independence that college life provides, and pursue what you genuinely desire, regardless of any obstacles you may face.
As you embark on this new chapter of your life, what should you aim to learn from your college experience? Is it to gain knowledge, achieve your life goals, and improve your chances of securing a better job? While these outcomes are undoubtedly important, the essence of learning in college goes much deeper. The ultimate goal of learning in college is to lay the foundation for becoming a "true intellectual." It means being an individual who discovers the purpose and significance of life through a comprehensive understanding of the principles and structures of humanity and society. A "true intellectual" has the ability to perceive objects and phenomena as a coherent whole and examine them from diverse perspectives. Therefore, becoming a "true intellectual" requires excelling in your major while not being overly consumed by it. You should strive to develop your intellectual abilities by exploring various academic disciplines such as humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering, and by demonstrating your skills in integrated thinking and creative convergence. To facilitate this, there are various liberal arts classes and institutional mechanisms such as minors, double majors, and customizable majors that you can take advantage of. I encourage you to actively utilize these classes and systems to promote your growth as a "true intellectual.“
Personal growth in college is critical not only for individual development but also for the foundation of social progress, as universities shape the future of society. With the rapid advancements in technology, as demonstrated by the recent AI phenomenon, modern society is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and future uncertainty is also increasing. When you prepare to graduate and embark on your journey in society, what technological possibilities will humanity have? Will traditional values and ways of life still hold? In times of unpredictable change, it is crucial to reflect on fundamental aspects of life and society, which can provide guidance for social development. By acquiring comprehensive knowledge and critical thinking skills to become a "true intellectual" in college, you will be able to confidently express your ideas about life and society, helping our society to overcome confusion and anxiety and move in the positive direction. It is important to recognize the social implications of your personal growth and strive to become someone who can bring order to chaos and illuminate the path forward.
While individual effort is important, it is crucial to recognize that personal development is not a solitary pursuit. The joy of today's achievement is not solely your own, but also the result of the support and guidance from your parents, family, and the elementary, middle, and high schools you attended, along with the teachers who taught you there. Similarly, as you make progress in the future, it is important to remember Seoul National University and its professors who will provide you with unwavering support, as well as the fact that our country has made this outstanding academic institution and productive academic community possible. When you realize that you are a member of society and take responsibility for your community, you contribute to a healthier society, and your personal growth becomes more meaningful in it.
Dear new students. You are now standing at the starting line of a new journey. Now is the time to create your own path and become a "true intellectual" by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the world. Take on the responsibility to serve society and broaden your perspective beyond the personal level to encompass the society, the country, and the world. Don't be afraid to spread your wings and soar high as you embark on this journey. Seoul National University’s free academic community will be a solid foundation for your leap.
Congratulations on your matriculation to the class of 2023!
Wishing you an enjoyable and fulfilling college experience. Thank you.