On September 3, the 2024 fall semester kicked off with the much-anticipated Club Fair, a recurring function at the beginning of each new academic term. Ushering in waves of freshmen and returning students alike, the three-day affair was a vibrant display of the dynamic and diverse student life at SNU.

An aerial view of the Grass Square during the Club Fair

A Sight to Behold, An Experience to Savor

On the morning of the fair, the verdant expanse of the Grass Square was lined with uniform rows of white tents, sheltering the booths hosted by a remarkable 71 student societies. The buzz of excited chatter filled the air as flocks of students wove through the stalls, discovering the myriad of opportunities that university life has to offer. School spirit was ever so alive and palpable.

Students checking out the many societies hosting booths at the festival

At its core, the Club Fair showcases a diverse range of clubs, ensuring that every student finds a community that suits their passions. This fall, the fair featured an impressive array of sports societies, including SNUPOOL, the SNU Fencing Team, the SNU Taekwondo Team, and the SNU Women’s Ski Team. Through the excitement of physical activity, teamwork, and shared accomplishments, students have the opportunity to forge lasting memories and connections with their club peers. For those more inclined toward creative pursuits, many booths spotlighted SNU’s broad scope of arts and media-focused extracurriculars. Societies such as the band MEARI, the SNU Journal, and the broadcasting club SUB offer students multifaceted avenues for self-expression and artistic exploration. Last but not least, the festival provided a further platform for clubs with specialized niches. Those looking to hone their skills and compete in the game of go may just meet their crowd in the Baduk society, while others enthralled by the world of scents can deepen their expertise in Minutia.

In order to draw students to their respective stalls, booth operators employed a range of captivating promotional strategies. Many booths featured games and activities for curious onlookers—from impromptu karaoke to an amateur archery competition—alongside a generous gifting of trinkets and snacks. Others showcased club members decked out in elaborate costumes that would stop anyone in their tracks. Among the most eye-catching was a handmade dragonfly costume worn by a dedicated member of HEXAPODA, a hobby society of insect enthusiasts. Over the course of the three-day fair, the dragonfly head bobbed through the crowds, occasionally accompanied by another HEXAPODA member wielding an oversized insect net. How could anyone resist checking out the club after witnessing such a charming display?

An Introduction to S-NOW

This particular Club Fair also marks the first time that S-NOW—the SNU Student Press behind this article—has hosted a booth to promote the team and engage the student body.

Under the guidance of the SNU Communication Team, S-NOW splits into three subgroups: the English press team, the Korean press team, and the social media team. While the Korean and English press teams update SNU’s official homepage and newsletter SNU NOW with articles introducing campus events and initiatives, the social media team creates content for the university’s Instagram page @snu.official.

Like many other booths at the fair, S-NOW offered two activities for those who stopped by to browse. On one side of the stall, students were welcome to participate in a quiz-based raffle with guaranteed prizes, the ultimate win being an SNU teddy bear. On the other side, participants could decorate postcards designed by the social media team with messages to their future selves, either to drop into a designated mailbox or take home as a keepsake.

S-NOW operating a booth at the festival

With the ever-changing lineup of societies that participate in the Club Fair, you never know what to expect. If you missed this fall event, be sure to attend the festival next March for a glimpse into the treasure chest of opportunities awaiting you!

Written by Hee Seo Lee, SNU English Editor, heeseolee@snu.ac.kr