The “I Love SNU Party” was held on Friday, May 20, celebrating Together Day, a holiday designated by the Korean government to foster tolerance towards people of different ethnic backgrounds. The party, hosted by SSA (SNU student ambassadors), was planned as a recreational event for Korean and foreign students, which is why it was held at Global House (the SNU dormitory pub), a convenient location for the foreign students living on campus.

SSA hosted recreational “I Love SNU” events annually from 2005 to 2009, but it is the first time an event took the form of a student party. “Since we are SNU’s official student ambassadors, we normally plan more formal events. However, since we were rather inactive last year, we reduced the formality this year to draw more participation and make it known that we are active again,” says KO Jae-kyung, head of SSA. In this aspect, the party was a success. With limbo games, dancing competitions, dance performances by HIS (SNU hiphop dance club) and Spin (SNU dancesport club), Global House was full of laughter and cheers throughout the evening. About 150 students of many different nationalities came to the party.

However, apart from the fun, it was an opportunity to enhance friendships between foreign students and Koreans. “While making the party fun, we also tried to make the party a place where foreign students could experience Korean traditions. For example, we put on a traditional Korean music performance and held Tuho (a traditional Korean game that involves throwing an arrow into a narrow barrel) competitions,” explains Mr. Ko. Traditional Korean drinks were offered in drinking games as well, which many foreign students enjoyed. Also, to create a friendly atmosphere for foreign students, the SSA party hosts were all dressed in various nations’ traditional costumes. Mr. Ko explained that the hosts were allotted costumes so that at least more than one traditional costume from each continent would be worn. “We were careful not to be biased, so that the party would be equally enjoyable for everyone,” he explained.

Such efforts seem to have paid off. Eldor, a graduate student from Uzbekistan, answered that he was enjoying the party and thought that such an event was a great way to promote and foster friendships between Korean and foreign students. Also, Jang Yu-jin, a UC Berkeley student, said that she was surprised to see so many foreign students, and that they seemed to get along so well.

In general, the event reflects SNU and its students’ ongoing efforts to make foreign students feel more at home. Henri, a student from Finland, said that there are many well-organized programs for foreign students. Kodama Shogo, a Japanese exchange student, said that he feels welcome at SNU because the Korean students treat him very warmly. SSA is planning to extend some of their programs to foreign students next semester, such as guided tours to famous Korean landmarks, which were previously offered only to VIP guests.

Written by KIM Jaeseung, SNU English Editor   ?
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorrensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor