용봉대동풀이
The annual festival of Chonnam National University (CNU) took places from September 30th to October 2nd around campus. Balloons everywhere, fascinating fireworks that embroidered the night, delicious smells, lively mirth, interesting games were enough to attract CNUians and local residents . It was also full of diverse programs, in which many students participated for three days.
The programs included Yongbong Song Festival, a treasure hunt, a running man game and a group jump rope contest, and Guerrilla karaoke which can show up participant’s singing was very popular for couples singing serenade to a girl or a boyfriend. A variety of booths that included a campaign to raise awareness environmental issues and a promotion activity to introduce the history of Hangul to celebrated Hangul Day in October 3th also made the festival more joyful and meaningful.
Foreign students enjoyed the festival and participated in several programs with their friends from different nationalities. Bbosa Deogratius (Sophomore, Dept. of Computer Engineering) said, “I think this festival is pretty interesting for able to experience some music, food, games. Also my friends tried out throwing the baseball, and some traditional games. And there were a number of foreign friends, trying to find some interesting things to get involved in”.
Many foreign students enjoyed the festival with Korean students while they were on a project assigned by the one-on-one peer mentoring program of the Language Education Center (LEC), CNU. Jung Hyun-yeong (Senior, Dept. of Chinese Lang. & Lit.) said, “Though this mission, we could break the barrier between us and become a true friend. Since it is festival, we could get along easier than before.”
In the mentor-mentee program, Korean mentors help international students study Korean Language and adjust to life in Korea by doing various activities including participating in the annual festival and experience Korean culture on and off campus. Lee Min-seon (Program Coordinator, LEC) said, “It’s been eight years since we start this program. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity to encourage CNUians to make foreign friends. By doing so, international students can be adapted in Korean and learn Korean language effectively.”
Febi Elfida (Exchange Student, Indonesia) said, “It was really great! I had so much fun. It was awesome that I enjoyed a music concert of a famous singer team ‘10cm’ on campus. Overall, it was a pleasure to be with my mentor at the festival programs.” However, we need to improve the problem of marginalization of foreign students at the festival, and increase programs designed for them to share their cultures with domestic students and have a sense of community as CNUians.
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