The Voice of GMUK News Division Dept. X Social Media Dept.
Photo Credit: The thumbnail of "Meet New Patriots! Spring 2022 | New Student Interview" from the Youtube Channel of The Voice of GMUK
Photo Credit: https://youtu.be/_eo4Wuu0Tys
Every student in George Mason University Korea (GMUK) has a moment that they first come to the university. Generally, they would feel either excited to meet new peers and start a new journey as a university student or nervous about adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. In this context, the past month of Spring 2022 would be enough to give new patriots the first impression of GMUK. Considering an unprecedented situation with COVID-19, The Voice of GMUK assumed that Spring 2022 freshmen might have different experiences than pre-COVID new students had at GMUK. Hence, The Voice of GMUK has met three students with diverse backgrounds, majors, and interests. Let's get into the details.
Thoughts on GMUK
Everyone who is enrolled at GMUK has their own specific reason to choose GMUK. For example, Sojung Kim (GMUK, Business, 25'), who has completed all of her past education in Korea, said she felt interested in experiencing a foreign education system in Korea. Hayun Kim (GMUK, Conflict Analysis & Resolution, 25'), who spent seven years abroad, wanted to study both in America and Korea, especially for Conflict Analysis, a unique program of our university. She has been impressed that professors here are open to helping their students. On the other hand, Enoch Mulembe Jr. (GMUK, Computational Data Science, 25'), an international student from Lusaka City in Zambia, came to Mason Korea in the hope of being introduced to a new culture of Korea. And he currently enjoys taking a history course at Mason Korea since he has always wanted to study history.
Life at GMUK
Thanks to the return of face-to-face classes for this Spring 2022, students have tons of opportunities to interact with others on campus. Sojung (GMUK, Business, 25') shared her experience, saying, "my class is very energetic as the students are all active in participation, so we introduced ourselves and hung out together right after the first class." Hayun (GMUK, Conflict Analysis & Resolution, 25') also has met new friends in classes who helped her adjust to a new environment. But for her, it was her roommate who introduced more campus people so that she could build new social connections through them. However, she still feels difficulty in social interaction in the cafeteria because table dividers, which are set up to prevent the virus from spreading, make it hard to hear what peers are saying. Moreover, Enoch (GMUK, Computational Data Science, 25') shows his passion for participating in a video production club and school events where he could listen to different stories from different people.
Thoughts on the current instruction mode of GMUK
Freshmen students also provided their thoughts on the current in-person instruction mode. Overall, they all have positive perspectives on it. Sojung (GMUK, Business, 25') expressed her satisfaction with the in-person classes, as unlike at the high school, she can spend time with her peers on campus. Similarly, Hayun (GMUK, Conflict Analysis & Resolution, 25') mentioned, "Due to the pandemic, I have [she has] wanted to interact with friends and professors face-to-face." And she pointed out, "I [She] tend to focus on the class much more when I participate in-person." Additionally, Enoch (GMUK, Computational Data Science, 25') said that "it gets boring quickly on Zoom, but in-person lectures allow students to get involved in class properly." For the question of whether it is appropriate to have the current instruction mode, Sojung and Hayun answered that keeping this in-person mode is appropriate because they think that students cannot just wait until the pandemic ends and cannot let it interrupt the way of their education. However, Enoch delivered his preference for the hybrid instruction mode for ensuring both students' and faculty's safety and academic efficiency.
This excellent opportunity to meet freshmen reminds us how exciting it is to be a student of George Mason University Korea. It seems that a significant advantage of a transition to in-person classes is a chance to be engaged with each other on campus. In response to the present COVID-19 circumstance, it is anticipated that all students at Mason Korea, as well as three freshmen that The Voice of GMUK met, foster their adaptability, and have unique experiences in learning and building social relationships.
Written by Yoonhye Cho | Staff Writer
Revised by Yu Bin Kwon | Managing Editor
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