Welcome class of 2022! After waiting for months, incoming students have finally explored Yonsei University and met their future classmates during orientation!
Due to COVID-19, we weren't sure that we could meet for an offline orientation. However, following safety regulations, we all managed to attend various lectures and activities which helped us create new friendships and build motivation for what’s yet to come.
Seniors and school representatives were all there to welcome us to our new home for the next few years. We had the chance to meet the Dean, the Associate Dean, the Academic Director, the CDC Director as well as many members of the Admnistrative staff. They shared information about school life and guidelines and motivated us to do our best, here at Yonsei. The Student Council was also of great help, just like mentors, they answered many of our questions, brought us closer to each other and guided us during each new steps. It was the perfect time to get to know some of our seniors and listen to useful tips for life on campus and in Seoul.
Day 1 was the official start of a new beginning! Many of us were nervous but the warm welcome we received was able to ease our heart and make us feel comfortable for the rest of the day. We were all happy to receive welcome gifts and some snacks to start the day in in a great mood. We had a guest lecture from Mr. Danny Lee working at DKSH, who taught us how to surpass obstacles and leverage opportunities. We also toured the campus and participated in team building activities.
To encourage team work we had to introduce some key places of Yonsei Sinchon Campus, like the Underwood Building, with only 15 minutes of preparation! An experience quite nerve wrecking at first but which ended up being a very funny moment. To encourage individual active participation, we all introduced ourselves to our classmates. We learned about everyone’s various background as well as hobbies and interests. We now know who can cook dinner for us, who to ask for stock advice and who to play video games with!
We finished the day by enjoying a nice Korean dinner together in the Grand Ballroom. The Dean Associate Min encouraged us to create strong bond because from now on we are all each other’s family.
On the right, a Zoom presentation about a Yonsei Alumni interview by a group of students who couldn’t attend physically.
Students who couldn’t attend the ceremony due to visa restriction or mandatory quarantine upon their arrival were able to attend the Orientation on Zoom. Fortunately, they were also able to introduce themselves and take part in online group activities. During summer, online teams interviewed GMBA alumnis and prepared presentations. We were all very happy to be able to meet everyone!
Enduring the hot and humid Korean summer, we spent the whole morning of day 2 running around Yonsei's Sinchon campus for a trekking activity. We received guidelines, maps, water, gloves and trash bags from mentors who explained to us our objectives. We had to complete various missions which involved games and enigmas, orienteering, a picture contest and a trash collection competition. We hiked and get lost in Ansan mountain, we played in the outside theater, we walked along beautiful paths and came back running and sweating hard. Luckily, at the arrival, pizzas were waiting for us. We were all tired but happy to dig in the pizza boxes and share a moment together; just like friends hanging out in a living room, sharing pizzas and laughing together.
During two days, teamwork helped us build trust and bond with each other. We learned the essence of the GMBA program through physical and mental challenges. We are now ready to enjoy the rest of the semester together and make this school season unforgettable.
We are all proud and excited to spend our upcoming years together! Good luck to everyone in the upcoming school season!
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