Student Activities
Supporting your journey at Korea University
Life
KUISA (Student Buddy Program)
KUISA, also known as Korea University International Student Assistants, is a voluntary student organization under Global Services Center. Since its foundation in 2013, KUISA has been successfully assisting and helping international students to adjust well to Korea University as well as Korea. KUISA aims to guide in university life and make friends with KU students who came from all walks of life and different cultural backgrounds.
※ Only for undergraduate students
How it works
The bud and buddy help each other in academic related matters and other difficulties faced in everyday life. Not only do they promote friendship and cultures through various events, language exchange and others but this is also an opportunity for them to nurture on another.
BUD(벗)
- The [BUD] is Korea University students who can help new international students. KUISA recruits BUD each semester by interviewing and screening his/her application. BUD usually serves for one semester but if a BUD wishes to continue, he/she can do so.
BUDDY(버디)
- The [BUDDY] is new international or overseas Korean students who receive help from the KUISA BUDs. There is no recruitment process for buddies. All KU international and overseas Korean students are able to join activities with KUISA.
KUISA Activities
Course registration session
This is done right before the semester starts for the new international students. In here, KUISA distributes the course registration guide, holds a course registration orientation and helps in the course registration day itself.
Opening Party
On the beginning of the semester, March and September, an opening party is held. Here, buds and buddies meet each other and are able to interact with those whom they will be with for the semester.
Membership Training (MT)
An MT for recruited buds and an MT for buds and buddies together are held. In here, members forget worries for a while and develop closer relationships with each other.
Cheering Orientation
Korea University holds a Cheering Orientation every March and September. Through KUISA, you can learn and enjoy KU cheering for the first time together with Bud and Buddy.
Field Day
Before the mid-term exam, KUISA will come together for a Field Day. Join KUISA’s sports festival and connect with students from diverse backgrounds.
Korea University Festivals
Members spend the Grand Festival, Ipselenti, Fall Festival, Ko-Yon Jeon, etc. together.
Excursions
An activity wherein KUISA members gather altogether or by group and freely spend time with each other. Going to different places such as Namsan, Gyeongbukgung, Han River Park, bowling alley, Bugaksan, Lotteworld, ice skate rink, Seoul Forest and other places to hangout.
Language & Culture Exchange
Both buds and buddies can join the language culture exchange where they can either teach or learn languages. Through this language exchange, as members learn cultures and languages, it is also an opportunity to grow closer as a group.
Ending Party
In celebration of the end of every semester, after the final exams, this party is held. This is where they end the semester and look back at the times they spend together.
Contact KUISA
What’s KUBA?
KUBA stands for Korea University Buddy Assistants and Exchange/Visiting students will have KUBA buddies when they arrive in Korea. During each vacation period, the Global Services Center recruits KU students (mostly second year students or higher) as a KUBA buddy to guide and help Exchange/Visiting students adjust to Korea University life. Buddies are selected on the basis of their language abilities, student involvement (including participation in societies and clubs at KU), and in-person interviews.
Exchange/Visiting students will be automatically registered as KUBA members and will receive e-mails from Korea University buddies before the semester starts.
Main Purposes of KUBA
- Help in becoming familiar with Korea University and student resources
- Provide language and cultural exchange
- Advise in course selections
- Join in semester events and activities
- Offer the opportunity for long-lasting friendships
Activities and Events
Exchange/Visiting Students studying at KU have the opportunity to experience and participate in KU's events each month as follows. Through these experiences, even with the short-term duration of their stay in KU, students can learn about Korean culture and the KU spirit while building strong friendships.
Orientation
- February, August
- Before the semester starts, Exchange/Visiting students are required to attend orientation for Exchange/Visiting students which is held for 2-3 days. You will be able to understand about Korea University and get ready before the semester starts. It would also be the chance for you to meet not only KUBA buddies but also fellow Exchange/Visiting students from various countries.
Cheering Orientation
- March, September
- Korea University is also famous for its own cheering. Especially during the Annual Korea University - Yonsei University Sports Competition which is held at fall semester. You will be able to learn the KU’s own cheering and can get one step closer to KU life.
Field Day
- April, September
- Before the mid-term exam, you might feel you want to do some outdoor activities. Join the KUBA students and enjoy your time competing with other KUBA group buddies. Let’s see who the best team of this semester.
Field Trip
- April, October
- Most of the students are have become accustomed to KU life around this time of the semester. Exchange/Visiting students and KUBA members go on field trips to places near Seoul for a cultural experience twice a year in spring and fall. Students are able to spend their time to learn more about various aspects of Korean culture.
IPSELENTI
- May
- IPSELENTI is held by Korea University's cheering squad on the last night of Korea University Festival (Daedongje). Those who cannot join Annual Korea University - Yonsei University Sports Competition, this will give you a chance to experience the cheering.
Annual Korea University
- Yonsei University Sports Competition
- September
- KU students join together for the annual Korea University VS Yonsei University sports competition. This annual event has been likened to the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race held every spring. Over the two-day period, they compete in baseball, basketball, ice hockey, rugby, and soccer. Exchange/Visiting students can enjoy both the sport games and also the cheering culture of Korea University.
International Students' Festival
- May, November
- International students with a sense of belonging to KU through various activities previously mentioned above are encouraged to be representatives for a culture events called "International Students’ Festival" At the event, international students from over 20 different countries set up booths to present the foods, clothes and games from their home countries. Approximately 700 KU and International students, including those from other domestic institutions enjoy this booth display event. At the fashion show, the second part of the festival, students will have a chance to show other students their countries’ traditional clothes.