[Report] "College Life Was Bittersweet"... Attending Graduation Ceremony After COVID Restrictions Lifted

Natural Appearance Without Masks Indoors and Outdoors
Many Graduates Express Regret About College Life
"Not Many Juniors Came" - Changed Graduation Ceremony Scenes

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyul Hwang] "I returned to school in 2020 after completing my military service, but due to COVID-19, all classes were online until early last year, so I feel a bit disappointed. It seems I only enjoyed college life during my freshman year. Still, at least I can take off my mask for graduation now" (Choi Kibum, Class of 2017 graduate, 24 years old)

At 9:30 a.m. on the 16th at Hanyang University Seoul Campus, students wearing graduation gowns are taking photos in front of the lion statue wearing graduation caps. Photo by Seoyul Hwang chestnut@

At around 9 a.m. on the 16th, we visited Hanyang University Seoul Campus located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The temperature that day was 2 degrees Celsius, but due to heavy clouds, it felt colder than usual. However, the graduates' faces were full of smiles. About 40 people were lined up in front of the school's mascot lion statue for photos. Some wore masks sporadically, but most showed their faces naturally, adjusting their friends' graduation caps without masks.

The same atmosphere was observed at the indoor degree conferment ceremony. Of the approximately 200 students gathered on the first floor of the Olympic Gymnasium on campus for the College of Engineering degree ceremony starting around 10:40 a.m., only about 20 wore masks. When parents who came to see the students from the second floor waved their phones to take pictures, one student lowered their mask and smiled brightly. The school recommended mask-wearing during the ceremony but did not enforce it. However, more than half of the families and friends who came to see the students from the second floor wore masks.

Most of the students who participated in the College of Engineering graduation ceremony held at the school Olympic Gymnasium were seen without wearing masks. Photo by Seoyul Hwang chestnut@

Although it was a graduation ceremony where masks could be removed freely, many students expressed regret that they were not free from COVID-19 while attending school. Lee Suhyun (Class of 2017, 25, male) said, "After returning from the military, COVID-19 started immediately, so I couldn't actively participate in department activities." Shin Hanbyul (24, female), who graduated from graduate school, said, "Graduate school classes were small and held in person, but it was difficult to participate in many school events." Kim (Class of 2017, 27, female) also expressed regret, saying, "It was hard to build friendships with juniors, and many opportunities to meet disappeared."

Some graduates shared their reflections on how the graduation ceremony changed due to COVID-19. Yoo Sooyoung (23, female) said, "Since I started attending school remotely from my junior year, it was hard to meet juniors," adding, "Because of this, I don't know many people, and it seems like juniors don't come to congratulate graduates at the ceremony these days." Except for groups wearing gowns to take photos with friends graduating together, club gatherings celebrating the graduation were rarely seen. Jung (Class of 2016, 26, male) also said, "I hardly saw juniors while attending school," adding, "I was originally in a choir club that required frequent group practice, but it became difficult to meet after returning to school."

The graduates each shared their concerns and hopes for after graduation. Jung said, "After attending school for a long time and trying to start working, I'm scared of having no vacations and worried that the repetitive daily routine might be boring," but he hoped, "Still, I want to live healthily and enjoyably." Shin said, "I'm going to study abroad, and I'm worried if I can do well like here," smiling brightly, "I hope to stay healthy and well." Choi (Class of 2017, 24), who is going to graduate school, said, "I'm unsure how to live, and each year feels harder, but I hope to stay safe and sound."