[Report] "Enjoying Clubs and Festivals"... Campus 'No Mask' Semester Start

Mask Mandate Lifted but "Still Awkward"
Freshmen Who Missed School Trips "Looking Forward to College Life"
Seniors "Will Engage More with Juniors and External Activities"

Song Mo (78), holding a bouquet of flowers, asked for directions to the Seoul National University gymnasium where the entrance ceremony was being held. Catching his breath, he said he had gotten off his son's car and was walking to buy a bouquet to give to his grandchild who was entering school that day. Song said, "I have several grandchildren, but during the COVID-19 period, although there were entrance and graduation ceremonies, I couldn't attend any of them," adding, "I will keep wearing a mask at the entrance ceremony due to infection concerns, but I am happy to be able to come and celebrate this time."

Around 11 a.m. on the 2nd, Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Students and their families visiting the school for the entrance ceremony are taking photos in front of the main gate's 'Sha' mark. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

At around 11 a.m. on the 2nd, at Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. With the indoor mask mandate lifted, the university campus, which held the entrance ceremony and the start of classes that day, was bustling with students. In front of the main gate of Seoul National University, many freshmen and their families took off their masks and smiled brightly while taking photos in front of the gate's 'Sha' mark. Jang Yun-seo (19, Department of Sculpture) said, "I entered after retaking the exam, but at my previous school, I could only watch the entrance ceremony on YouTube," adding, "This year, I think I will be able to enjoy festivals and club promotion events."

The students met on site felt somewhat awkward about walking around campus without masks. The gymnasium where the entrance ceremony was held was crowded with many students, and some freshmen attended the ceremony standing, but except for a few, most were wearing masks perfectly. At around 12 p.m., at the Yonsei University student cafeteria in Seodaemun-gu, students who had been continuously talking while eating showed care for prevention by putting their masks back on after finishing their meals.

Jung Seo-hyun (18, Department of Nuclear Engineering), who participated in the Seoul National University entrance ceremony, explained, "I was wearing a mask because I had a cold and was worried about possibly transmitting it to others." Kim Mo (20, Department of Atmospheric Chemistry), a student at Yonsei University, said, "When I went to morning classes, everyone was wearing masks, so I just wore mine and attended class," adding, "I think I will participate in classes without masks only when the overall atmosphere shifts to allow it."

Around 11 a.m. at Ewha Womans University campus in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, students are strolling around in small groups of three to five. They wore bright expressions, but most were wearing masks, seemingly concerned about quarantine measures.
Photo by Taewon Choi skking@

However, freshmen expected university life to be more enjoyable than high school, where they had to wear masks. Kim Mo (19, International Studies), a freshman at Ewha Womans University, said, "I couldn't go on school trips in high school, so I lack experience in group activities," adding, "I'm worried about adapting, but I want to enjoy university life by participating in mentoring activities and the band club." Kim Yeon-je (18, Department of Anthropology), a freshman at Seoul National University, smiled and said, "In my first year of high school, I only started attending school in June and spent three months without knowing my classmates' faces," adding, "This time, I coordinated schedules with friends to register for classes, so it's enjoyable to see each other's faces during lectures."

Current students also expressed high hopes for resuming campus life, which had been suspended. Park Hee-sung (22, Department of Economics), a Seoul National University student who set up a club promotion booth for the entrance ceremony, said, "I think I can participate in club activities like in 2019 without worrying about COVID-19," adding, "I'm looking forward to meeting juniors." Kwon Mo (21), a second-year student at Yonsei University, said, "There were few face-to-face activities so far," adding, "This is my first university life on the Seoul campus, and I plan to participate as much as possible since there will likely be more external activities than before."