Sharing Nepali Traditional Cuisine and Origami Activities
Offering Warm Comfort Ahead of Christmas
International students from Singyeongju University (with Lee Donghan serving as Acting President) are setting an example for the local community by practicing warm sharing with local seniors as the year comes to a close.
On December 23, about 40 international students from Singyeongju University visited Yacheok Senior Center in Chung-hyo-dong, near the university, where they experienced Korean senior center culture and engaged in volunteer activities interacting with the elderly.
This event was organized to comfort local seniors, who may feel isolated during Christmas and the end of the year, and to offer students a chance to experience firsthand the core Korean values of filial piety (Hyo) and affection (Jeong).
The highlight of the day was a cultural exchange program prepared by students from Nepal.
The students continued natural conversations with the seniors as they folded various origami pieces together, including flowers, sheep, cranes, and ducks.
Although the seniors were initially unfamiliar with origami, they soon enjoyed themselves, smiling brightly as the students kindly explained and guided them through the process.
In particular, the students prepared and served traditional Nepali dishes-momo (dumplings) and samosa (fried snacks)-for the seniors.
The seniors listened attentively to stories about the students' hometowns while tasting these unfamiliar international foods, and some even expressed their gratitude by performing dances, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout the senior center.
One international student who participated in the volunteer work shared, "It was very meaningful to experience Korean filial piety culture in the local community, which I had only learned about in textbooks. I actually felt even more comforted because the seniors welcomed me like a grandchild."
One of the seniors at the center also expressed gratitude, saying, "The foreign students came all the way here, gave us delicious food, and played with us, so all my loneliness disappeared."
Singyeongju University plans to use this activity as an opportunity to support international students in becoming integrated members of the Gyeongju community, going beyond simply completing their studies.
A university official stated, "It is important for international students to understand the real values of Korean society and to build a foundation of mutual respect with local residents. We will continue to establish regular local volunteer activities and cultural exchange programs, such as visits to senior centers, to create a sustainable model of coexistence."
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