By Lee Tae-woo
I have seen a lot, heard a lot and felt a lot throughout my first year at Korea University (KU). The one thing that really struck me, however, as something unique that KU possesses, is the spirit of the school
Lunch times during my first semester of freshman year were always filled with appointments to meet with senior students. It was nothing unusual, as all newcomers were trying to create their own agendas. Seniors were eager to meet with their junior colleagues, talk over a meal about school life and give out sound advice whenever needed. Such camaraderie, which is created ever since the first day of school, is the element I believe that forms the basis of KU’s unique school spirit.
Then there was the ``Ko-Yon Festival’’ pitting our Korea University against Yonsei University. The two schools are longstanding rivals and companions on Korea’s advanced academic scene. The festival is literally a series of sporting competitions between the two, ranging from soccer and baseball to rugby. However, the true attraction of the festival is not so much about the scores but the cheering.
Some may think of it simply as a collective expression of support for their teams, but there is much more to it. The moment they cheer, the crowd becomes one. And I mean ``one’’ as in a single entity that shares its spirit with every individual involved in that stadium. People who come to witness this event are struck at what they see and hear, because they never have seen a crowd so enthusiastic for their teams. Soon, even those spectators who don’t belong to either of the schools become part of the cheering crowds. They say some things are possible in life, others impossible. I am a person who experienced something impossible that day. I shared my spirit with thousands of people.
To create a tradition is not an easy thing. To make a tradition that no one else possesses is even harder. Many universities may take the words ``school spirit’’ lightly. Korea University uses school spirit because it is already there, visible and palpable among its students, professors and menial workers who belong to our school.
The writer is expected to enter his second year at Korea University’s Business School after studying in Brussels, Belgium; Washington, D.C.; and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. _ ED.