May College Festival Season| Student and University Culture in South Korea

In Korea, a new semester starts in the early March unlike schools in other countries. Spring means a new start in lots of different senses for Koreans: new season, beginning of new life for nature, beginning of school year, beginning of a new phase of life(if you enter  elementary, middle or high school or even college), beginning of adulthood after finishing your education, etc.
As a result, there is a sense of excitement and anticipation among students in spring. This elevates in May, after all midterms is over, when colleges across the nation hold their own festivals. Koreans call this period  “College Festival Season”
Daegu Citizen Press, Junaid Haider and Pham Toan, are sharing their experiences at festivals at their colleges this year. I hope you all enjoy!

CONTENT
Yeungnam University Festival
Kyungpook University Festival


Yeungnam University Annual May festival

Yeungnam university is one of the oldest private university of South Korea founded by President Park Chung-Hee, located in Gyeongsan near Daegu city. Being a well-known and research-based environment, numerous foreign and exchange students are there for study and cultural exchange. To enhance the cultural exposure and improve the standards, different types of events are conducted by the admin throughout the year. Annual May Rock festival is one among them.

Figure 1: Masterpiece depiction

Every year after the 3rd week of May it is started and stays for three days, usually Wednesday to Friday. All three days very well-known celebrities are invited for unlimited fun. Students from different universities are welcomed to take part in the activities i.e. apply for booths to sell the food, tattoos and body painting, cocktail stall, variety of foods from different countries, cultural exposure, games, and endless fun.

Figure 2: Stage preparation


Like previous years, this year it was hell of fun there as an 8th YU annual festival held in the main campus as usual with full swing.



Day-1
The event started on 23rd May in the evening and yes it was PSY day. A very famous singer and musician was invited to rock the stage. Before PSY’s arrival local singers and dancers compelled the crowed to wave.

XOX dancing and singing group made the environment for most awaited moment of the day.

Figure 3: XOX stage performance

Now it’s PSY’s turn. There was shouting of his name and people settle down to make the space for enjoying the climax of the day. He made my day for singing the energetic songs especially, oppa Gangnam style.

Figure 4: PSY performance, the most energetic singing