UNIST hosted the 2025 UNIST International Year-End Party at the Kyungdong Hall in the Main Administration Building, welcoming international faculty members, researchers, students, and their families for a year-end gathering focused on connection and cultural exchange.
Organized by the International Affairs Team of UNIST, the event was held under the theme ‘Celebrating Diversity, Connecting UNIST.’ It recognized the dedication of international members who have contributed to research and education throughout the year, while providing an opportunity to strengthen community ties across cultures. A total of 164 participants attended, reflecting the growing diversity of the UNIST campus.
International members of the UNIST community and their families enjoy the year-end celebration. l Image Credit: International Affairs Team, UNIST
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Dean Youngbin Park of the Office of Public Relations and International Affairs, who expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by international members over the past year. He also shared his hopes for their continued success and well-being in 2026, and extended special thanks to family members for their ongoing support, noting their important role in enabling academic life at UNIST.
A short video titled ‘Memories of 2025‘ followed, revisiting moments shared across campus during the year and drawing warm responses from the audience. The program continued with performances by UNIST’s international student dance club Intersteps and a traditional Korean percussion (pungmul) group, adding energy to the evening and underscoring the event’s theme of cultural exchange.
A performance by UNIST’s international student dance club, Intersteps. l Image Credit: International Affairs Team, UNIST
Paritipants also took part in hands-on cultural activities, including △ Experiencing Korean Wedding Traditions, △ Hanbok Wearing, △ Tea Ceremonies, and △ Korean Folk Games, such as Tuho (Arrow Throwing). Interactive photo zones and booths allowed participants to capture the occasion and continue conversations in a relaxed setting.
International members of the UNIST community pose for a commemorative photo wearing traditional Korean hanbok. l Image Credit: International Affairs Team, UNIST
Many attendees remarked on the welcoming atmosphere and thoughtful programming. Alemayehu Moges Kebede, a doctoral student in the Department of Civil, Urban, Earth, and Environmental Engineering, said the event created a comfortable space for members from different backgrounds to connect naturally, adding that the opportunity to attend with family made the experience especially meaningful.
Dean Park noted that UNIST will continue to expand international support programs and foster a campus environment where diverse cultures coexist, enabling international members and their families to settle in and engage fully in university life.
