International Student Alumni Homecoming Day was held on Saturday, the 23rd, at the main campus of Sangrok-Won. The event was the first homecoming day held by international student alumni and universities. More than 100 international students, including President Yoon Sung-yee, International Director Lim Jung-yeon, Chairman of the International Student Alumni Association Wang Ga-woo, Professor of Japanese Studies Lee Kyung-cheol, and Professor of Film and Digital Media Jung Jae-hyeong attended the event, which began at 4 pm. Currently, our university has about 2,000 international students from 50 countries, and the cumulative number of graduates is over 3,700.

International student alumni who gathered together after a long time had a good time sharing memories. Some international student alumni who live abroad visited Korea to attend this event. Those staying abroad who were unfortunately unable to attend the event provided congratulatory greetings with video messages. Graduates who sent video messages from various countries including China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Nigeria expressed gratitude by saying “Thanks to Dongguk University, I was able to obtain my present position.”

Through the congratulatory address, the President, Yoon Sung-yee, communicated the following message. “I expect Homecoming Day to be the starting point for various projects for international students and alumni. I hope the senior international student alumni who graduated earlier provide help to juniors to grow toward a better future.”

International Director Lim Jung-yeon said, “As the first Homecoming Day with the International Student Alumni Association, we look forward to expanding the diversity and participation of alumni in the future.” For this purpose, he said, “To become a self-governing festival centered on international student alumni association, organization of an Alumni Association and participation of enrolled students should also take place.”

The Chairman of the International Student Alumni Association, Wang Ga-woo, who was awarded a medal as alumnus and brought honor to Dongguk University, graduated from the Department of International Commerce and Area Studies and law school after graduating from our university’s language school. Currently doing business between China and Korea, he said, “This event can be arranged with the help of many others. I will continue to activate the International Student Alumni Association.” The following words reflect his love for the school: “Every moment is precious, as I spent a third of my life at Dongguk University.”

Lee Jae-woo, Manager of the International Student Center and responsible for Homecoming Day, said, “I hope Homecoming Day will strengthen the ties between international students and alumni, promote the international student network, and establish a foothold for a scholarship system by linking students and alumni.”

Homecoming Day, which carried out a variety of programs, including the launching ceremony of the International Student Alumni Association, the Proud Alumni Award, a congratulatory performance by the Baek Sang cheering party, and sweepstakes, was a time to provide new memories to our international alumni. Further, it was a time to increase a sense of belonging and pride by visiting the home university a long time after graduation and form a network with alumni. Although their languages, cultures, and countries are different, it was possible because of their love for Dongguk University. We look forward to further activating Homecoming Day for international student alumni and developing the future of international student alumni together with our university.