Seoul International Students Forum : Group D and its awesome idea

Since 2008, every year Seoul Global Center under umbrella of Seoul Metropolitan government organizes Seoul International Students Forum(SISF) for both foreigner and korean students who are enrolled in universities of Seoul! This give students a chance to commingle, share ideas and have fun all together! The sole purpose of SISF is to nurture hidden talents of students by giving them oppournity to work on policy proposal that should be unique and practical.

Having said that, it is not easy to do such activities specially if there are students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. SISF members came from more than 30 countries across Europe, Asia and America.

SISF first general assembly meeting [24 June 2011] @ Human Resource Center

All the students were placed in 6 groups (A,B,C,D,E,F). I was placed in Group D (that is later given name Dolphins -:) ) Each group was given a task to come up with a a simple yet implementable policy proposal at the end of two months duration. Along with policy proposal, there were few trips and volunteer activities arranged for students to experience dynamic Korea and it's culture.

Group D members. Group Leader : Brandon (Korea University)

It started very well in first general assembly with overnight stay at Seoul Human Resource Center. At that moment, every group had to present a perspective idea of their proposal. Our group came up with idea "Mapping Universities of Seoul" and got 2nd prize at end of day! The trips to various locations were organized every Tuesday. Every group was required to hold one group meeting every week, and convenient location was Seoul Global Center conference room ( free of cost :p).

Group D with 2nd prize at SISF First General Assembly

The regular weekly meetings were very intensive and productive. Students get opportunity to express their opinions and ideas. Our group came up with initial idea of mapping universities of Seoul. Initially, we planned to draw a customized map that target international students coming to Seoul every year (50,000 -60,000 students visit Seoul every year). However, the biggest concern was the cost factor. Printing out maps costs a lot of money.

Light mood during meeting session at Seoul Global Center Conference Room!

Therefore, our group decided to use technology! We switched our project to 'making a smart phone application' for convenience of international students! The smart phone app was given name 'Seoul's Mapedia" It is an iPhone/iPod and iPad application that contains information about campus maps, campus surrounding areas and transportation from airport to university etc. Customized Google Maps were created for each university!

iPhone Application Screen Shots!

Our group worked with nice coordination, and finished the policy proposal on time. Sometimes it is very difficult to convince each and every person on the group to be on same page. Nevertheless, irrespective of differences in cultural backgrounds, we all did a fine job! The best outcome of working together in such environment was FRIENDLINESS!

Korea University : Taken after shooting UCC Video!

Finally, the big day arrive and every group leader has to present policy proposal in front of Judges! The day was August 26th and location was Seoul City Hall building.Our group got 2nd/runner-up prize. We were just too short of grabbing first prize. The first prize went to policy proposal related to solving housing problem of international students in Seoul! Well that concludes my post! Thank!!