Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Residence Hall (Director Professor Kim Hwan-gyu) held the residence hall festival 'Hongwa Dormitory Festival' on the 19th, providing an opportunity for the rapidly increasing number of international students and domestic students to come together in harmony. With roughly 1,800 new international students arriving this year and the residence hall's international environment greatly expanded, this year's festival was organized as a venue for exchanges blending Korean and global cultures.

This year's Hongwa Dormitory Festival was characterized by programs designed to welcome international students moving into the residence hall and to allow them to experience Korean food and culture firsthand. It also focused on promoting natural communication and exchange between domestic and international residents to strengthen a sense of community.

The event was divided into a first part featuring cultural experience programs and a second part consisting of performances and a student song contest. In the first part, an 'International Hall Booth' with students from five countries—Peru, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, and Kenya—was operated, showcasing each country's food, traditional games, and cultural experience programs, and received strong responses. Participating students had time to experience cultures from around the world firsthand and to interact naturally.

Additionally, the Korean culture experience booth run by the resident committee offered a range of programs, including dalgona making, ttakji, and a K-POP quiz, which attracted international student participation. The combination of mission-based activities and a raffle-style ticket event also drew attention for increasing engagement.

In the second part, club performances and a student song contest continued, further elevating the festival atmosphere. A variety of foods, including barbecue and dakgangjeong, were also provided, adding to the enjoyment of the residence hall festival.

The event demonstrated how the university's residence hall is serving as a core hub for on-site internationalization in response to the increase in international students. It is significant that the residence hall now functions not only as a place to live but also as a complex community space where global cultural exchange takes place.

Kim Hwan-gyu, Director of the JBNU Residence Hall, said, 'This year, with the sharp increase in international students, the residence hall has come to play a more important role as the starting point of a global campus. I hope the Hongwa Dormitory Festival will provide an opportunity for different cultures to blend naturally and for students to quickly adapt as members of the community.'