KDIS Student Affairs Division gave out Green Awards for the 2024 spring semester to clubs for their outstanding contribution and active participation in eco-friendly activities towards protecting the environment. Up to 5 clubs received a reward of 100,000KRW that the club members used for different activities, for example the Femmes Soccer Club had a picnic for all members. Through their different green officers, the clubs engaged in eco-friendly activities ranging from using fewer plastic cups by encouraging the members to carry their own tumblers to picking garbage on mountain trails to consuming healthy snacks to mention but a few. In addition, writing reports and taking photos and sharing them with the Student Affairs Division helped these clubs to win the Green Awards. In this article, we introduce you to these outstanding green ambassadors as we help you navigate which clubs to be a part of as you consider your extra-curricular activities this semester.

1. Zumba Club

Zumba Club, which offers a multitude of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being, is a fantastic workout that helps you burn calories and improve coordination. Beyond the physical perks, Zumba is a powerful stress reliever that boosts your mood and energy levels, making it an excellent way to relax from academic pressures.

Maria Del Riego MDP 2023, who has been the KDIS Zumba Club representative since the Spring semester says, “We have a theme for each class and select the music according to the theme, generally we dance 4 routines, have a break, and then repeat it. We also encourage students to teach, so if someone would like to teach some dance, they are always welcome.”

Regarding participation in the Green Awards, Maria explained, "It's easy to participate. Each club or forum simply needs to start implementing some green actions. For instance, we ask students to bring their own cups or tumblers to avoid using plastic ones. 

Additionally, in partnership with the LAC forum, we purchased reusable cups for large events. If someone forgets their cup, we provide one that can be returned, washed, and reused. When offering snacks and drinks, we avoid individual packaging by purchasing larger quantities to share, using mainly paper packaging and large drinks to serve everyone, thus avoiding the need for individual bottles for each student."

Zumba Club members meet every Wednesday from 8pm to 9pm in Lincoln Hall. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to join for exciting dance sessions filled with fun and exercise. And please be reminded to come with comfortable clothes, a cup/tumbler, and your enthusiasm!

2. KDIS Femmes Soccer Club (FSC)

According to Karen Barsales, MDP 2023, the Club representative, the Femmes Soccer Club aims to provide opportunities for ladies to participate in a traditionally male-dominated sport, promoting gender equality within the school’s diverse community. The Femmes Soccer Club is open to all KDIS female students, no soccer experience is required. Whether you are a player or not or simply have a passion for the sport and are eager to learn.

The Femmes Soccer Club was among the clubs that amassed the KDIS Green Awards that were given to clubs that take actions to protect the environment.

Gihesha, the green officer said, “The femmes engaged actively in bringing their own tumblers and eating healthy snacks like bananas during practice time.”

The Femmes Soccer Club undertakes many activities including: 1. For the summer semester, regular training and games are on every Friday afternoon. The playing time is from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, depending on the weather conditions. 2. Collaboration games with the KDI team, friendly matches with other KDIS Clubs and teams from other universities and local soccer teams if there is an opportunity 3. Team building activities like picnics, club dinners in collaboration with other clubs.

3. The Hiking Club

When asked how one can join the hiking club, Alexis MPP 2023, the hiking enthusiast and representative had this to say, “Well to be part of the hiking club you just need to enter our WhatsApp group and participate in our hiking activities. We invite the people to participate in our club through social media and recommendation and personal invitations”

The Hiking Club engages in activities such as travelling around Korea, climbing the different mountains and trails, capturing beautiful memories and sunsets, all the while connecting with mother nature.

If you are looking for ways to spend your weekend away from dorm with your fellow students exploring all the fun places in Korea, join the Hiking Club and experience the thrill of discovery and the beauty of Korea’s natural landscapes. Don’t miss out on the fun and unforgettable experiences!

These nature lovers work hard to protect the environment. They collect all the garbage they find in the mountains for safe disposal. When an opportunity came to participate in the Green Awards, they jumped right on it, by sharing the pictures from their previous hiking activities, their engagement in garbage and waste disposal and no wonder, they got the awards. Go Hiking club!

“This showed the school how motivated students were to participate in outdoor environment-friendly activities,” noted Alexis.

4. Table Tennis

The Table Tennis Club also received a Green Award. By joining the club, you can enjoy playing table tennis with your friends in the designated room, where you will be comfortable every season of the year. Ensure you maintain physical fitness through regular movement and have fun engaging in this exciting sport. Also, keep in mind, too, that it is a good opportunity to rest your eyes from screen fatigue.

“In addition, the Table Tennis Room is fully equipped with tennis balls and rackets. Also, it's nice to say that there's a table with an automatic player that can practice on your own,” says Bolormaa, MDP, 2023, the former club representative.

“It would be appreciated if you could kindly consider wearing sports shoes while in the table tennis room for your own safety,” she cautions aspiring members.

During practice, club members are required to adhere to some rules in order to keep the place clean and comfortable for everyone.

Bolormaa, the former club representative, said they introduced regulations for the Table Tennis Room. According to the rules, members must wear sports sneakers in the room and collect equipment and trash after playing.

In addition, they have stored glass containers of juice that are kept in the room refrigerator. They usually choose to buy big bottles of juice because they support good health habits and avoid sodas. Also, they buy bananas without any plastic packaging that is harmful to nature.

“In recent times, we preferred to use our tumblers during practice. Most members were carrying their tumblers. I'm pleased to announce that our club has never used a one-time plastic container for snacks during the weekly session,” the proud Bolormaa noted. Welcome to the KDIS Table Tennis Club!

5. Gametopia

Last but not least, Gametopia was also among the 5 clubs that got the Green Awards. Gametopia started as a casual gathering of friends to play Catan, and it evolved into a successful board game club, aiming at sharing the love of board games. According to a Gametopia representative, the mission is to provide an inclusive space for board games enthusiasts at KDIS to share values of social interaction and promote critical thinking and strategic planning skills through games like Catan, Rummikub, Hali Kali and Da Vinchi Code.

“For the green activities, we have 2 strategies: we do not buy single-use plastic items and when buying snacks for the club, we carefully choose the ones that have less impact on the environment, for example, juices in card boxes,” she noted.

“In addition, every time we have a meeting, we remind the members to bring their own tumblers and we also clean the classroom we use and organize it,” she added.

With climate change and global warming becoming global challenges, every small action done towards promoting environmental conservation is a step in the right direction. From bringing reusable tumblers during club activities, to buying snacks that are environmentally friendly, to minimizing waste generated during forum activities, clubs at KDIS have taken great strides towards green action and in retrospect, KDIS Student Affairs appreciated their efforts with the Green Awards. We encourage other clubs to follow suit. Let us conserve the environment together.