Across cultures and beliefs, certain moments can unite people in meaningful ways.

Students gathered to celebrate Eid al-Adha

At KDI School in Sejong City, these two themes came to life during Eid al-Adha on May 27 and Korea’s Nakhwa Festival on May 16. For many Muslim students, celebrating Eid al-Adha at KDI School was about community and observing tradition. Organized by members of the Muslim community, the event brought together students from diverse cultural backgrounds for a few hours of sharing prayers, food, and stories.

Daffaa Al-Ghiffari from Indonesia preaching and delivering the sermon

One organizer, Daffaa Dewa Al-Ghiffari (MPP, Indonesia) shared, “This event was organized because we wanted to create a sense of home for students who are spending this important occasion away from their families. At KDIS, we believe that events similar to this allow us to share our culture and traditions with others."

Gift packs prepared by the Muslim community

The celebration also reflected the spirit of generosity that is central to Eid al-Adha. Student volunteers prepared small gift packs, containing snacks and greeting cards. These were distributed across campus, introducing Eid and its significance to the broader student community.

The event carried a more personal weight to many attendees as it was their first Eid away from home and family. As Muhammad Tanveer Amjad (MDP, Pakistan) said, “Being away from home during major celebrations can feel lonely. But here, being surrounded by Muslim students from different countries, with each bringing their own version of the tradition, I felt that there was something quietly beautiful about it.”

Hana Farma and other organizers/volunteers for the event

Indonesian student Hanavia Helfials Farma (MPP) also expressed a similar sentiment, noting that despite busy academic schedules, the gathering fostered a strong sense of belonging. "For me, celebrating Eid al-Adha at KDI School is a reminder that even while living far from home, I can still stay connected to my faith and identity. Being surrounded by friends and professors who respect and appreciate our celebration makes it even more meaningful. It makes me feel welcomed and reminds me that diversity is something that is truly valued in this school."

For some students, celebrating Eid at KDI School reflects intentional faith. “Back home, Eid happens automatically because the whole society stops. In Korea, you have to choose to make it special. Finding a way to celebrate amidst a busy graduate schedule makes your commitment to your beliefs feel much more personal, intentional, and deeply rooted,” Dian Paramita Sularso (MPM, Indonesia) explained.

Nakhwa Festival in Sejong City

This spirit of finding meaning in celebration extended beyond the campus, where students also took part in the Nakhwa Festival, a traditional Korean cultural event held for Buddha's birthday. Known for its striking display of falling sparks, the event was also highlighted by the traditional performances, and lantern displays within the Sejong Lake Park. The falling-embers effect is created by cylindrical bundles of oak charcoal powder wrapped in hanji, a traditional Korean handmade paper. When lit, they release sparks that drift gently like flower petals.

Dian Sularso and her friends attending the Nakhwa Festival

Attending the festival allowed students to experience a once-fading ritual up-close, while learning about its recent revival and deeper cultural significance. Historically associated with purification rituals and community gatherings, Nakhwa is performed to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune and well wishes to the communities.

Ilham Nurrahmadi during Eid

“Before coming to Korea, I never thought much about the meaning behind traditions in my own country. I simply accepted them as part of my life,” Ilham Shidqi Nurrahmadi (MPP, Indonesia) admitted.

However, attending the Nakhwa festival left a personal impact on him. “Being part of a diverse community such as KDI School made me realize how little I knew about my own traditions,” he shared. “Seeing others celebrate their culture with pride and reverence inspired me to reconnect with my own.”

Following Eid, Habib Raza and other attendees share a quiet moment of connection

Both traditions come from different religious backgrounds, yet students agree that celebrating them points to a shared message. At their core, they reflect the importance of pausing and reconnecting with what truly matters. As Habib Raza (MPP, Pakistan) observed, “During Eid, we pray for blessings, express gratitude, and strengthen our relationships with others. At the Nakhwa Festival, I could also feel a sense of community, celebration, and collective goodwill among the attendees. While the forms of celebration were different, both events brought people together and encouraged appreciation for something larger than ourselves, whether faith, culture, history, or community.”

In celebrating Eid al-Adha and the Nakhwa Festival, students at KDI School show that cultural exchange goes beyond understanding and respecting differences. By participating in these traditions, students gain a deeper understanding of other cultures while also becoming more aware of their own identities. And ultimately, in these quiet moments of reflection, we discover and reflect that the values we share as human beings are not so different after all.