On March 26, the “2026 Spring Ewha–Global Division Korean Writing Contest” was successfully held at the ECC Conference Hall of Ewha Womans University. 
The contest was designed to strengthen the self-directed Korean language proficiency and academic foundational skills of Global Division students who have completed at least one semester. In particular, it aimed to motivate students preparing to enter their majors and enhance their academic readiness. Participating students had a meaningful opportunity to reflect on themselves while assessing the Korean language skills they had diligently developed.
Now in its second iteration, the contest was especially significant as it transitioned from an online format to an in-person event, increasing student engagement and immersion. A total of 41 students (40 pre-registered and 1 on-site registration) who had completed at least one semester in the Global Division took part. Participants were divided according to their TOPIK levels: 12 students in Jin (TOPIK Levels 5–6), 24 in Seon (TOPIK Levels 3–4), and 4 in Mi (TOPIK Levels 1–2), allowing them to demonstrate their abilities at an appropriate level.
In celebration of Ewha’s 140th anniversary, this year’s theme was “Ewha and Me.” Students expressed, with sincerity, the excitement and joy they experienced alongside Ewha in a new and unfamiliar country, as well as their aspirations for the future. 
The event began with a warm opening address by Kim Jihye, Dean of the Global Division, who welcomed participants by saying, “This contest is not merely an evaluation of your skills, but a festival where you can fully showcase the Korean language abilities you have cultivated. I hope you freely write about Ewha as it lives in your hearts.” This was followed by an encouraging speech from Lee Haeyoung, Dean of the Scranton College, who remarked, “The decision to express your thoughts and emotions in Korean is itself a beautiful challenge. Every line you write will become a meaningful record engraved upon Ewha’s 140-year history.”
During the approximately 90-minute contest, students devoted themselves to writing, creating an atmosphere that was both serious and filled with passion. A post-event satisfaction survey recorded an exceptionally high score of 4.8 out of 5. Participants shared that it was “a meaningful opportunity to assess their Korean language skills” and expressed hope for more diverse participatory programs in the future.
The 2026 Spring Ewha–Global Division Korean Writing Contest was recognized as a valuable platform for international students in the Global Division to develop a sense of belonging within the Ewha community and to confidently express their own voices through Korean writing.
Photo credit: Ewha Campus Press.
