University Celebrations: NDSU Hoco and Konkuk Festival

It seems typical for universities around the world to have some form of celebration that recognizes the success of the university, those that support and uphold it and its students, while engaging in several celebratory activities and displays of school spirit. Traveling abroad to study, I didn't give thought to the possibility of my host university having a festival similar to the homecoming I know back at NDSU. In fact, the idea of a series of days made up of celebration regarding the university and its students never crossed my mind, but why wouldn't such an event exist overseas at other universities? Ironically enough, both my home university — NDSU — and my host university — Konkuk — had their homecoming and festival this week. So, how do they compare to each other, and what differences in their events bring forth the values and cultures they hold and portray?

Beginning with NDSU, the major celebration here is homecoming, a week filled with various events fueled by expressions of school spirit, with the culmination of it all being an NDSU football game. During the week, students often have the opportunity to engage in various activities that are put on by several NDSU clubs on campus. For example, Campus Attractions held a Bison Blooms event that allowed students to create their own bouquets while simultaneously wishing a happy homecoming. Additionally, students are given the chance to decorate their hair with tinsel and buy homecoming t-shirts in preparation for the bison pride-filled weekend ahead. Furthermore, the Friday night before the big football game brings students, faculty and alumni all together at Churchill Field and North University Drive to enjoy different activities like merch tables, blowups, outdoor games, food trucks and the annual homecoming parade. Ultimately, Saturday arrives, and the big day brings NDSU football fans and students from all across campus to the Fargodome for an excitement-driven, highly enthusiastic football game, prepped for with tailgating and followed by continued festivities as the night grows dark. As NDSU is my home base, this is my typical knowledge of university celebration, but it's not quite what it looks like halfway across the world at Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea.

At my host university in Korea, everything that isn't academics is quite separate from the university itself. There are several clubs that offer opportunities to participate in sports and other interests, but Konkuk doesn't have integrated sports systems in its campus life like NDSU; sports are more casual and not something that defines colleges as they do in the United States. Therefore, university festivals here are not focused on sports but rather on the gathering of students for little activities, food and music. In fact, the major event looked forward to at most Korean universities is a multi-night lineup of musical performers. Food, music and shared casual time were the prominent activities at Konkuk's Fall Festival. The focus on these elements definitely creates a different atmosphere when compared to NDSU's more intensive, sport-centered homecoming.

There are still some evident similarities between the two colleges’ celebrations. Specialized merch for the celebration is available at both universities: NDSU with homecoming t-shirts (and additional bookstore merch) and Konkuk with jerseys, bananas, scarves and a few other mascot-themed merchandise. Furthermore, drinking provides a common ground for connection, which happens at the tailgate on Saturday morning before the big NDSU game and each night of the two-day festival at Konkuk. Both focus on bringing the university communities together for collective experiences, allowing for some downtime from academics and engagement in school spirit in their varying forms.

In comparison, NDSU’s emphasis on its interdependence with athletics as a defining aspect of its identity as a university alludes to the deep importance it holds of sports, competition and pride. Culturally, this is seen as very important to American universities and as substantial to the American college experience. On the other hand, Konkuk University's emphasis on various food options, gathering tables, activity booths and musical performances reveals the cultural significance of social gathering, musical engagement and more reserved pride. In hindsight of experiencing both, I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to participate in each, as both university celebrations had their own positives to offer.

While I definitely feel more connected to NDSU's way of celebration because of the more inherently involved I felt as a student used to the American way of celebration and intense environment, the switch to enjoying musical performances as a form of festivity was deeply enjoyable as well, especially because it fed the music lover in me. Ultimately, my longer time spent at NDSU likely influences my opinion. Though time may sway it one way or another, as Korean universities usually have two such festivals a year: one in the fall semester and another in the spring. It is quite possible that a follow-up article may be needed as advancements in my stance may be made.