Kang Hyun-Jin Reporter

Many students of Kookmin University (KMU) reside in a university dormitory. Students, who move out of their parents’ house for university, usually stay at the dormitories, including international students.

With this spring semester starting, our school’s dormitory has undergone two significant changes: remodeling some quadruple rooms into double rooms and allowing international students to stay at the on-campus dormitory exclusively.

In the on-campus dormitory B hall, some rooms have been remodeled into double occupancy rooms. According to a dormitory faculty member, due to the relocation of the professors’ office in B hall to another building, empty rooms were converted into double room. Currently, on-campus dormitory B hall offers two types of double rooms: 27 double room A and 20 double room B.

Since the on-campus dormitories previously only offered quadruple rooms, it is expected that students will be pleased with the upgraded facilities. To gauge the reaction to the remodeling, THE KOOKMIN REVIEW interviewed Kim Eun-Jin majoring in EnglishLiterature and Linguistics·24.

1. What would you say are the advantages and disadvantages of the double room?

“Using the on-campus dormitory double room, I feel satisfied with the amount of space compared to a quadruple room. Although the room size is similar to a quadruple room, having fewer people allows me to utilize the space more effectively. However, one drawback is having to share a bunk bed with my roommate, which can be quite inconvenient.”

2. What do you think about the conditions of the dormitory facility? Are you satisfied with the conditions?

“I have mixed feelings. My dormitory has excellent facilities such as a cafeteria, parcel storage, and unmanned convenience stores. However, in B Hall where I am staying, there are microwaves only on the second floor, while water purifiers are available on every floor. So, when I want to use the microwave, I have to go from my floor to the second floor, which is a bit inconvenient.”

Through this interview, THE KOOKMIN REVIEW could learn that double rooms can enhance students’ living conditions. Moreover, THE KOOKMIN REVIEW hopes that more students will have the opportunity to stay in dormitories with improved conditions. The second change in KMU’s dormitory policy is that international students are now required to stay exclusively at the on-campus dormitory starting this semester. Previously, international students could choose between the on-campus dormitory and the Jeongreung dormitory.

THE KOOKMIN REVIEW observed that international students were taken aback by this sudden change without sufficient explanation. To investigate further, THE KOOKMIN REVIEW conducted interviews with some foreign students: Huynh Thi Nhat Vy, majoring School of Business Administration, and Zlata, majoring in KMU International Business School.

1. When and how were you informed about the requirement to use only the on-campus dormitory?

Vy: “I received an email notification on Jan.13 informing me that I could only apply for the on-campus dormitory.”

Zlata: “I learned that I could only live in the on-campus dormitory when registration opened. Initially, I noticed only on-campus registration options, so I inquired with the office about the absence of information regarding other dormitories. That’s when I discovered that I couldn’t choose off-campus dormitories. The office informed me that as an international student, I was restricted to the on-campus dormitory.”

2. What do you think about the situation that you can only use the on-campus dormitory because you are a foreign student?

Vy: “Since the spring semester of 2023, I have resided in the Jeongreung dormitory. I felt embarrassed when I was informed that I could only use the on-campus dormitory. I perceived it as discrimination against foreign students.”

Zlata: “Last semester, I initially applied for an off-campus dormitory, but for unspecified reasons, my assignment was changed to an on-campus one the day before I was due to move in.”

For further clarification, THE KOOKMIN REVIEW attempted to contact the Administrative Office of the Dormitory and received an explanation. According to a faculty member, there were numerous issues with foreign students staying in the dormitory, such as noise problems, absenteeism from roll calls, and failure to adhere to rules. Consequently, to manage foreign students more effectively, the decision was made to limit them to on-campus dormitories.

The dormitory serves as more than just a place for students to reside; for those far from home, it should provide a sense of peace and rest. THE KOOKMIN REVIEW hopes that all students can find satisfaction in the dormitory accommodations.

hyunjinkang1228@kookmin.ac.kr