There are students who do volunteer work to make the world a better place even during their busy campus life. Let’s take a look at the story of ‘WAH-!’, the only volunteer service club at GUGC. They will be there wherever they are needed to share warmth with the community

Q. Hello, can you please tell the readers of IGC Journal about ‘WAH-!’?

Hello! The only volunteer service club at GUGC, ‘WAH-!’ stands for ‘We Are Here- !’ Our goal is to be there with those in need whenever and wherever. Since its establishment in March 2022, about 80 students have joined WAH-! and been consistently sharing their skills and time with the local community. 

Q. What kind of activities does WAH-! carry out now?

WAH-! organizes various activities such as educational volunteering at international schools, volunteer work at a shelter for abandoned dogs, plogging, etc. In particular, volunteer activities focusing on the natural sciences or engineering, such as science experiment-focused work, help increase GUGC student interest in their majors and expertise. Such activities are often about 1~2 hour-long, which makes it easier for busy students to participate in. In addition, club members are required to directly participate in club operations by joining either the External Relationship Team, Public Relations Team, or Secretarial Team. In the process of helping operate a club, they can gain experience in organizational management, an essential skill for leaders, before carving out a career for themselves 

Q. What are the most important things to focus on when selecting such activities?

Our goal is to support the socially disadvantaged and advocate for them. Accordingly, we focus on activities on those that can provide practical help to society. In addition, we have been encouraging our members to participate in volunteer activities that match their unique skills and interests, focusing on activities they can do consistently 

Q. Could you tell us the most memorable episodes you had as a member of WAH-!?

We were volunteering to teach science experiments at an international school and interact with schoolchildren. It was the most memorable part. Preparing a customized curriculum for the children was not as easy as we thought. However, we kept trying, for example, selecting teaching aids that would enhance student learning performance and improving classes based on their feedback and opinions. After finishing my last class, the students said to me, “You'll be coming back, right?” I felt relieved that I had done a good job and got a lump in my throat when I realized that we had really clicked. Since this first event, we have been working with international schools for three semesters now and are working hard to bridge the educational gap in the local community

Q. Could you briefly tell us about your future plans?

In addition to existing activities, in 2025, we are planning to organize more diverse volunteer activities such as gathering donations through fundraising and volunteer campaigns based on SNS. WAH-! will continue to work hard to help its members gain more experiences and reach out to underrepresented places through its various activities. Please stay tuned!  

WAH-! Leader, Baek Eun-bin

WAH-! is always open to all those who enjoy volunteering. Let's heal the world through volunteering

Contact @wearehere_gugc