The GIST International Students Association is the official organization of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) international community, composed of registered graduate students, researchers, and intern students. By Spring 2012, it was formally registered and has then been recognized by the GIST administration and the Section of International and Public Affairs (IPA), now known
as Section of International Cooperation (SIC). Since its establishment, GISA has been the source of cooperation and solidarity among the international members of GIST. Through its events and its online meeting place (Facebook group), the members not only gain friends and companions while living far from their families, but they also receive helpful advice and guidance from the previous and current foreign students. GISA members share useful information on various topics: how to adapt to Korean lifestyle and culture, where to hang out in Gwangju, and even what software and equipment to use for research. As the international community in GIST continues to grow, GISA will also grow and continue being the avenue for unity and collaboration among the foreign students. History of GISA:
At the beginning of 2011, five international students of GIST got together and dreamed of having a better, happier life during their stay here in GIST. They dreamed of an environment wherein all international students are accepted, recognized, and respected by GIST: the administration, the professors, and all the students, Koreans and foreigners alike. Pioneered by Joe Somwang, Doungkamon Phihusut, Damien Decremer, Kongkea Phan, and Lei Liu, and with the support of Prof. Han Seunghee (SESE), the GIST International Students Club (GIS Club) was formed in order to be a support group for all GIST international members. Whether it is for processing documents, for talking to GIST admin, for helping a freshman, or simply just for companionship and for escaping the sometimes routine and stressful life in the lab, GIS Club was established by the internationals, for the internationals. In 2012, with the help of Oliver Han who translated the GIST documents from Korean to English, GIS Club was successfully registered to the GIST Section of Academic and Student Affairs. As an officially recognized organization, GIS Club was supported by the GIST administration and was even given a room in the dormitory to become its office. Under the leadership of Oliver Han, Mojtaba Raznahan, Indah Ardingsi, and Hannah Ebro, events such as the Introductory Meeting for Freshmen and General Assembly were organized. And in Spring 2013, through an election, it adopted the name GIST International Students Association (GISA) and established the foundations of the association through the GISA Declaration of Principles. Upon formalization of the aspects of the association, rules were set, members’ rights and duties were affirmed, and a logo that stands for GISA was created (logo artist: Joey Ocon). From then on, the organization has never stopped moving forward—forward unto the goal of supporting all GIST international members living far from their families and forward unto making a foreigner’s life in GIST a little less difficult and a little more fun.
