On the Ewha campus, it is easy to spot students individually getting to their classes, doing their own work, or just simply wandering around alone. These individualistic traditions on campus allow students to focus on their own lives without concerning themselves with how they are perceived by others. However, this culture can also induce loneliness and isolation among students. While this unique culture is one of many aspects Ewha students adore about Ewha, some underscore its possibly destructive nature of instigating lonesome isolation.
Professor Harris Hyun-soo Kim from the Department of Sociology described individualism as a way of defining one’s identity more with reference to the person, and less in terms of others. While he agreed with the benefits of individualism on campus, mentioning that it allows you not to be subject to peer pressure and enjoy greater autonomy, he also acknowledged the downside of individualism — the desire to refuse participation in group activities.
For a more accurate understanding of how prevalent these individualistic actions are on the Ewha campus, Ewha Voice conducted a survey of 31 Ewha students.
The results of the survey revealed that 86.2 percent of Ewha students have indeed experienced individualism on campus. Individualism most significantly prevailed under circumstances of socializing among fellow students, lack of school festivities, and striving for high academic achievement. Many respondents expressed that there are few festivities within each department and even on the school level. There is also a lack of interaction among students of each grade. Some felt that instead of collaborating and studying together, students tend to carry out their academic endeavors independently.
Opinions on this prevalence of individualism on campus differed. 67 percent were complacent or satisfied with Ewha’s individualistic culture, for it allowed them to not fixate on others’ perception of them and instead focus on their own lives at college. However, the rest of the respondents were discontent since it could make students more prone to loneliness and isolation.
Jung Min Lee, a freshman from the Division of International Studies, revealed that though she is not necessarily against this tendency on campus, it seems that there should be more means for students to get along with each other.
“Campus life is not just about grades, it is also about making new friends, meeting new people, and experiencing new things,” said Lee. “College is a place where young adults can practice becoming more well-rounded, especially in regard to maintaining relations.”
Seoyoung Kim, a freshman from the Division of International Studies, held a different perspective on the issue of individualism on campus. Kim expressed her preference toward Ewha’s individualistic campus culture, emphasizing its positive effect of allowing students to not have to conform to anyone else’s standards or schedules.
“Since Ewha is a women’s university, I do feel that there is a better sense of understanding amongst the students,” Kim expressed. “There is more common ground; therefore students respect each other more, which I believe may have affected the prevalence of individualism on our campus.”
While the gender of Ewha’s student body may have influenced its individualistic culture, it is more deeply rooted in the history and values of the university. Ewha holds great pride in being the first women’s university in Korea and one of the largest women’s universities in the world. It is important to understand that pride is rooted in independence, or more specifically, women’s independence. Professor Kim articulated how under an extremely patriarchal society, Ewha educated women to be strong and independent. This is the philosophy and pride of Ewha, which inevitably would influence its culture.
“Ewha prides itself for pioneering female education in our nation, so there is inevitably a lot of competition, individual thinking, and independence — it is an unspoken value,” Professor Kim added.
With differing opinions on Ewha’s individualistic campus culture, reaching a good middle ground must be prioritized. Professor Kim advised the implementation of more interaction-based student activities and events.
“I highly advocate having more student club activities,” asserted Professor Kim. “I think that is very important. It is healthy, for we are all social animals.”