Welcome back, dear readers!
A hearty welcome to you all from the Ewha Voice office as I settle into the desk of the Editor-in-Chief, a position that still feels somewhat unfamiliar to me. I could not have imagined myself here two years ago when I joined the organization as an assistant reporter, only a bewildered freshman stumbling through her first year of college.
And indeed, choosing to stick with Ewha Voice was not an easy decision, as it has never failed to remind me every other week. As my colleague right here across this very page suggests, as the school’s official English newspaper, we operate on a very tight schedule that requires no small amount of commitment, dedication, and efficient communication. There are moments of utter discouragement, when all interviews fall through just before the looming deadline, or when the workload simply keeps piling atop your academic obligations. Those moments of claustrophobic panic were overcome with the hard-earned pride I felt after my readers’ positive feedback, and the deep connection I had with my fellow reporters and staff.
Last year was a period for experimentation in many different aspects for Ewha Voice. We launched new sections on the paper, such as the Travel columns, to bring back authentic and useful vacation destinations from our reporters. We began our biweekly newsletter subscription, keeping our readers well in the loop for the publishing of new editions. In fact, the newsletters were quite the hit that we were able to launch a crossword challenge with special prizes through the platform, an ultimate success and the first of many reader events to come. Last but definitely not least, we have ventured into multimedia platforms, creating a new YouTube channel and focusing on making short video content on Instagram.
While some initiatives were more successful than others, each experience taught us valuable lessons that paved the way for growth as a group. As we embark on this new year, we are embracing new changes and improvements with enthusiasm.
Now you can find both a Social Issues and a Culture article on every edition, located on page three, enabling our readers to keep up to date with both the societal and cultural issues concerning university students. We have also decided to expand and diversify the reach of our Specials, ranging from Photo Specials created by our photographers to Meet the Club, which is expected to feature a variety of on-campus societies and clubs free to join for all students. On the final page of our papers, you will find a section titled Campus Nooks right below our regular Travel columns. Here, we plan to introduce useful tips and tricks as well as special nooks and corners from around the campus, delivered straight to readers new to the school from us seasoned Ewha natives. Starting a few editions down the line, we also have a brand-new Seoul Spotlight section planned, a curation of local spots and destinations within the city that are perfect for day trips during the weekends.
This year, we plan to strive to return to and rebuild the core values of a university newspaper – community engagement, integrity, and relevance – through always remaining responsive to our readers’ interests and needs.
This edition marks the beginning of a journey – a long journey of dedication, integrity, and connection. As we launch into this new chapter, it is important to acknowledge that perfection is not our goal. At the end of the day, we are but a team of students, learning and growing with each edition. Your feedback, whether praise or constructive criticism, is deeply invaluable to us. So, as you flip through these pages, dear readers, know that your voice matters to us.