Some 617 graduates and current students who served in Keimyung University's overseas volunteer corps gathered to share memories of their service and present a development fund of 12.06 million won ($9,120) for future volunteers.
The university held its 4th Overseas Volunteer Corps Homecoming Day at the gymnasium of its Seongeo Campus on Saturday.
Participants shared their overseas volunteer experiences and strengthened ties between alumni and current students. Including the latest contribution, the cumulative development fund now stands at 30.17 million won.
Choi Jong-guk, 45, a food processing engineering alumnus who served with the summer 2007 overseas volunteer corps, presented the fund on behalf of donors.
Im Jae-klin, 55, who delivered remarks on behalf of the participants, said the reunion brought back a flood of emotions. "It's deeply moving to see again the colleagues I met in an unfamiliar land more than 20 years ago," he said. "Our volunteer work may be over, but the bonds and the spirit of sharing we built together live on to this day."
Keimyung University's overseas volunteer program launched in 2002 and has since run 153 missions across 17 countries, with a cumulative total of 5,131 participants.
Most of the program's operating costs are covered by Keimyung 1% Love Sharing, a nonprofit funded by faculty and staff donations. Voluntary development fund contributions from former volunteers add to that support, sustaining the university's tradition of giving.
Vice President for Student Affairs Do Dal-hyeon said overseas volunteering is an educational process in which participants help others while learning and growing at the same time. "The sight of alumni sharing their hearts for the benefit of their juniors is a cherished tradition of the Keimyung overseas volunteer corps," he said.
Meanwhile, Keimyung University plans to dispatch a total of 105 overseas volunteers — 35 each to Thailand, Vietnam and Laos — during the 2026 winter break to improve educational environments, provide educational services and promote cultural exchange.
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
