Chapter 14: I Tore Apart the Orientation……
Five days before school started.
“As expected, it’s nice to have a god car.”
It was my impression of the first test drive.
Some complain about the lack of convenience compared to the price, but for me, perhaps because it was my first car, it didn’t feel inconvenient at all.
More than anything, I really liked the thought and angular design unique to Volkswagen.
It had a clunky feel to it, but even that felt masculine.
With a new car, new clothes, and even a freshly styled hair after an early morning trip to the salon, I set off on my first day to school.
With a heart full of excitement, I took hold of the steering wheel for more than twenty minutes.
Finally, the main gate of Hanyeong University came into view.
As I drove closer to the gate, the license plate recognition system barrier lifted.
They say Hanyeong University was built on a hill, and indeed, the terrain was mostly uphill.
On the sidewalk next to the road, students were gathered, climbing up as if ascending a mountain.
I navigated through the crowd and entered the underground parking lot of a building a little away from the main building.
“This place is quite spacious.”
There were only a few cars scattered in the wide parking space, making it easy to park.
After getting out of the car, I took out my phone from my bag.
“Let’s see… where was the orientation venue again?”
Orientation, commonly referred to as ‘OT’ for short, was a session where unfamiliar freshmen were introduced to essential aspects of university life, such as an overview of their departments and how to register for classes.
“Where on earth is the Business Administration building?”
Navigating through buildings that resembled a maze, asking students for directions, I finally arrived at the Department of Business Administration.
[Department of Business Administration]
The entrance, adorned with stylish fonts, stood out against the sophisticated modern gray building.
Feeling like a country bumpkin visiting Seoul for the first time, I looked around nervously.
“Nice…”
Posters on the bulletin board and banners claiming various accreditations made me realize that this was indeed a university.
Taking my time to explore the lobby, I took the elevator up to the 7th floor auditorium.
Buzzing with excitement, the hall was already bustling with many freshmen.
According to the guide, orientation was being conducted for both freshmen and transfer students.
Soon, the dean’s welcome message was followed by introductions from the administrative team and brief academic guidance.
Despite their earnest efforts, it didn’t quite resonate with me.
“Is this it?”
Feeling slightly disappointed by the rather bland conclusion of the orientation, two men suddenly appeared, holding up signs and calling out.
“Attention, transfer students of the Department of Business Administration, please gather here!”
Around a dozen students, both male and female, gathered around the men, and naturally, I followed suit.
“Hello, I’m Min Chan-gi, who took over as the head of the transfer student department last year. I’m going to share valuable tips that are essential for school life, so please follow me.”
With the promise of valuable tips, how can I just pass it?
Along with my peers, I followed Min Chan-gi down the stairs like chicks following their mother hen, as he led us to Classroom 301.
I took a seat in the back and carefully examined the faces of those who arrived inside.
‘They all look young…’
It was obvious at first glance; their youthful appearance was evident.
There was an awkward atmosphere permeating the classroom.
Shortly after, Min Chan-gi, who introduced himself as the head of transfer student departments, entered the classroom with four other students.
Standing in front of the whiteboard, Min Chan-gi scanned the transfer students. With his moderate height and black horn-rimmed glasses, he embodied the typical image of a university student.
“You all seem a bit awkward, right? Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Min Chan-gi, in charge of the transfer student department for the School of Business.”
We all stared blankly at Min Chan-gi’s face.
“Since it feels awkward, how about we clap once?”
Clap clap clap clap clap
Only then did belated applause erupt.
“It’s probably all awkward since everything is new. We felt the same way. But that’s just because you’re not used to it. Honestly, there isn’t much difference between the university you used to attend and this one. But I’m sure you have questions you want to ask, right?”
Min Chan-gi seemed to have an extroverted personality, completely at ease speaking in front of people.
“First, you might be curious if there’s any discrimination between transfer students and regular students here. To cut to the chase, there isn’t any discrimination. No, more precisely, we don’t even pay attention to whether you’re a transfer student or not. You don’t walk around with a special tag saying you’re a transfer, after all. And as for how to register for courses…”
From then on, Min Chan-gi started sharing truly useful tips.
It was evident that he was a senior transfer student, as he selectively provided information that addressed our concerns, just like picking ripe fruit.
Before I knew it, I too was focused on Min Chang-ki’s words, jotting down notes on the important points.
“This atmosphere is different from what I expected.”
I heard that freshmen orientation is supposed to have a lively, youthful vibe with various recreational activities, but the transfer student orientation felt more like a career fair for experienced professionals.
“I’m sure you might be curious about how many credits will be recognized. If you’ve completed your previous studies in business administration, you’ll likely receive credit for about half of the courses.”
Being a graduate of the credit banking system in business administration, I knew that I could get credit for more than half of the courses.
As I nodded with a satisfied smile, I suddenly locked eyes with Min Chan-gi, who was passionately explaining.
“Huh?”
Min Chan-gi, who had abruptly stopped speaking, seemed deeply perplexed as he looked at me seated at the back.
I was also internally taken aback, but I maintained my poker face and continued to gaze at Min Chan-gi.
“Um… Are you… a teaching assistant? Do you need to use this classroom?”
His random mention of an assistant made me wonder as well.
“A teaching assistant?”
“Oh, are you a faculty member then? Is there a seminar scheduled in this classroom? We urgently booked it because there were no empty rooms available…”
It seemed like he had seriously misunderstood something.
“I’m a new transfer student.”
“Ah!”
Even more flustered, Min Chan-gi hastily apologized to me.
“I’m, I’m sorry. You just seemed so mature…”
“Are you saying I look old?”
With a reddening face, Min Chan-gi waved his hands frantically.
“No, no, that’s absolutely not what I meant.”
“Pfft.”
His reaction was so amusing that a light laughter erupted in the classroom.
Thanks to that, the uncomfortably awkward atmosphere in the classroom loosened up considerably.
“Alright, that’s it for the basic orientation. I’m sure you have many more questions. That’s why we’ve arranged a welcome party for you, so those who want to join, please wait here for a moment. There’s absolutely no obligation, so if anyone has other plans, feel free to go ahead.”
With that, Min Chan-gi wrote down some numbers on the whiteboard.
“If you have any questions about campus life, feel free to contact me anytime. But keep in mind, I might be a bit tipsy at night, so it’s better to reach out during the day.”
Another burst of laughter erupted at Min Chan-gi’s playful comment.
Shortly after, without a single dropout, all twelve of us expressed our intention to attend the welcome party.
“Shall we head to the nearby chicken joint I’ve booked? Just follow me. It’s not far.”
Once again, like chicks following their mother hen, we arrived at the nearby chicken joint behind Min Chan-gi.
Upon arrival, all the settings were neatly arranged on a long table, apparently prepared in advance.
“Boss, we’re here.”
“Ah, Student Chan-gi, wait a moment. I’m frying chicken right now, so I’ll bring it out soon.”
Min Chan-gi seemed to have a decent relationship with the chicken joint owner.
As we took our seats one by one, I ended up sitting directly on the right side of Min Chan-gi.
“Is there someone who can’t drink?”
No one raised their hand.
It seemed like everyone had come prepared.
“Great. Auntie, please bring us 500ml of beer each. And two bottles of soju.”
“Sure thing, coming right up.”
As the staff diligently brought out the chicken and drinks, the table quickly became lively.
“Alright, as your senior in the department, let me make a brief toast before we all cheer together.”
Min Chan-gi raised his beer glass as he stood up.
“Regardless of age, as a senior who transferred here, I know better than anyone how hard you’ve worked to earn your admission. Really… You’ve worked so hard. You won’t regret coming to this school. It’s a great place. You can be proud of yourself. Let’s all say ‘cheers’ and celebrate with toast. One. Two. Three!”
“Gosaenghada!”
– Cheers!
“Wow!”
For some reason, my heart fluttered. It was evident to me, as well as everyone present, how much we had all sacrificed to get here.
As the feeling of finally being rewarded and recognized sunk in, my heart swelled with pride.
“Wow, is this real?”
“Awesome! I went to that academy too. We must have bumped into each other at some point.”
“Wow. The teacher’s lectures were good, but he tended to favor girls a bit…”
As the alcohol flowed, the transfer students quickly bonded and started to enjoy themselves as if they had never felt awkward around each other.
With many relatable experiences to share, they quickly became friends.
Min Chan-gi, who was sitting next to me, handed me a beer glass.
“I was rude earlier. Let’s have a drink as an apology.”
“Haha, it’s okay. What’s there to apologize for? But do I really look that old?”
Min Chan-gi, who was scrutinizing my face, scratched his head awkwardly, seemingly embarrassed.
“It’s not that. It’s just that something felt different, so I got confused.”
“Different?”
“Usually, transfer students come in a bit awkward or overly stiff. But hyung was different. What can I say… You seemed really relaxed.”
Perhaps it was because I was used to managing my expressions during my life at sea.
“But am I your ‘hyung’?”
“What? You’re not my ‘hyung’? How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-eight. My name is Song Dae-woon.”
“Haha, you’re my ‘hyung’ then. I’m twenty-five.”
As Min Chan-gi and I chatted about various things, I found his cheerful and easygoing personality quite likable.
As the atmosphere relaxed a bit, Min Chan-gi, with flushed cheeks, suddenly stood up.
“Alright! Can I say a few words?”
“Wow! The leader is speaking, we should listen.”
“Ahem… Even if that’s true, you guys are classmates who you will be seeing for a long time, maybe even for life. But we haven’t even properly introduced ourselves yet. So how about we take turns standing up and giving a brief introduction with our age, name, and a few words about ourselves? I’ll start first.”
The noisy chicken restaurant fell silent in an instant, and all eyes turned to Min Chang-ki.
“As I mentioned, my name is Min Chang-ki, and I’m twenty-five. I originally attended a provincial university, but after my military discharge, I prepared rigorously for transfer and barely made it here. I look forward to getting along well with everyone.”
Applause followed.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap
“Shall we start from the left?”
One by one, people stood up and continued with brief introductions.
As expected of transfer students, there were many with diverse backgrounds and histories.
“I failed in business and went bankrupt…”
“Nice to meet you. I was studying abroad in the United States, but then my family…”
“After being teased for going to a low-tier university in the military…”
“My ex-girlfriend is at this school…”
The reasons for transferring were varied.
Still, it was surprisingly interesting to listen to, and I found myself unconsciously paying attention.
Eventually, it was my turn, the last one in line.
Sadly, there wasn’t even anyone older than me, let alone someone of the same age.
I stood up silently and glanced at the room.
Somehow, the atmosphere seemed slightly heavier, and I felt like I needed to quickly finish my introduction.
“My name is Song Dae-woon. I’m already twenty-eight years old. Unlike all of you, this is my first-time experiencing university. I didn’t know about the world, so I ended up in huge debt, and spent four years in the middle of the South Pacific catching things like tuna and squid.”
An awkward silence fell over the chicken restaurant at this overwhelming TMI.
But why were even the waitress and the chicken restaurant owner looking at me?
In an attempt to lighten the mood, I added another comment.
“By the way, if anyone’s interested, I can tell you how to differentiate between male and female tuna. Or maybe… How about swimming with wild dolphins?”
A heavy silence descended as everyone stared at me with blank expressions.
I suddenly felt a sense of regret.
I felt like I wanted to tear my hair out when I realized my mistake.
‘Aah, what was I even saying about tuna? I should have gone with something friendlier like squid.’
But to my surprise, the reaction was quite different from what I expected.
TL Note: The phrase “고생했다” (Gosaenghada) is a Korean expression that translates to “We worked hard” in English.
