As universities become increasingly international, campuses are striving to better support students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Recognizing that food is a universal language, SeoulTech recently established the Global Kitchen to accommodate the growing number of international students on campus. For many of them, the ability to prepare traditional dishes, especially those requiring halal preparation or hard-to-find spices, is important for both emotional and physical well-being. More than just a cooking space, Global Kitchen serves as a social hub, where students from different countries can share recipes, exchange cultures, and build a more inclusive campus community.

The SeoulTech interviewed Donghyeon Kim, Team Leader of the Administrative Office, to learn about the purpose of the Global Kitchen and its plans.

Q. What is the purpose of creating the Global Kitchen?

A. The Global Kitchen was created not simply as a convenience facility, but as an essential solution to solve problems that students were facing in the dormitory. Currently, around 600 international students live in the dormitories, but because of cultural differences and varied eating habits, only about 200 students regularly use the dormitory cafeteria. Meanwhile, more than 400 students have been preparing meals on their own.

According to a dormitory-wide inspection conducted in the second half of 2025, many students were found using personal cooking equipment inside their rooms despite using it being prohibited. This raised serious safety and hygiene concerns, especially regarding fire hazards. To address these issues more fundamentally, the dormitory officially established a new 70m2 Global Kitchen on the first floor of Sunglim Female Dormitory.

In the male dormitory building, the existing kitchens on the 8th floor were joined by new spaces on the 9th and 11th floors, making a total of three cooking facilities. Meanwhile, in the Sunglim International Dormitory, where cooking facilities were already available in individual rooms, old sinks and refrigerators were fully upgraded to provide a safer and more hygienic cooking environment.

Q. What effects does the Administrative Office expect from the Global Kitchen?

A. We believe that the Global Kitchen is not simply a facility improvement, but a space that connects students’ daily lives and cultures. For international students, we hope this space allows them to maintain familiar lifestyles, while also experiencing new cultures.

Furthermore, we believe this improvement in the living environment goes beyond increasing convenience. It is also an important investment that can positively affect key indicators related to university internationalization, such as improving international student retention rates, reducing dropout rates, and supporting the Ministry of Education’s internationalization policies.

The administration will continue working to create a safe and inclusive global living environment, where all students can participate and connect with each other.

Q. Are there any plans to hold events in the Global Kitchen?

A. The Global Kitchen will operate as an integrated community space where daily life, culture, and interaction can naturally come together. In the future, we are planning various extracurricular programs such as “Global Cooking Classes,” “International Food and Culture Experience Programs,” and other student participation events. Through these activities, we hope students from different backgrounds can interact more naturally with one another.

In addition, through cooperation with departments related to international exchange, we hope the Global Kitchen will become a representative platform for student communication and interaction on campus.

The SeoulTech has also interviewed students using the Global Kitchen.

Q. How often do you use the Global Kitchen?

A. I use it three times a week.

B. I use it around three times a week.

C. I use it twice a week.

Q. What do you think about the brand-new Global Kitchen?

A. What I love most is how spacious it is. The refrigerator is also great, and being able to use pots and cooking equipment free of charge is really convenient.

B. The large refrigerator is really useful. Besides that, there are many facilities available, which make cooking and storing food much easier.

C. I like that we finally have a proper space to cook. I also like the design because everything feels clean and new.

Q. What aspects would you like to see improved?

A. Sometimes students cook food with very strong smells, so I think ventilation or odor control could be improved.

B. I hope students throw away food they no longer eat. Also, storing food in boxes is somewhat inconvenient.

C. I think having more refrigerators would be helpful.

Q.Do you think cooking at the Global Kitchen helps you save money?

A,B,C. Yes, definitely.

Q. Is there anything you want to say to the Administrative Office regarding the Global Kitchen?

A. First of all, I really want to say thank you. However, my classes often end around 9 p.m., and the Global Kitchen also closes at that time, making it hard for me to use the facility sometimes. I hope the operating hours can be extended in the future.

B. I am truly grateful for the Global Kitchen. I’m making good use of it. I hope everyone continues using this place carefully and responsibly because some students do not properly follow the rules.

As SeoulTech’s international community continues to grow, the Global Kitchen reflects the university’s effort to create a more inclusive and supportive environment, where students from different cultural backgrounds can feel more at home. Although there are aspects that students hope to see improved, many students have expressed appreciation for having a safe and comfortable place to cook and connect with others. Through future programs and continued student participation, the Global Kitchen is expected to grow into a cultural hub that strengthens communication, understanding, and community within SeoulTech.

Reporters

Hyeonseon Namgung

namgung0121@seoultech.ac.kr

Korshunova Anna

annakor@g.seoultech.ac.kr