Warm Exchange Between Professors and Students — Korea University Business School
Successfully Concludes ‘Mentoring Day’ 

Korea University Business School (KUBS) held the 2025 Fall Semester Faculty Mentoring Day from Monday, October 27 to Wednesday, October 29, spanning three days. Mentoring Day is an annual event designed to provide KUBS students with the opportunity to meet their academic advisors for guidance on academic and career development, as well as to promote open communication between professors and students. This year’s program focused on helping students share the challenges they encounter in university life and refine their career directions through one-on-one consultations with professors. The event, held at Young-Il Ahn Hall and Cuckoo Seminar Room in the LG-POSCO Building, was open to students enrolled in Freshman Seminar II, who registered in advance based on their availability. 

On the first day, professors and students gathered around ten pre-assigned tables to share lunch and snacks while discussing various aspects of campus life. The atmosphere was lively as participants exchanged experiences and stories. Professor Young Kyu Kim brought several books he thought would be useful to students and distributed them, fostering a warm and friendly mood. He also led discussions on artificial intelligence and offered personalized advice regarding students’ double majors and career paths. International students actively participated in the mentoring sessions in English. Professors and students listened attentively to one another, occasionally sharing laughter in a relaxed and pleasant setting. Professor Weon Sang Yoo remarked, “Since many students had questions about their future paths, I shared how I discovered my own career direction in the past. We also discussed things I recommend doing during university, as well as exchange programs.” Student Seo Jin Kim (Business Administration, Class of 2025) reflected, “I had many questions about my career, but through my conversation with the professor, I was able to gain a clearer sense of direction.” Professors and students spent about an hour engaging in genuine, meaningful conversation, strengthening their bond in the process. 

On the second day, nine tables were arranged in Cuckoo Hall and twelve in Young-Il Ahn Hall, where students sat with their respective academic advisors to share meals and discuss campus life and career development. Professor Jong-Ho Lee recommended Capitalism as a must read for business students and presented personally prepared copies to participants. Sharing stories from his own college days, he encouraged students to “take on diverse challenges during university life,” fostering a friendly and open atmosphere. Although the conversations began a bit formally, they soon became natural and engaging as laughter and empathy filled the room. Lighthearted jokes were exchanged, and the session ended in a warm and cheerful mood. Professor Sunwoo Hwang, who also participated that day, remarked, “I listened to students share their interests and career concerns and tried to offer advice that could be of help. Rather than leading a one-way conversation, I enjoyed hearing about their daily lives, campus experiences, and even their favorite sports.” Student Ji-An Ryu (Business Administration, Class of 2025), who spoke with Professor Hwang, shared, “I was initially worried that the atmosphere might feel too formal, but our conversation turned out to be very natural and personal. It helped me feel closer to my professor, which was truly meaningful.” 

On the final day, students once again gathered around round tables with their academic advisors, greeting one another with a mix of warmth and slight awkwardness before beginning lighthearted conversations over a simple meal. Professor Thummim Cho eased the atmosphere by asking students how they had been since the recent exams, fostering a friendly environment filled with smiles and laughter. They shared stories about clubs, grades, and various aspects of campus life, deepening the sense of connection between professors and students. At Professor Min Jung Kim’s table, participants switched to English to include an international student in the conversation. When the student responded with a few words in Korean, the others applauded and laughed in encouragement, further enhancing the cheerful and inclusive mood. 

As the event was designed primarily for first-year students — many of whom are beginning to explore their career paths — most of the discussions centered on individual interests and future goals. Professors asked students about their plans and aspirations, offering advice and exchanging insights tailored to each student’s area of interest. They also drew on their own experiences to recommend meaningful activities such as enhancing English communication skills, participating in exchange programs, and developing a reading habit.

The 2025 Fall Semester Faculty Mentoring Day, held over three days, concluded as a meaningful occasion that encouraged open and genuine conversations between professors and students about career goals and everyday life. Through the program, the connection between faculty and students grew stronger, helping students gain confidence in their campus life and build closer, more personal relationships with their mentors. 

A Korea University Business School representative remarked, “Mentoring Day is more than just an academic advising session — it is a time for professors and students to build mutual understanding and trust. We will continue to enhance this program so that students can maintain ongoing dialogue with their advisors and explore their paths of growth together.”