[SNU FIT] Beyond the Booths: Three SNU Clubs International Students Can Explore
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2026-09-10
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The first week of the semester brought a familiar sight back to Gwanak Campus: rows of club booths, handmade signs, music and students stopping between classes to see what was going on. From September 1 to 3, the 2026 Fall Club Fair filled 121 booths around the Lawn Square, Student Center and Jahayeon. For an international student, the most useful part may have been the chance to ask one question face to face: “Can I join if I am not fluent in Korean?”
The answer was different at each booth. Here are two groups from the fair, plus one English-first club worth looking up now that the booths have come down.
The SNU Quill: Campus Stories in English
If you like asking questions, writing or working with images, The SNU Quill is a natural place to start. Founded in 2005, it is SNU’s first and only English-language student press. Its members publish one edition each semester, covering campus issues, arts and culture, and stories from Korea and beyond.
Students learn about The SNU Quill at its booth during the 2026 Fall Club Fair. Photo by Phan Bao Duc Phat.
Writing is only part of the work. The team also welcomes photographers, designers and students interested in promotion and event planning. Students from any major may apply, while exchange and graduate students are welcome too. Since the publication is made in English, members can contribute right away and learn about SNU through the people they interview. Recruitment takes place at the beginning of each semester through @snuquill.
SNU Traditional Archery: Starting Close, Aiming Far
At first glance, Korean traditional archery, or gukgung (국궁), looks simple: a bow, an arrow and no sight. The target, however, can stand 145 metres away. SNU’s Traditional Archery Team (서울대학교 국궁부, also known as 설궁) begins much closer. New members learn posture, safety and archery etiquette before moving on to longer distances.
The team practises on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at the auxiliary field near Building 71. Beginners can use shared bows, so there is no need to arrive with equipment or experience. The club has included international members, including some French and Japanese students who joined to explore a Korean form of archery. Korean is the main language visible on its official pages, so students who would like English guidance should contact @snu_k_archery before attending. New members are recruited throughout the semester.
A visitor tries a bow at the SNU Traditional Archery (설궁) booth during the 2026 Fall Club Fair. Photo by club president Seo Yerin (서예린).
SNUDA: Thinking on Your Feet
One more English-first club worth seeking out after the fair is the Seoul National University Debate Association (SNUDA), SNU’s English parliamentary debate association. Members learn to build an argument quickly, respond to unfamiliar topics and speak under time pressure.
You do not need to arrive as a polished public speaker. Debate gives quieter students a reason to speak, listen closely and get to know teammates through ideas rather than small talk. SNUDA is active in 2026 and co-hosted the Korean Intervarsity Debate Association’s national championships at SNU in May. An exchange student has also written about joining early in his SNU semester and later winning a rookie tournament with the team. For news about the next intake, follow SNUDA through its official Facebook or LinkedIn page.
“English-friendly” does not always mean that every conversation will happen in English. Before joining, send a short message with your Korean level and how long you will be at SNU. It makes expectations clear on both sides. Once you start recognising the same faces each week, Gwanak begins to feel much smaller.
Written by Hugo Adam, OGA Supporter
The answer was different at each booth. Here are two groups from the fair, plus one English-first club worth looking up now that the booths have come down.
The SNU Quill: Campus Stories in English
If you like asking questions, writing or working with images, The SNU Quill is a natural place to start. Founded in 2005, it is SNU’s first and only English-language student press. Its members publish one edition each semester, covering campus issues, arts and culture, and stories from Korea and beyond.
Students learn about The SNU Quill at its booth during the 2026 Fall Club Fair. Photo by Phan Bao Duc Phat.
Writing is only part of the work. The team also welcomes photographers, designers and students interested in promotion and event planning. Students from any major may apply, while exchange and graduate students are welcome too. Since the publication is made in English, members can contribute right away and learn about SNU through the people they interview. Recruitment takes place at the beginning of each semester through @snuquill.
SNU Traditional Archery: Starting Close, Aiming Far
At first glance, Korean traditional archery, or gukgung (국궁), looks simple: a bow, an arrow and no sight. The target, however, can stand 145 metres away. SNU’s Traditional Archery Team (서울대학교 국궁부, also known as 설궁) begins much closer. New members learn posture, safety and archery etiquette before moving on to longer distances.
The team practises on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at the auxiliary field near Building 71. Beginners can use shared bows, so there is no need to arrive with equipment or experience. The club has included international members, including some French and Japanese students who joined to explore a Korean form of archery. Korean is the main language visible on its official pages, so students who would like English guidance should contact @snu_k_archery before attending. New members are recruited throughout the semester.
A visitor tries a bow at the SNU Traditional Archery (설궁) booth during the 2026 Fall Club Fair. Photo by club president Seo Yerin (서예린).
SNUDA: Thinking on Your Feet
One more English-first club worth seeking out after the fair is the Seoul National University Debate Association (SNUDA), SNU’s English parliamentary debate association. Members learn to build an argument quickly, respond to unfamiliar topics and speak under time pressure.
You do not need to arrive as a polished public speaker. Debate gives quieter students a reason to speak, listen closely and get to know teammates through ideas rather than small talk. SNUDA is active in 2026 and co-hosted the Korean Intervarsity Debate Association’s national championships at SNU in May. An exchange student has also written about joining early in his SNU semester and later winning a rookie tournament with the team. For news about the next intake, follow SNUDA through its official Facebook or LinkedIn page.
“English-friendly” does not always mean that every conversation will happen in English. Before joining, send a short message with your Korean level and how long you will be at SNU. It makes expectations clear on both sides. Once you start recognising the same faces each week, Gwanak begins to feel much smaller.
Written by Hugo Adam, OGA Supporter