The time has come for me to say farewell to The Postech Times. In Korea, we graduate from elementary, middle, and high school every three years, and just like that, I am about to retire from The Postech Times. The Postech Times, with cherishing memories, have shaped not only who I am as a student but also as a person stepping into adulthood in society. It might be worth reflecting on how these years have helped me grow. 

As a freshman, I joined The Postech Times with a passion for journalism, which was a new challenge for me. From the very first day, getting familiar with various writing guidelines, truly hit me—I had become part of a press. I was not the kind of person who enjoyed writing. However, that made my time at The Postech Times even more valuable. I wrote articles that I would not have written on my own, and sometimes tried to write with more sensitivity, trying to effectively communicate the message to others. As I got into the habit of writing and started producing at least one or two pieces a month, I even began to develop an interest in writing.

By covering school events, I was able to enjoy and experience many aspects of college life that I might have otherwise missed. If it had not been for The Postech Times, I would have spent time in my dorm hooked on my laptop. Instead, I found myself participating and reporting on events like the POSTECH-KAIST Science War, the Sunrise Festival, and the STadium. Also, interviewing people all over the campus and exploring various organizations gave me a slightly broader perspective on the world.

I realized that even while reporting within the bounds of this small college, there were important things to learn, like how society works. It made me think that if just slightly stepping outside the classroom could teach me this much, there must be even greater lessons waiting out there in the world beyond.

The Postech Times reporters had the opportunity to travel abroad to cover foreign universities. Through reportage, I learned about research methodologies and also experienced the culture of another country, hearing from not only professors but also students and local citizens. Stepping away from simply memorizing theories and solving textbook problems, I got to taste the real world—something difficult to experience within the boundaries of school but essential to becoming a skilled and contributing member of society. This experience made me rethink how I want to navigate my school life in the short term and my overall life in the long term. 

POSTECH is the place where a small group of people passionate about science and engineering gather in a somewhat isolated environment. For some people, this can act as a weakness, experiencing limited interactions with those within the STEM fields. Contrarily, at universities, students have opportunities to grow by meeting peers from diverse backgrounds, including the humanities, arts, and sports. At POSTECH, it is easy to become surrounded only by those with similar interests in STEM field.

What I appreciated most about The Postech Times was the opportunity to meet people who were not only focused on science and engineering but also passionate and talented in the non-STEM field. Perhaps because it is a place for writing news, the conversations and overall interactions felt quite different from those I had with close peers in my department. I will truly miss the time at The Postech Times. Best wishes!