Lee Song-Lee Editor-in-Chief

Kookmin University (KMU) boasts various spaces on campus designed for students' convenience. There are cafeterias, food courts, coffee shops, as well as lounges in many of the college buildings. Since finals are right around the corner, a lot of students are using the study areas and lounges of KMU. This article will explore the different lounge areas located in various college buildings of KMU. Additionally, it will introduce the newest addition to KMU's facilities, the International Student Lounge (CISS Lounge), which opened in Apr. 2024 at the Global Center specifically for the international students.

Bugak Hall
- Fifth floor: K Smart Lounge
- Seventh floor: Study Area
- Ninth floor: Hybrid Workroom

College of Design
- Second floor: KMU Spatial Design Lounge

College of Law
- Second floor: Student Lounge

College of Science
- Third floor: EUREKA Zone

College of Economics and Commerce
- First floor: Hall of Economics and Commerce

College of Engineering
- B1: K Smart Lounge

College of Business Administration
- B1: Study Area
- Fifth floor: PC Lab

International Hall
- Third floor: Project Lounge Student Union
- Third floor: Study Area by Student Council

Mirae Hall
- Fourth floor: Self-Driving Car Studio
- Fourth floor: K Smart Lounge Global Center
- First floor: KMU International Student Lounge (CISS Lounge)

INTERVIEW

Questions

Q1. How did you first learn about the new CISS Lounge?

Q2. Do you frequently use the CISS Lounge? Why do you specifically use the CISS Lounge despite there being a lot of study areas and lounges at KMU?

Q3. Have you used other lounges at KMU? What do you think is a distinguishable factor of the CISS Lounge compared to the others at KMU?

Q4. What are some inconveniences you have faced while using the CISS Lounge? Please also share any suggestions for improvement.

Answers

Ngo Thi Thuy Dung
(Vietnam·Business Administration, Sophomore)

A1: “I got to know about the new CISS Lounge because I saw a post on their Instagram page to promote the new lounge for the international students.” 

A3: “I have used a lot of the various lounges at KMU, especially the Project Lounge on the third floor of the College of Business Administration. Compared to the other lounges, I think the CISS Lounge is special because there is a napping and relaxing area. Also, it is free most of the time compared to the other lounges, so I don't have to wait for a seat at CISS Lounge.” 

Nosir Sulaymonov
(Uzbekistan·Computer Science Software Engineering, Freshman )

A2: “I come to the CISS Lounge around three to four times a week. I usually come between my classes. Sometimes I also go to the Bugak Hall’s fifth floor lounge because it opens until 10:00 p.m. every day. I come to CISS Lounge because there are a lot of foreigners here, so I usually come to talk to them.” 

A3: “Yes, I have been to the lounges in Bugak Hall and the one in the College of Engineering since my major is computer science. I think that the CISS Lounge, compared to the ones in other buildings, is a calm environment for me as a foreign student. Also, since there are less students here, it is easier for me to study.” 

A4: “I think the lounge has a very convenient environment for the students to use. The main issue that I have is that the CISS Lounge is only open until 5:00 p.m. It is inconvenient for me because I like to study here later than 5:00 p.m. During the midterm period, it was open until 9:00 p.m. which was good. However, I wish it would open until 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. during the whole semester. If that improvement could be made, it would be great.” 

Ylva Bente
(Netherland·Kookmin International Business School, Freshman)

A1: “Through the Global Center! The teacher at the center told us about it.” 

A2: “I do not use it that often because it is pretty far from where I usually have all my classes, however I have been there a few times because of school activities.” 

A4: “It is a bit far away from my classes, otherwise it is great.” 

THE KOOKMIN REVIEW hopes to have provided valuable information to KMU students regarding the available study areas and lounges on campus. We hope that all students feel encouraged to freely and actively use the spaces provided by KMU for their academic and personal needs. 

songleelee@kookmin.ac.kr