On Saturday, September 6, 2025, students from the University of Utah Asia Campus spent their weekend giving back to the community at I Love Festa, Songdo’s first bilingual festival held at Songdo Central Park. Organized by the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), I Love Festa was created to promote cultural richness, inclusivity, and community engagement among international and local residents.
Alongside groups like the Global Climate Fund (GCF), Chadwick International, Calvin Manitoba International School, and Samsung Biologics, about 20 volunteers from the University of Utah Asia Campus helped run activity booths throughout the day. The booths were a big hit, offering hands-on experiences such as painting national flag fans, trying on flag tattoo stickers, and making country-themed bracelets. These activities weren’t just for kids—visitors of all ages had the chance to connect, learn, and enjoy cultural exchange in fun ways.
The atmosphere in the park was full of energy. Families went from booth to booth, children happily showed off their creations, and conversations flowed easily in both Korean and English. The setup made the festival unique and made it easy for people from different backgrounds to connect and share the fun.
For the U of U students, the experience was more than just volunteering. It was a chance to represent their campus, build relationships with the Songdo community, and embody the values of inclusivity and global citizenship that the Asia Campus promotes. Many students said the highlight of the event was seeing how small activities—such as helping a child paint a flag—could have a meaningful impact on cultural exchange.
Events like I Love Festa highlight the power of community and inclusivity in Songdo, and the Utah Asia Campus students were proud to be part of it.
– Written by Lauren Tran, Fall 2025 Communications Intern at Marketing & Communications Center, University of Utah Asia Campus (Reviewed & edited by Yoonji Kim, Senior Communications specialist, University of Utah Asia Campus)
