By Grace Karen MGANGA (2012 MDP, MALAWI)

Who would have thought that academic life would be so demanding? Two weeks into the new semester, and already await us numerous chapters to be read and various assignments to be completed. It was not surprising that the news of the 2012 Spring Happy Hour was met with a sigh of relief. We deserved a break, and what better way to relax than to have free drinks, play games and make one or two new friends?

With the support of the Student Affairs Division, the happy hour was organized and led by the newly-minted student representatives. They ran a successful publicity campaign prior to the event that raised the expectations of many. By 4:30 pm on February 24^th, Lincoln Hall was buzzing with excitement as students made their way across the room, catching up on their week while posing for various photos making their way onto Facebook.

Two MCs, Bo Bae Lee (2012 MDP, Korea) and Afdalizal Bin MD Hashim (2012 MPP, Malaysia), got the event underway with cheerful greetings and warm smiles. Professor Kwon Jung, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, followed suit in delivering opening remarks. He encouraged the students to make the most of the event and build networks that would go beyond their academic lives. On a lighter note, he assured that there was more than enough food to go around, and true to his word, we were treated with a constant supply of delicious pizza.

To facilitate lively interaction and communication, students were divided into several random teams on the basis of the color of their name tag. The teams competed in a range of games which included “Get to know one another” and “Animal Farm.” In the first game, the teams challenged each other in coming up with the most entertaining response to a range of personal questions. The Blue team carried the day with their brilliantly comical replies, walking away with a prize. In the second game, the teams mimicked various animals on a farm. From snakes to monkeys, to chickens and fish, all the teams constantly entertained one another, but there could be only one winner and the undisputable champion: the Bear Family. Wooing the crowd with their Korean dancing and singing skills, they walked away with KRW 10,000 vouchers kindly donated by Jee Hee Yoon (2012 MDP, Korea).

With or without a prize, everyone left the hall feeling like a champion. The Happy Hour succeeded in strengthening the community spirit, the unique multiculturalism that KDI School prides itself upon. Friendships were created, networks were formed. It was truly a memorable evening.