At KDI School, diversity shows in many forms: culture, language, and the personal beliefs students bring with them from home. But if you look closer, there is another layer of diversity found —faith. For those who left home to pursue their studies in Sejong, faith often becomes an anchor that grounds them in unfamiliar surroundings. Among these students are Khin, Saqib, Elena, and Piula. They come from different traditions, yet share a common journey of keeping their beliefs alive while navigating academic pressure and a new cultural environment.

Khin: Mindfulness in a new environment

Khin, a Buddhist student from Myanmar, keeps her spirituality close to her daily routine. She meditates briefly in her dorm room and visits temples in Sejong or Jochiwon on important Buddhist holidays. She finds calm in campus gardens, benches, and places like Sejong Lake Park. She misses how they do major traditions in her country such as Buddha’s Birthday, Thadingyut, and Thingyan, especially the sense of community that comes with donating, lighting rituals, and doing good deeds. 

Being far from home also means facing new challenges. “Language and community,” she admitted, are her biggest obstacles. Without the familiar presence of people who share her background, the experience can feel isolating. Yet her faith keeps her steady. “Mindfulness, perspective, and compassion help me handle stress and stay balanced as a student,” she shared.

Saqib: Prayer as focus and structure

Saqib describes KDI School as a supportive environment for Muslim students. Since Sejong has no mosque, the school provides a dedicated space for prayers and even larger halls for Eid gatherings. Balancing prayers with academics is manageable for him. “Each prayer is short, around ten minutes, so I plan my schedule around both classes and prayer times,” he said. He prays either in his room or in quiet areas on campus.

Food is another challenge. Finding halal ingredients is not always easy, but he has learned how to adapt. “I go to Daejeon for halal meat, and Afiya Halal Restaurant delivers groceries to the dorms,” he shared. During Ramadan, the support is even more meaningful, with the school keeping the dorm kitchen 24 hours during the fasting month. But no adaptation can replace the warmth of home, “I miss the sense of community—family gatherings, the atmosphere during Ramadan and Chaand Raat,” he said quietly.

Still, his faith remains a source of strength. “My faith gives me clarity, discipline, and a strong sense of direction. It motivates me to work hard while staying connected to God.” 

Elena: A Church community that feels like home

Elena tries to attend Sunday mass every week. At first, the language barrier made it difficult to find an English or Spanish service. Eventually she found a Catholic church in Daejeon that offered transportation and welcomed her warmly. “The people there are very kind,” she said. “I never left a mass without the volunteers giving us food for the road. They genuinely cared about us.”

These gestures created a sense of home she deeply needed. Still, there are traditions that no church in Korea can recreate. “I really miss the posadas,” she shared, recalling the joy of visiting neighbors with songs and shared meals during Christmas. But having a community here has helped her feel at home again and connect with fellow believers from different backgrounds.

Piula: Adjusting her faith to a new place

For Piula, Sundays have always been for church. When she first arrived, she relied on online services and personal devotionals while adjusting to life in Korea. She eventually met someone at KDIS who invited her to Sejong Presbyterian Church. “That church has become my home church here,” she said. She also attends a Bible study led by a retired Korean couple, which she describes as “a source of fellowship, wisdom, and comfort.”

Korean worship felt different from what she was used to. “Church life here is more flexible than back home… the environment, worship style, even the service times,” she observed. But these differences helped her gain a broader understanding of faith.

School life still tests her consistency. “When things are hectic, my routines aren’t always consistent,” she admitted. But she continues to lean on her spirituality. “I am only able to complete this journey through God’s grace and love alone!” Her way of practicing faith also extends beyond worship. “I try my best to be kind, friendly, and supportive… even though I’m not perfect,” she said. What she hopes to leave behind at KDI are “positive vibe and love.”

The stories of these students show how faith continues to guide them even far from home. Whether through prayer, meditation, worship, or community, their beliefs help them manage stress, find belonging, and stay grounded in their goals. In a campus filled with diverse cultures and ambitions, their faith remains a steady part of who they are and who they hope to become.