UIC Newsletter
Logo and Volume Information
Mobile Menu
Archive List
Related Links
ALUMNI AND UIC COMMUNITY
How the RC Education Faced the Un-tact Situation: Allen’s Own BTS
by Sunghee Lim (CLC '18), Hyewon Lee (CDM '19), Yujung Kim (AS '17)
With the wake of COVID-19, nearly all ordinary offline activities have turned remote, from classes to work to religious services. As a result, people stay inside and at home unless necessary, especially as the virus persists in fluctuating degrees of severity. Due to such conditions, Yonsei University encouraged students to stay home rather than reside in the dorms, which led the RC education to be proceeded online. No one was prepared for the unprecedented circumstances, but the RAs and RMs persevered to figure out a way to keep the spirit of the RC education high and to help freshmen feel a sense of belonging at Yonsei.
Allen RAs and RM having an online Zoom meeting
The first measure taken was to hold online House meetings and keep from coming into contact with one another. To follow this untact form, RAs came up with online programs using Zoom or messenger apps. Among them, Allen BTS—short for Allen Body Training and Stretch—was an Allen hub program that stood out as a well-executed online program. With social distancing often leading to the standstill of activities, causing exercise to decline as a routine of daily life, Allen BTS was a perfect solution both for the current COVID-19 situation and the increasing inactivity of freshmen students. RA Kangrim Cho planned and executed the program with Yonsei University alumna Sihyeon Lim, a certified pilates instructor.
For preliminary preparations, RA Kangrim Cho, RA Taeho Kim, and the instructor pre-filmed instructional videos for the program. The filming was done in a dorm room, and the video contained exercise sequences tailored by the instructor to be applicable for students exercising in limited spaces. When the instructor needed a detailed explanation, RAs volunteered as models to help demonstrate positions.
The actual program was executed in three stages by using videos and the Zoom platform taking place on May 16, 23, and 30. The first session included guidelines on the basic positions, breathing methods, and 10 different exercises. After students were given an hour from 7:30 pm to watch the video and follow the instructions, they also had a 30-minute Zoom session with the instructor herself on any questions and comments they had. Students were quite enthusiastic, asking questions and learning additional exercises the instructor taught them on the spot.
RA Taeho Kim helped instruct the students on the various exercises by serving as a model.
The second video included a recap of past material and 10 more exercises to learn and try out. This was again followed by a Zoom session. Although the instructional video for this session was approximately 40 minutes, longer than the last, students were still attentive and asked detailed questions on each exercise.
The third session was the same as the second, except with additional exercises to recap. At this point, students were used to the exercises and could execute them more smoothly. Many commented on how they started doing the exercises on a regular basis, especially when they felt tense and tired from taking online classes.
Denise, an Allenian freshman, commented, “Despite my unfamiliarity with the postures, I could easily follow each movement thanks to the detailed descriptions given by the instructor,” and added, “I definitely believe that taking some time off the endless assignments and lab reports was a healthy choice” (Denise Lee, UD '20).
RA Kangrim Cho, the RA in charge of Allen BTS, also remarked, “It was a memorable experience to develop and operate the Allen BTS program in the pandemic situation, and I appreciate all who helped to make the result successful , including the RC students who passionately engaged in the program” (Kangrim Cho, QRM '19).
As demonstrated by the positive responses above, the program well achieved its objectives, figuring as another valuable long-term Allen program. Longing for the day the residential college life will return to somewhat resemble normality, Allen's RA and RM will continue making efforts to remove the communication barrier between students by promoting various RC programs to help the students engage and interact. Please stay tuned for the upcoming articles on the RC education!
Display Page Loading Image
Loading ...