Who are the OBF Masters?

O.B.F., which stands for ‘Of the students, By the students, For the students,’ is an English language cafe here in Catholic University. It is located inside the Global Lounge, first floor of International Hub. The café serves a wide range of delicious and affordable drinks. It is run by Catholic University students who are called OBF masters. Students can enjoy English conversations with the OBF masters. OBF masters prepare various activities for the university students every year. They have their yearly Pop-song Contest, English Speech Contest, Halloween Party, and various English-related events all in store for the student populace.

Visit and meet the OBF masters in OBF cafe, located in International Hub-Global Lounge

Students from Class 2-3 talked to some people behind the OBF English café. Below are the stories they’d like to share about the OBF masters who they had the chance to meet.

“We met Eun-Ji, one of OBF masters, who just started working in OBF. Interestingly, her major is Mathematics. She made up her mind to work here in OBF cafe to improve her English. We talked about OBF, and rules in Global Lounge, and we had to speak only in English. She told us that she likes to play piano during her free time. In our minds, we were thinking that she is probably quite good in playing piano.

We also met Kyung-In who is working as an OBF master. We also asked her several questions. Contrary to our expectations, she is studying Humanities; and she started working in OBF March of this year. She wanted to work because there are many advantages she can get from it. First, she wanted to speak in English often, and not only with other masters but also with other students who are in Global Lounge. Secondly, she wanted to learn making beverages which is one of things OBF masters do. Also she said that she wanted to meet many people and make new friends by talking with them. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music and playing games.

As teams, we had a good chance to visit OBF Cafe and we had a good time talking with the masters. They both looked very kind and they answered sincerely. We like to drop by Global Lounge and meet new people like the OBF masters, and play a lot of games too.”

from GEO Class 2-3 (Prof. Peter Jenkins and TA Ji Yeon Park)

Meet the world in the Global Lounge

Do you know about the Global Lounge?

GEO Global Lounge - a great place to be.
Mingling with friends and acquaintances. Reading books. Watching movies.
Playing board games. Using computer. Enjoying your OBF coffee/beverage

There is a global English cafe in the Global Lounge. The cafe's name is O.B.F.. It is ran by students from CUK. In O.B.F. , we can enjoy many kinds of drinks. They serve coffees and other beverages that will surely satisfy you.

Many people visit and stay in the Global Lounge. There's a lot of cozy seats there where you can just sit and chat with friends. You can also opt to study there in the Global Lounge. You can also use the internet in the computers. And you can also play various board games. Another option is to borrow English books and movies in the counter of Global Lounge. They have a home entertainment system in the Global Lounge where you can watch the videos you borrowed. Just look for Hye Sung and Julia (Joo Yeon) and they will be very glad to assist you.

Books, movies and board games available in the Global Lounge counter.
Just ask assistance from our very accomodating Korean staff

Students enjoy their OBF Coffee while playing board games in the Global Lounge.

Try OBF's cafe affogato, oreo shake, caramel machiatto and banana shake.

You can also play board game such as the Rummikub, Uno cards,

Scrabble, Monopoly, Blokus, among others.

Enjoy watching English movies at the Global Lounge

What's more? In Global Lounge, we can meet many people from other countries like the Philippines, China, Russia, Iraq, United States, Canada, South Africa, to name a few. I met Morris who is from Philippines. Morris came here a year ago. So, he was able to see some of the developments of the GEO program. I asked to him about GEO program. His answers to my questions were affirmative. He encouraged me to participate in the GEO program. He said that if I have the chance, I should join again and encourage other people to join GEO so I can accelerate my English speaking capabilities.

Morris with the author at the GEO Global Lounge

So friends, what are you waiting for? Why don't you go to the Global Lounge and make new friends there!

by Jeon, Chang-bae from GEO class 2-2 (Professor Stephen, Byoung Soo)

See Related article:

• http://geocuk.blogspot.com/2010/09/obf-staff-meets-english-tas.html
  
• http://geocuk.blogspot.com/2010/10/whats-with-nico-and-cuks-geo-program.html

Remarkable English Skill Revealed in OBF Speech Contest

Last November 17, 2010, O.B.F. hosted an English Speech Contest in the Global Lounge. Applicants applied during October 19 and had their first orientation day last November 4. A preliminary assessment was also done last November 10 to 11 to gauge the English speaking ability of the contestants. For the preliminary speech contest, the topic for intermediate level was "What is the most important thing in a relationship?", whereas for the advanced level the topic was "What do you think the roles of husband and wife should be in a contemporary family?" Participants were screened and those that emerged victorious were able to join the final part of the contest. The final topic for intermediate and advanced level were as follows: "If you are the president of this country, what kind of foreign policies would you have?" and "How can we foster a better relationship with North Korea?"

There were a total of 80 applicants during the first round of screening. Participants rendered their speeches and underwent preliminary evaluation. After the preliminary evaluation, a total of 16 finalists and 11 finalists were chosen for the intermediate and advanced level respectively . Those who were able to make it to the intermediate speech contest were as follows: Kwon Soontaek, Kwon Taeho, Noh Garam, Do Jiseon, Park Junho, Park Jiyoung, Bang Haesun, Seo Beomsang, Seo Jeonghee, Shou Qing, Shin Eunsu, You Jin, Jung Narae, Jo Jaeyeong, Joo Kyeongmin and Wang Wen. For the advanced level, the finalists were the following: Kim Min Kyo, Kim Jun Yeob, Ma Min Jae, Park Chun Yong, Bae Hyung Ryeol, Sung Ji Eun, Song Kyoung Hyun, Yun Dawn, Lee Yo Han, Lee Eun Ji and Jo Yu Jin. All of them presented on the O.B.F. Speech Contest Finals Edition last November 17, 2010.

The judges for the event were Dr. Victoria Jo (International Language Education Center/ ILEC Director), Professor Nicolaas Le Roux (ILEC Vice-Director) and Professor Peter Kim (GEO Professor). The event was spearheaded by Jin Yong, an OBF Master.

O.B.F. Speech Contest posters around the campus

O.B.F. Masters in charge of registration

O.B.F. Masters in charge of orderliness during the contest proper

Speech contestant intensely delivering his speech

Song Kyoung Hyun, Speaking about fostering a better relationship with our North Korean brothers

towards the unification of Korea

Dr. Abagat with her daughter, Renz attending the Speech Contest

Attendees of the speech contest

During the Speech Contest Break time. Audience enjoy some snacks courtesy of O.B.F.

TA Stephanie with GEO Student

O.B.F. masters during the break time session

Dr. Abagat chatting with GEO student

TA Kat with some of her students in GEO Class

O.B.F. Masters anticipating the results of the speech contest

Dr. Victoria Jo, thanking the audience and the organizers and praising the contestants for their outstanding performance

Woman of the hour, Jin Yong, the organizer of the O.B.F. Speech Contest

Advanced level contestants and winners with Dr. Victoria Jo, Professor Nicolaas Le Roux and Professor Peter Kim

Advanced level first prize winner Lee Eun Ji - Her English skills and singing prowess mesmerized the audience and judges alike

From the editors desk.

Loving OBF Moment: Interview with OBF Master Lee Ji Yoon

Last October October 8, 2010, we interviewed Lee Ji Yoon; a first year student taking up East-asian Language and Culture and a proud OBF Master.

Her interest in learning foreign languages particularly English, Chinese and Japanese motivated her to take up this major. At present, she is focused on Japanese and Chinese speaking and writing. Watching drama, listening to music and radio shows supplements her studies. She aspires to be a scholar abroad to further her knowledge, skills and abilities. Last February, she visited Tokyo, Japan for 3 days with her friend.

Being an OBF Master is not that easy, yet sharing ones experiences and listening to other’s adventures is indeed heartwarming. She currently resides near Yeok-Gok station. Her hometown is in I-chon which is famous for rice and agricultural products.

We, the interviewers : Choi Hong Joon, Lee Chang Soo, Kim Ji Young really enjoyed the conversation. Hong Joon was deeply mesmerized with Ji Yoon’s smile…(Can this be love?♥♥♥).

the authors with OBF Master, Lee Ji Yoon

by: Choi Hong Joon, Lee Chang Soo, Kim Ji Young from GEO Class 3-4, Professor Irving Gussow's class