Dear Reader,

To me, writing requires some degree of introspection. It has become my excuse to force the worries of the world to fall away — and so, I find myself writing this letter on a bench by the duck pond, allowing myself the rare opportunity to just let my mind wander. Granted, this method is not always foolproof; sitting here for twenty minutes, I’ve already been distracted by the discovery of fish in the duck pond, by a large and overly curious bee, and by the weight of this responsibility.

The magnitude of the title Editor-in-Chief did not really sink in until I typed the words “Dear Reader” on a blank page. Addressing you directly in this letter is a daunting task. I have no words of wisdom to impart, nor any good advice to give. All I can do is to share my thoughts, frustrations, and hopes to you, dear Reader, in the eight letters that will constitute my term. And I hope that in some way, these words can leave a mark, even just for the few minutes that you read them.

The KAIST Herald has the critical role of representing the thoughts and interests of the whole KAIST community, and the privilege of leading it is a heavy burden to bear. In my first month as Editor, I have already made mistakes and had my shortcomings, and to be honest, I am often unsure of my capabilities. However, the challenge of doing better is one that I am willing to accept. I, along with the 22 amazing members of this publication, will endeavor to inform, entertain, and engage with you to the best of our abilities.

The articles within this newspaper use words and anecdotes and metaphors to reflect student opinions, to start discussions, or to simply speak our minds. In this issue, we have re-established the Editorial Opinion section on page 5 as a forum for discussions relevant to KAIST students. We explore recent issues in Korea in the Society division — from the controversy involving blackface to the idea of a “digital prison”. In International, we talk about the dilemmas that international students continue to face in this pandemic, affecting both their current studies and future prospects. We also dissect the phenomenon of the Korean wave as it sweeps across the globe in the Feature section. All these topics and more are a turn of the page (or a click of a button) away. 

Sitting here watching the water ripple and the geese flap their wings, I can safely say that my first letter as Editor is one of the hardest things I’ve had to write. To be completely honest, I do not know whether my words in this letter will matter much. We are flooded with a torrent of words every single day, and the ones on this page are but a drop in the ocean. We endeavor to write every line with care, to pick the right words with all their nuances — but we have no real idea of their impact. This is why I implore you, Reader, to share your thoughts with us. Reach out through our email or social media channels to discuss, criticize, and even argue — for without your engagement, these words remain static and our purpose is left unfulfilled.

Jaymee Palma

Editor-in-Chief