The First Semester Journey
M.S. Student Experience at ICLab
Hi there! I’m Thu!✨
I’m an international student coming from Vietnam, and I joined ICLab as a Master student in Spring 2024. Here’s a glimpse into my first semester journey – balancing coursework, navigating the research world, and, of course, a memorable lab trip!
❒ Course Work and Planning Tips
The first semester was quite overwhelming and daunting to me, especially when adjusting to a new living environment. I was surprised by how time intensive the first semester of grad school was. Classes and research filled my schedule as full as possible. My way to handle this is by planning a weekly schedule in advance, and Friday is a great day to do that – TGIF! At the end of each Friday, I like to release the pressure of the week and take a relaxed approach to planning the week ahead. I list all the tasks for the coming week, organize them into a timetable, and prioritize the more time-consuming and important tasks for the weekend.
I tried to arrange my courses on just two days of the week, so I would have more free days for preparation. For instance, I scheduled my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which gives me Mondays and Wednesdays for self-study. On class days, I take care of the easier, smaller tasks, which helps me stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
✨ Research and the beginning of HCI Journey
Research turned out to be more challenging than I initially thought. In Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), it’s not just about making a useful application but about articulating a clear contribution to the field. The HCI course I took with Professor Uichin Lee taught me a vital lesson: “The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas and throw away the bad ones.” - Linus Pauling. So, if the idea doesn’t seem groundbreaking right away, don’t be discouraged.
As a new graduate student, I’ve realized the importance of having multiple mentors. At ICLab, master’s students like me work closely with Ph.D. students, opening a collaborative environment where I never feel alone. They’ve taught me invaluable lessons, and whenever I get stuck or come up with a new idea, I share it with labmates or Ph.D. colleagues. A quick coffee chat can open up new perspectives or help me refine my work. Lab meetings are another perfect place to present your concepts and get constructive feedback.
Another way to broaden my perspective is by participating in HCI workshops, seminars, and activities. The N1 HCI Lunch encourages conversation among researchers from various labs over a free lunch and group discussions. It’s fascinating to hear others share their motivations and how they ventured into HCI. When I come to the HCI community, I hear a lot about the CHI conference which is the most prestigious in the field of HCI. Many researchers aim to submit their work here, but the journey is far from easy. The HCI@KAIST CHI'25 workshop is one of the most helpful workshops that I had a chance to join. The overview of the submission process and tips to prepare research papers are introduced and experienced students share tips on dealing with reviewer comments and navigating the challenges of publication. Presenting research ideas in this workshop allows students to receive invaluable feedback from professors and peers. Besides that, there are countless seminars and workshops where you can gain inspiration and learn new ideas.
✿ My First Member Training (MT) in Busan
One of my favorite experiences so far was our MT (membership training trip) in Busan – a beautiful beachside city! I started the trip with a classic newbie mistake by hopping off in Ulsan instead of Busan (oops!!). I had to take another train to Busan and thankfully, my lovely labmates still waited for me. After arriving, I got to try a famous Busan dish called 낙곱새 with everyone, which was fantastic.
We had a memorable game night, organized by some wonderful friends – Yugyeong, Chanhee, Gyuna, and Jeonghuyn. Many laughs, great food, and unforgettable memories. Looking forward to more adventures like this with my lab!
Busan MTBio of the Author
Thu is a Master's student at ICLab, joining the lab in Spring 2024 under the guidance of Professor Uichin Lee. Before pursuing her graduate studies, she worked as a software developer for three years, honing her skills in practical problem-solving and teamwork. Motivated by a desire to explore new horizons, Thu embarked on a journey to Korea, diving into the exciting realm of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with a particular interest in healthcare applications.
This is Thu’s first time living in Korea, and she’s been inspired by the dedication and talent of her peers at KAIST. Her experiences in this dynamic environment have broadened her perspectives.
Through her blog, Thu shares the joys, challenges, and lessons learned during her first semester, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the life of an international student.
