Confidence is the Key: First Experience of Being an MC

Kim Gyungjoo's Story 

Faculty of Business and Economics

BEcon&Fin

Adjustment to a new city and school can be challenging for many, including Kim Gyungjoo, a junior Korean student studying in the Faculty of Business and Economics. Despite having no prior experience, she was recommended by previous masters of ceremonies (MCs) and chosen to host the orientation for non-local students during the first semester of 2018-2019.

“I joined the orientation during my freshman year. As a non-local student, I think it helped me to fit in Hong Kong quite well, so I think it’s really good to share my experience on the stage to newcomers,” Kim said. The orientation takes place at the beginning of every semester in order to help non-local students, including undergraduate, postgraduate and exchange students, to fit in the student life in Hong Kong with “survival tips”.

Kim also told us about her challenges in her first MC experience. “I was nervous at the beginning as it was a big event and I had to speak in a really formal way. Unlike having presentation in lectures, there were around 300 non-local students in front of you.”

“Be confident!”

“I’ve never spoken to so many people, probably this is the maximum number I have ever encountered.” Being a newbie on the stage, stage fright is among one of the challenges to her as well. “I relied on my partner who had more experience than me. I just learnt that as an MC, you have to prepare for things that do not happen on the script. Simply, you have to improvise your speech,” Kim chuckled.

Kim was invited to be an MC again in the second semester for the orientation for non-local students that just happened in January 2019.

“Be confident! It’s really important,” Kim left us with a positive note.

Written by:

Jasmine Leung

Faculty of Social Sciences

February 2019