Departing from Cheongju, Gathering in Jeju — Many Starts, One Confluence
Our journey began at Cheongju Airport. Some departed from Cheongju, others from different cities, and we converged at Jeju Airport. On the plane, we each reviewed the year and quietly renewed goals for the next. Under the Jeju sky, those notes and resolutions came together. “Wherever we start, we ultimately walk together”—our steps naturally aligned, much like our time at the Academy.
Straight to the Stay — A Shared Table, Warm Words, “Well Done, Everyone”
We headed swiftly to the accommodation, unpacked, and gathered around a shared table. As good food and warm soup filled the room, stories of the year naturally flowed. “In the early hardships, fellow founders kept me going,” “My greatest gain this year was the strength to endure.” And one line was inevitable at the end: “Well done, everyone.” It was an evening of encouragement rather than formal toasts.
Hosted Networking by the Jeju Academy — Local Dishes, Games, and Real Conversations
The Jeju Youth Startup Academy hosted a networking event for our cohort. A dinner of Jeju-style traditional dishes conveyed the island’s warmth, and light team games quickly melted the ice. We introduced our domains and problem statements, traded collaboration ideas, and continued the dialogue late into the night. It was a living example of how a regional–cohort founder network operates.
Morning of Day 2 at Seongsan Ilchulbong — Brief Yet Defining
Early the next morning, we headed to Seongsan Ilchulbong. Walking along terrain shaped by wind and waves, we recalled this year’s growth curve and next year’s execution plans. Though we couldn’t stay long, the expressions in our photos were clear: “It was short, but enough to restart.”
A Community That Feels Like School — Why the Academy Stands Apart
Among many support programs, the Youth Startup Academy truly lives up to its “school” name. Fundamentals honed through curriculum, strategies refined through mentoring, and above all, the tight bonds among founders—these are the core assets. The ongoing founder network after graduation provides a psychological safety net—simply knowing there is someone you can call first when challenges arise. This graduation trip was both a reaffirmation of that bond and a ritual for turning the page to our next chapters.
A Short Trip, A Long Afterglow — Writing the Next Page Together
Two days passed quickly. The schedule was short, but the conversations were long. “What metrics should we target next year?” “How will we expand channels?” “What rhythm will the team adopt?” These questions will return to our desks and be answered with execution. In the end, the graduation trip wasn’t a period—it was a promise to write the next page together.
Author’s Note
