New Cafeteria for Sawlians

written by 10115 Oh Cherry

The cafeteria renovations are finally over. Sawlians are showing a mixed reaction of feelings about the cafeteria and the changes it brings.

During the first semester, Suwon Academy of World Languages (SAWL) relied on outside catering companies for the meals.

However, there were several incidents with the food. Sometimes, the food was cold. Also, there were times when there wasn’t enough food for all the students to eat. Some students found bugs and particles in the food.

Due to these problems, SAWL went through three catering companies providing school meals. Despite these efforts, these problems did not just simply vanish into thin air.

Changes in Food Quality

The food is better now. Before the cafeteria was open, the catering company had to prepare the food far before mealtime, resulting in cold food. However, because of the new cafeteria, food was kept warm until mealtime. For lunch and dinner, the school also offered freshly made meals at the school cafeteria.

In addition, before the cafeteria was open, there were times when food wasn’t enough or located in different parts of the school. But thanks to the cafeteria, the school was able to store food readily and accessibly. As lunch and dinner were made in the school kitchen, students didn’t need to worry about not having enough food.

The food quality and quantity both increased.

First-grade Japanese major Kim Jungyoon said, “I think the food quality has increased a lot. The menu became a lot more diverse. It’s also great that the food is warm now.”


Changes in Meal Time

After the renovations were done, the way students eat changed as well. Sawlians follow a specific time to eat in order to keep organized. Students eat at different times according to their grades and classes. At the beginning of the second semester, third graders were the first to eat. Next were second graders, and finally, the first graders. For the class order, the turn changes every week.

There were some positive comments about the meal time.

Third-grade English major Oh Seoah said, “It was really unorganized when eating in the classroom, but now that all the classes are eating together, each class has a given time to eat. So, the lines became much more organized and rigid. When we are the last in line, it can be uncomfortable to wait, but it does not happen every time.”

However, first-graders who have to eat last are discontent with this system.

First-grade Chinese major Ryu Chaewon said, “It can be a little inconvenient when you’re the last to eat. Compared to eating in class, lunchtime definitely gets shorter. I have to eat in a rush. Sometimes, I still feel hungry even after eating.”

First-grade Chinese major Lee Sangmin agreed that it is tough to eat in the cafeteria because of the tight schedule. He said, “I think some students miss lunch often because of the time.”

Eating with Friends

The eating environment has also changed as well. Many students said getting to meet more people during lunchtime was the biggest difference.

First-grader Kim found seeing and eating together with students from other majors, classes and grades strange. She said, “But I think that’s also part of the cafeteria experience.”

A lot of students were pleased with this kind of experience.

Third-grader Oh said, “When we used to eat in the classroom, lunchtime was rather quiet, with everyone at their seats. But now, we eat with other classmates and talk together. Because of this, lunchtime has become one of the times I look most forward to.”

Second-grade French major Ha Yunjeong also enjoys the changes and believes that her classmates agree.

But not everyone is enjoying with everyone in one place. First-grader Ryu finds eating in the cafeteria to be more uncomfortable than eating in the classroom.

Environmental Changes

The renovated cafeteria environment is also very different from the former cafeteria.

The cafeteria is wider. The spaces between the chairs and tables also became wider. Third-grader Oh thinks that the whole place has become much more pleasant since people are not getting in the way of each other.

Not only has the area become more comfortable and spacious, but there were also some new features added that made lunchtime better.

Second-grader Ha said that the new screen added to the cafeteria wall shows nutritional information about the meals.

There are still some negative comments about the cafeteria, too. Third-grade English major Kim Danhee found the table and chair being attached together inconvenient.

Changes were made not only inside the cafeteria but also outside of it.

Third-grader Kim liked that the entrance is now two instead of one since it makes the waiting time shorter. She also mentioned how the drinking fountain was a new feature.

The cafeteria sure has changed a lot of things. Sawlians are both pleased and dissatisfied with some of the changes. While these changes could be hard to get used to, it is important to embrace these changes.

It is also Sawlians’ job to make the cafeteria an appealing place. Students and staff alike should try to keep the cafeteria clean and organized.