When I think about the student organization I am most grateful I joined at Hopkins, I immediately think of Hopkins Sport Taekwondo (HST). I joined during my junior year because I wanted to be part of a sports club that was active, fun and rooted in a genuine community. What I found was much more than a club. I found a family.
Before joining HST, I was looking for a space outside of academics where I could challenge myself physically while also meeting people who shared the same excitement for growth, discipline and fun. From my first practices, I felt welcomed by our masters and teammates who encouraged me, helped me improve and made every practice something to look forward to. Whether we were working on poomsae, sparring drills or preparing for competitions, HST became a place where I could relieve academic stress and reconnect with myself in Taekwondo.
Some of my favorite memories from college come from traveling with the team to tournaments. We competed at Princeton, where our women’s C team sparring group placed third out of 64 universities, including Ivy League schools. We also competed at Penn and participated in the U.S. Taekwondo Festival twice, where many of us won trophies. One of my proudest moments was placing second and receiving an award from Grandmaster Se Yong Chang. Moments like that reminded me how much I had grown, not only as an athlete, but also as someone willing to step outside my comfort zone.
Still, what made HST special was never only the medals or tournaments. It was the road trips, the practices, the nervous laughs before matches, the fun socials with friends and the feeling that everyone genuinely enjoyed each other's company. HST gave me a community that was loving, supportive and full of energy. It taught me that some of the best college memories are built in the spaces where we allow ourselves to try something new and explore.
As I graduate, I feel incredibly thankful that I joined HST. It became one of the most meaningful parts of my Hopkins experience and gave me friendships and memories I will carry with me long after commencement. To future students, I would say: join a sports club, even just for fun. Find something that lets you move, laugh, compete, belong. And if you are interested in a team that is hardworking, welcoming and full of heart, I cannot recommend Hopkins Sport Taekwondo enough!
Joud Shogair is a senior from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia graduating with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering.
