Are our daily lives still valid in a changing world? The routines we once took for granted are now under question. Rapidly evolving global issues are shaking the very foundations of the world order. Phenomena once seen as distant—pandemics, wars, and climate crises—have become part of our daily reality. These shifts are rewriting the standards of life as we know it. We are no longer living in the “New Normal,” but rather in the era of the “Next Normal.” While the New Normal refers to the evolved standards in everyday life and work brought about by the pandemic, the Next Normal goes further, encompassing structural and institutional redesigns that respond to global upheavals and move us toward a new phase. Major global challenges—war, inflation, and the climate crisis—are directly impacting our lives and future. The ways we work and live continue to transform. In such a landscape, university students must move beyond passively receiving information and begin to seriously reflect on their role as intellectuals.

 The war between Russia and Ukraine, for example, has far surpassed a mere military conflict. It is fundamentally disrupting the global system across multiple fronts—energy, economic stability, security, food systems, and climate policy. The war has caused major setbacks in grain and energy supply chains, triggering a global food crisis and persistent inflation. Furthermore, the collapse of the Europe-centered post-Cold War security order is causing further instability. Simultaneously, conflicts in the Middle East have paralyzed maritime logistics and led to unstable oil supplies, deepening global economic uncertainty. These crises are not isolated; they are shaping a new global order encompassing energy, trade, information, and security, while intensifying the power struggle between the United States and China. In the realm of gender and diversity, intersectional identities—such as transgender rights—are gaining traction in public discourse. The conversation has shifted beyond symbolic diversity to demand institutional equity and meaningful participation. MIllennials and generation Z place a high value on personal autonomy and identity, prioritizing social values, horizontal communication, and inclusive engagement. Meanwhile, the climate crisis has evolved into a structural threat. Extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, torrential rains, wildfires, and rising sea levels—are becoming normalized around the world. These are no longer rare occurrences, but permanent features of our daily lives.

 With the wave of global change, the way we work and live has also been changing, especially for university students. The most important thing is the growth of the ‘gig worker’. A gig worker, outside the traditional employment model, is an employee who works flexibly in short-term work due to necessity. Currently, it is spreading to the professional fields beyond mere repetitive work. In addition, beyond the concept of the ‘Work-Life Balance’, ‘Work-Life Blending’, ‘Work-Life Harmony’ are on the rise. These terms refer to lifestyles that blend work and life by creating synergy and placing value on harmonious work and life. These trends integrate work and life in a harmonious way in today’s new normal work environment, reflecting the younger generations that prioritize more flexibility and independence. 

 In the next normal, there are global issues and lifestyle changes that university students should know about. Why do students need to recognize the tide of change and pay attention to global issues? There are two main reasons. First, the globalization of employment and industry. As global value chains form, worldwide issues directly affect domestic industries. Furthermore, various opportunities arise in the process of solving international challenges. Secondly, students have to improve their ability to respond and adapt to an unpredictable environment. For example, while technology has been growing rapidly, it has also created complex problems and new global issues such as the technology gap and digital ethics.

 We are living in the real era of the new normal. There are clear reasons why university students should notice these global issues. For students preparing for the future, it’s important to go beyond simple ways to acquire knowledge. They need critical thinking skills, cultural adaptability, and a mindset of continuous learning. In the new normal, true talent is about actively shaping your own future not just watching the world.

82nd Cub Reporter • KIM JI YUL • jiyulkim815@naver.com

83rd Cub Reporter • KIM  YE LIM • kyl5838@gmail.com