Knowing better about MK through the MK Community
As Handong has a wide diversity of personalities, accommodation and harmony are important (for Handong students) to become a unity. Since globalization and Christianity are the main feature of Handong university, there are not only international exchange students but also many MKs. MKs stand for Missionary Kids, who are the children of missionary parents, and thus born or raised abroad.
However, through long-term experiences in foreign countries, they may have a hard time adjusting to Korean culture. The MK Community of life groups has helped MKs adapt to the Korean culture in Handong through encouraging to grow spiritually and intellectually. “Although I have Korean nationality and my parents are all Korean, I don’t feel like a Korean. Sometimes I felt foreign sentiments that is different from here, and thus I faced my identity confusion,” said Kim Jong Hyun(’16, GLS), MK from Egypt. Gwak Hwa Pyeong(’16, business economics), a president of the MK Community, said, “many difficulties of MK students are about the cultural and linguistic barriers, identity confusion, and personal pain related to family background. Unlike their outward brightness, some people might not open their mind easily, and they could feel it is hard to being deep in conversation with other students. Also, there is a worry that some students might relieve their stress in a wrong way, such as drinking alcohol too much.” He explained that the MK Community aim to care about healing personal hurt minds, relieving stress, self-discovery, and keeping one’s faith. According to the introduction of the MK Community, ‘the mission of the MK Community is to help MKs fully realize their infinite potential and the rich experiences that God has gifted them with.’
MKs have a lot of their own potential to become global talents. Their awareness of cultural diversity and experience living in foreign countries are great assets. Communication skills in multiple languages also make them special. Regarding the vision of Handong, MKs are the essential members of Handong Global University to change the world. It is expected that many kinds of people of Handong to live together harmoniously and respect each other as the unique members of university. “I wish many people in Handong will have an open mind with more attention in many MKs around them,” Gwak added.
Meanwhile, the main programs of MK Community this semester includes freshmen small group, lectures through general meeting, MT, and other activities. Professor Minho Chris Ma(School of International Studies, Languages and Literature) is in charge of the MK Community.


Hye Eon Kim, Guest Reporter

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