A discussion about difficulties of university education for Korean missionary children

Abstract

In this article, “a discussion about university education for Korean missionary children”, the researcher describes the purpose of education for Korean missionary children and their issues of university entrance. The most significant problem encountered by Korean missionary children is identity. Regarding this, the Korea World Missions Association (KWMA) defined the purpose of education for Korean missionary children to be citizens of God, citizens of the world, and citizens of Korea. Since the definition was proclaimed, mission agencies and missionaries in Korea stimulate Korean missionary children to enter university in Korea, in terms of establishing these identities. Since Korea expended special admission allowances for university entrance in 1997 to missionary children, a tendency has arisen that Korean missionary children changed from a Western to a Korean college/ university (Back 2007:1). However, the system of special admission allowance has recently been complicated and this system may be more stringent in future. This new attitude towards the special admission allowance for university entrance will influence Korean missionary children in future. Hence, Korean missionary parents and mission agencies need to be open minded instead of persisting in preconceived ideas concerning university education. Personal character and preference of college/ university options must be seriously considered, as they see the idea of ‘one-sizefits’ is not appropriate for all. Alternative options are needed to offer to Korean missionary children for their university education.