SHANUM Multicultural Society for Social Responsibility, a recent initiative of the Seoul National University Social Responsibility (SNUSR), held an annual program in cooperation with the Gwanak Family Center. Through the program, members of SHANUM held weekly sessions to help children of multicultural families adapt to Korean society.

The SHANUM Multicultural Society for Social Responsibility, composed of people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, carried out the program for four weeks, and took charge of career mentoring to help design the career paths of children from multicultural families in Gwanak District (Gwanak-gu). The mentors and the mentees played interesting games and had intercultural exchange sessions where participants shared their customs with others. Other activities included environmental preservation efforts, such as cleaning up waste in Mt. Gwanak. Inspired by these activities, some children went on to participate in environmental cleanup at a subsequent local festival.

The Ice-breaking Session

The SHANUM Multicultural Society for Social Responsibility, now in its sixth year, received positive feedback from the mentees’ parents, who had a chance to take a look at the active interaction between the mentors and their children. "I was delighted that this program encouraged my child to better understand the merits of being bilingual and to see the true value of having a multicultural background. The non-Korean mentors, who themselves had adapted well to Korean society, taught my child that a multicultural background is not an obstacle but an opportunity to further their development," one mother said.

For the final week of the program, the mentees shared their dreams for the future and offered words of encouragement to one another. The parents also attended and wrote letters of encouragement to their children. "People may give you a hard time for having an unusual name, and there will be other more difficult situations to cope with. But just take a deep breath and remember that your dad loves you," read one letter.

Mentees Designing their Career Paths

The mentees were not the only beneficiaries of the program. Mentors and mentees alike had the opportunity to share anecdotes of the adversities they have faced living in Korea. For all involved, the program was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of one's true identity. "I believe that the mentors as well will think more positively about their background and who they are right now," one parent said.

In the last session, the SHANUM members made their farewells to the children, and expressed the hope that the program was a memorable experience. In July, the SHANUM Multicultural Society for Social Responsibility plans to provide career mentoring and intercultural education to multicultural children in Gyeongju, one of the largest multicultural cities in North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangbuk-do).

For details about the SHANUM Multicultural Society, refer to the website of SNUSR (https://snusr.snu.ac.kr/activities/multiplecultures) or contact the Global Social Service Center (02-880-2293).

Source: https://www.snu.ac.kr/snunow/press?md=v&bbsidx=142294

Written by Seunghwan Oh, SNU English Editor, ascendhwan@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Professor Jiewuh Song, Department of Political Science and International Relations, jiewuh@snu.ac.kr