Support for Korean Youth Aging Out of Care

U.S. College Scholar Program
Earlier this year, YANA Ministry, an organization in our network that supports orphans and children experiencing poverty, reached out to ask if we could help a young adult named Taehyeon. Since we have known Taehyeon from his time living at a KKOOM-supported children’s home, our answer was an immediate yes.

Taehyeon is now in his fourth year of college, earning a degree in finance. After careful discussion, our Board agreed that the best way to support him was by providing financial assistance for living expenses, allowing him to focus on his studies, internships, and professional development.

As part of the scholarship program, we set benchmarks throughout the year to check in with each scholar. For Taehyeon’s first assessment, we asked him to complete a short Q&A form. Below are a few highlights from his responses.

Q&A with Taehyeon 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Taehyeon, and I’m someone who thrives on responsibility, growth, and helping others. I’m deeply curious, always eager to learn something new, and I approach challenges with both logic and resilience. Growing up in a diverse environment taught me how to understand people, resolve conflicts, and adapt quickly. I value integrity, care deeply about those around me, and I’m driven by a desire to create meaningful impact in both my personal and professional life.

Why did you choose your current major (or area of study)?
I’m passionate about understanding how capital flows and how business grows through strategic financial decisions. My long-term goal is to work in investment banking or trading, where I can apply analytical and strategic thinking to drive financial growth and eventually help others through philanthropic financial initiatives.

What skills (academic or life skills) do you hope to improve this semester?
I hope to strengthen my financial modeling and data analysis skills, especially in credit and risk evaluation. I also want to improve my public speaking and professional writing, which are essential for presenting ideas clearly and building confidence in the workplace. Personally, I aim to enhance my time management skills to balance work, study, and career development more effectively.

What are you most looking forward to this semester?
I’m mostly looking forward to deepening my knowledge in finance through both academic coursework and real-world experience. As an intern in the credit department at a chartered community bank, I’m excited to apply classroom concepts to actual financial operations and strengthen my credit analysis skills. I also look forward to networking with professionals in the industry and continuing to build the foundation for my future career.

What goals have you set for yourself this semester (academic, personal, or other)?
My academic goal is to maintain a high GPA while excelling in finance-related courses. I want to continue developing my communication skills and financial knowledge through independent study so I can be fully prepared for future roles in investment banking or asset management.

What is your dream for the future, and how do you think college will help you achieve it?
My dream is to become a successful financial professional who not only contributes to the global economy but also gives back to underserved communities. Having grown up in an orphanage, I understand the importance of financial stability and support. I want to one day help young people gain access to financial education and opportunities. College is helping me build the knowledge, network, and experience I need to turn this vision into reality.

Thank You for Your Support
We are deeply grateful for your generosity, which makes it possible for scholars like Taehyeon to pursue their education and future careers with confidence and stability.

Stay tuned for more updates about Taehyeon and other students in our U.S. College Scholar Program.

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