Support for Korean Youth Aging Out of Care

Earlier this year, we checked in with Taehyeon as part of his January mid-year progress report. As he enters his final semester of college, Taehyeon is focusing on strengthening his skills, preparing for his future career, and making the most of the opportunities made possible through the KKOOM scholarship.

Academics

Last semester, Taehyeon completed a full course load that included Business Law, Accounting, Economics, Communication, and Computer & Information Systems Technologies. Among these, Economics 4000 stood out as his favorite class. He particularly enjoyed exploring how economic theories connect to real-world situations and financial decision-making.

At the same time, the semester also presented challenges. Accounting 3000, an advanced course designed for accounting majors, proved to be the most difficult. Because Taehyeon is majoring in Finance, many of the accounting concepts were unfamiliar and required additional effort to master. To stay on track, he regularly studied with classmates and asked questions to deepen his understanding.

Despite these challenges, Taehyeon reports that his classes are going well. This spring semester, he is especially excited to take more finance-focused courses, where he hopes to further develop his analytical skills and gain a deeper understanding of financial decision-making.

Preparing for the Future

With graduation approaching later this year, Taehyeon is beginning to focus on the next stage of his journey. His primary goal is to secure a job in the finance field. This semester, he has started preparing for interviews and professional certification exams that will help support his career goals.

The Impact of the Scholarship

The KKOOM scholarship continues to play an important role in supporting Taehyeon’s daily life while he focuses on his studies. The funds help cover essential living expenses such as groceries, transportation, and other everyday needs.

Recently, Taehyeon faced an additional challenge when he needed to move apartments in New York City. The move brought significant costs, including deposits and moving expenses. With KKOOM’s support, he was able to navigate this transition and reduce the financial stress that often accompanies housing changes.

Without the scholarship, Taehyeon shared that he likely would have needed to seek additional work while studying. Instead, this support allows him to remain focused on his academic progress while continuing to save carefully for future expenses.

Mentorship and Community

This year has also brought meaningful professional connections. Since the beginning of the fall semester, Taehyeon has connected with a mentor in the finance field who has helped guide his career development. Through this mentorship, he has received advice, attended networking events, and gained insight into potential career paths within the industry.

Outside of his academic and professional goals, Taehyeon enjoys going to the gym and spending time with friends, activities that help him maintain balance during a demanding final year of college.

A Message of Gratitude

In his mid-year check-in, Taehyeon shared his sincere gratitude for the KKOOM supporters who make this scholarship possible. He noted that the scholarship not only provides financial assistance, but also gives him the confidence and motivation to continue pursuing his academic and professional goals.

As he prepares to graduate and begin his career, Taehyeon remains committed to working hard, staying disciplined, and using his education to positively impact his community in the future.

Thank you for your continued support. Your generosity helps students like Taehyeon pursue their education and future careers with greater stability and confidence.

Stay tuned for more updates from students in KKOOM’s U.S. College Scholarship Program.

Links:

• Keep track of updates on Instagram
• Learn more about our Scholarships Program
• Read more KKOOM stories on our website

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.

Links:

• Keep Track of Updates on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook