SIWA Volunteer Group Carries Out ‘Cultural Identity Education’ at Korean Adoptee Camp in the U.S.
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2025-07-23
Students from Sookmyung Women’s University provided Korean cultural education at a Korean adoptee camp in the United States, offering participants an opportunity to explore their cultural identities.
The SIWA (Sookmyung International Women’s Association) volunteer group, affiliated with the Student Support Center, conducted an educational volunteer program at "Mujigae (Rainbow) Camp" in Albany, New York, over a three-week period from June 23 to July 11.
‘Mujigae Camp’, which began in 1986, is a summer camp designed for Korean adoptees to experience Korean culture and explore their identity. Each year, around 300 families from across the United States participate in the camp. Since its first participation in 2004, the SIWA volunteer group has carried out this meaningful activity for the 12th time this year.
This year, the SIWA volunteer group, consisting of 12 members, conducted four classes for adoptees aged 3 to 17: Korean Language, Traditional Fairy Tales, Korean History, and Korean Dance and Music. The SIWA students spent a year preparing for the program, creating detailed lesson plans and conducting multiple rehearsals to ensure a well-organized and effective experience.
During the volunteer period, students stayed with local host families, sharing daily life with them. This homestay experience allowed for emotional bonding that went beyond simple cultural education. On the final day, both the students and the children shed tears as they said goodbye, showing the deep connection they had formed.
SIWA representative Nahyun Gil (Class of ’23, Department of Law) said, “It was rewarding to see children who initially knew nothing about Korea gradually embrace Korean culture without hesitation through our classes,” adding, “It was especially moving to see how much the students who had been attending the camp for several years had grown—some to the point where they could communicate in Korean without difficulty.”
The Mujigae Camp organizers commented, “It is truly meaningful that students from Sookmyung Women’s University came all the way to the U.S. to teach and engage in cultural exchange. It’s a unique aspect that sets us apart from other camps. We are deeply grateful to the SIWA students for planning and leading the classes themselves and spending such joyful time with the children.”
/Jillian Jackson CAMP MUJIGAE
The SIWA volunteer group also participated in a cultural camp held at the Korean Community Center (KCC) in New Jersey, targeting third- and fourth-generation Korean-American children. The participants showed great interest in Korean culture, actively engaging in Korean language and traditional fairy tale classes.
Many of the participants shared that this volunteer program gave them a valuable opportunity to understand their cultural background and explore their identity. Some parents, after seeing their children’s enthusiastic response, even inquired about the possibility of their children pursuing higher education in Korea.
Our university actively supports various volunteer activities to help students grow into mature adults who understand diverse cultures in a global society and develop a sense of social responsibility. This year, the Sookmyung Cultural Foundation—led by Chairperson Cho Sun Hae, CEO of Geo-Young, Korea’s largest pharmaceutical distribution company—shared in this vision and sponsored scholarships for the program.
Prof. Park Young-eun (Dept. of Public Relations & Advertising), who participated as faculty advisor for the second consecutive year, stated,
“SIWA’s volunteer work has established itself as a platform for meaningful exchange that has a positive impact on Sookmyung students, Korean adoptees in the U.S., and their families alike. The experience of building strong bonds through a shared connection to Korea, even with people they are meeting for the first time, will not only contribute to the students’ personal growth but also remain a deeply cherished memory.”