 I hope you’re having a blessed month of May! My name is Han Nah (Hannah) Park and I am a recipient of the 2021-2022 EMK Scholarship. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity write about how God has provided for me through this scholarship. As an MK/PK/TCK, I’ve lived in many different countries: Korea, Mongolia, China, Germany, and America. Growing up in these many different contexts was very difficult, as it was always marked by uncertainty and instability. It wasn’t until recent years that God has brought much healing to these experiences, and even given me a vision to work with children from diverse backgrounds and identities on their path to healing. I am currently wrapping up my second year at the Harvard Graduate School of Education with an Ed.M and C.A.S. degree in Prevention Science and Practice, K-12 School Adjustment Counseling license. My current vision is to become an educational psychologist that can support children and families from diverse backgrounds in their path to healing. After the completion of my C.A.S. degree and a few years of working in school counseling, I hope to pursue my doctoral studies in this area.
I would not have been able to complete my graduate program if it were not for the help of scholarships such as EMK scholarship. Two years ago, I found myself in a situation where I was accepted to graduate schools, but I had no means to pay for them. I distinctly remember surrender my future to God, asking him to lead me where he thought was best. After being accepted to Harvard, God miraculously filled my financial needs 100% for the first year. After the first year, Harvard’s program requires the applicants to apply again for the second year. When I was accepted to the second year, I again did not have enough funds to pay for the program. However, my advisor who was a Christian encouraged me to seek God’s guidance and that when he calls us to something, he always provides. I ended up committing to my program before my financial needs were met, because I was sure that God had called me into this field. Over the course of the next months, I was able to hear back from several scholarship funds, including EMK Scholarship, that filled my financial needs for the second year. Without a doubt, I know that God had called me into finishing this program, and to be in this field of counseling, and it is through scholarships like EMK that I am able to finish this program this year.
There were many times that I thought that my experiences as an MK was something to be ashamed about. However, I am starting to see that there are so many strengths of being an MK. Because I am an MK, I am able to relate to the many students who come from such different cultures in the schools I work at as a counselor. Thank you so much for supporting me through my graduate degree and believing in my vision. I can only hope I can contribute to furthering God’s kingdom in this field as he has called me!
Warm regards,
Han Nah (Hannah) Park |
