| The KOHSA seeks to offer young Korean
adoptees with a comprehensive educational experience through a
curriculum that includes the Korean language, culture and other
aspects of what it is to be Korean. The KOHSA's ultimate goal
is to expose Korean adoptees and their parents to the rich culture
of Korea through casual and natural interactions with teachers
so that both the adoptees and their parents will be able to nurture
a well-rounded understanding of Korea and a sense of identity
and pride in the adoptees' heritage.
Many members of the Korean-American community
are Koreans who have been adopted by American families. It is
the hope of the KOHSA that in addition to identifying with their
parents' culture, these children can also proudly claim their
Korean heritage. The KOHSA will give students a chance to not
only the Korean language, their mother tongue, but also the
Korean culture. We believe it is important for them to learn
about their origins because understanding their heritage will
help them overcome the difficulties that come from cultural
differences they may face among their peers. The school, which
is held on Saturdays, will offer them a place to meet others
who are just like themselves.
I hope that the Korean Heritage School students
not only begin to understand their identity as Korean-Americans
but also remember their experiences as a KOHSA student and use
them in the future for a greater mutual understanding between
Koreans and Americans.
Thank you for your time.
Gun Sun Kim Lee
Principal
The Korean Heritage School for Adoptees (KOHSA)
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