Mihwa Gassett

Before I went back to K-State, I was a homemaker and afraid of going outside of my comfort zone because I felt scared of many things as a Foreigner-American in U.S.

However, my ideas totally was changed since my husband suffered from severe depression and suicidal thoughts due to PTSD and went through a lot of changes since 2018. He had to leave the military in a week. The fence that surrounded me and my family comfortably as the military family sent us out of it, and I experienced many difficulties and trials as a immigrants instead of a military family. After my husband was sent the rehabilitation facility, I tried to survive with two young children. At first, I had no idea about the outside world of the military, so I had no idea about social work or social welfare system at all.

I went around hard to move to a small apartment, but there was no place to accept my family without an income. However, God showed mercy through an apartment management staff who was introduced to me a less restrictive apartment and a social work counselor. I found some hope to survive.

I was, also, introduced to a part-time job as a Korean language teacher in the Korean church. Passionate Teacher with experience developing and implementing diverse curriculums covering wide range of Korean from kindergarteners to high school students. It is very honer to teach Korean and Korean culture to any American or foreign students who are interested in Korea in the middle of America. Even thought it was such a small amount of paycheck, it was a great help to my family to have another hope.

In addition, a year later, my husband returned home with an improved appearance, and we are now managing anything we've faced as a family that makes one of us more positively looking at the future. Finally, last summer, I started studying at school by choosing the path called social worker because I was grateful for the kindness I received, and I also wanted to get a job and hope that the job would help warm people and give people any hope.

Passionate Teacher with experience developing and implementing diverse curriculums covering wide range of Korean from kindergarteners to high school students. Highly skilled at motivating students through positive encouragement and reinforcement of concepts via interactive classroom instruction and observation. Successful in helping students develop strong literacy, numeracy, social and learning skills.

Term GPA

4.000

Cumulative GPA

4.000

Academic Standing

Good Standing

Aug, 2022 to May, 2025 

I just got a mail from a Director who is school of music, theatre, and dance about that their faculty have accepted me into applied  Voice to begin study in the fall semester. Whenever I have hard time, I praise my God, and it helps me a lot. Some of people have said they were touched by my singing. So, I am very excited to learn how to sing professionally and I'd love to sing for people who need hope as a Christian and social worker later.

I will send my singing with different file which I was recorded by my Korean church last Christmas. The song title is 'Still' in Korean.

As a Korean-American student at Kansas State University, I have come to recognize the importance of diversity, equality, inclusion, and a sense of belonging in the global world. Growing up, I encountered two different cultures, and this experience taught me the value of understanding and respecting different perspectives.  

In college, I was fortunate to interact with students from all over the world, which helped me broaden my horizons and develop a deeper understanding of other cultures. I also cooperated in conducting various student activities and global events as a UPC member to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging on campus. We are also trying to meet friendship and basic needs for international students who study here for a while through the in-school international Bible study. At first, I started to help, but now I get more positive energy mentally, interacting with students from all over the world.  

I believe it is important that everyone feels accepted and included regardless of their background or identity. This is especially important in a globalized world where diversity is becoming an increasingly standard. By embracing diversity and promoting inclusion, we can create a more harmonious and just society in which everyone is valued and respected.  

Overall, I have learned the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the global world through my experience as a Korean American