5 family members attending same university

Yi Jeong-heon, right, a doctoral course student at Sahmyook University, poses with his family at the school campus in Seoul. All the family members are attending the same school. /Courtesy of Sahmyook University

By Bahk Eun-ji

The family of Yi Jeong-heon, 51, has a more than three-decade old tradition ― attending Sahmyook University.

The family's attendance at the university dates back to 1988 when Yi was admitted to the university's biology department. Later in 1994, when his wife Lee Soon-hwa began her studies in the school's theology department, it was not so special for there to be two or three family members as alumni of the same school, Yi said.

But it gained significance as Lee began a doctoral course in public health and his two daughters ― So-mang, 20, and Hey-ahn, 18 ― entered and transferred to the Department of Theology last year. This year Yi joined his wife in doctoral studies and his son, Jin-yu, 16, who was homeschooled, was admitted to the theology department as well.

So now all the five members of the family are attending one school.

“I wanted my children to experience what I've been through in this school,” Yi said.

He said Sahmyook University's vision of education ― to help students live as happy individuals first and then cultivate them into highly skilled people who change the world ― is the most reliable principle for his children.

“I believe this campus is the safest place to study and have a happy life I have ever seen in my life,” he added.

Yi's three children want to study medicine after finishing their theology study here.

“I knew we wanted to pursue something that can help others. It's not a coincidence for us to have passion to become medical missionaries after graduation,” So-mang, the eldest daughter, said.

She said her parents' motivation for studying public health is also to more professionally help those in need.

“His attitude toward life definitely has affected us, so when he suggested I enter the university, it took a split second for me to say yes.”

Yi's wife said she also wanted to work as a public health worker for her regional community in cooperation with local government.

The couple have been pastors at a small church in Daegu.

Sahmyook also provides special scholarship for such family students: 500,000 won ($440) per semester if two members of a family attend the school, and one third of tuition if three or more members do.

“I believe my children could lessen the burden and spend more time on campus life thanks to the special scholarship,” Yi said.