A Study on the Experiences of Dropouts among North Korean Defector University Students

This study aims to explore the experiences of North Korean defector university students who have dropped their studies, seeking to understand the patterns and meanings of these experiences within their context. For this purpose, four North Korean defector university students who had experienced study dropouts were selected as participants through convenience sampling and snowball sampling, data were collected through unstructured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis method, following a six-step procedure. The analysis revealed that North Korean defector university students often decide to enter the university in a non-self-directed manner due to the lack of self-understanding and career information. This leads to mismatches in career suitability and difficulties in academic performance and social integration at university, ultimately resulting in study dropouts. Based on this analysis, the experience of study dropouts among the participants was metaphorically conceptualized as “throwing away ill-fitting clothes made by others” and “catching one's breath from tension due to unfamiliarity.” Drawing from these research findings, the study discusses the necessity for tailored career education for North Korean defector youth, the institutionalization of social support networks, and the utilization of university admission support systems that incorporate goal-setting. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for comprehensive psychological support to address the multifaceted challenges faced by these students.