When I first arrived in Korea on September 1, 2023, everything felt unfamiliar—the language, the food, the people, and even the air around me. I was nervous, excited, and overwhelmed all at once. Just two days after arriving, on September 3rd, I met a man who would unknowingly become one of the most influential people in my life in Korea—Professor James Lee.
Professor James is not just any Korean. To me and many other international students, he is a symbol of warmth, guidance, and trust. He’s not only a teacher but a mentor, a protector, and above all, someone who treats us like family.
I remember one day, early in my stay, I faced an unexpected situation that left me shaken. With no one else to turn to, I sent him a message. Without hesitation, he came to pick me up in his car and personally drove me to the police station. He calmly spoke to the officers, saying, “He is my student.” Those words, simple as they may seem, brought me immense relief. After the matter was resolved, he didn’t just drop me off—he drove me all the way home, ensuring I was safe.
But this kindness wasn’t something he reserved only for me. My friend Asif once lost his wallet late at night. It was almost 11 p.m. when we told Professor James. Again, without delay, he came and accompanied Asif to the police station, offering support like a concerned father would.
His presence is so impactful that even in semesters when we don’t have any classes with him, students, including myself, request the university to let us take his course. One day, he joked with us that he might retire soon. We all protested, telling him, “Please don’t retire until we graduate.” That’s how deeply connected we feel to him.
To many, Koreans might seem reserved or distant at first. But in the eyes of a foreigner like me, they feel like family—especially when you meet someone like Professor James Lee. His actions taught me that kindness needs no language, and that genuine care can cross any cultural border.
Living in Korea hasn’t always been easy, but thanks to people like him, it has become meaningful, warm, and unforgettable. In him, I found not just a professor, but someone who showed me the true heart of Korea.
When I first arrived in Korea on September 1, 2023, everything felt unfamiliar—the language, the food, the people, and even the air around me. I was nervous, excited, and overwhelmed all at once. Just two days after arriving, on September 3rd, I met a man who would unknowingly become one of the most influential people in my life in Korea—Professor James Lee.
Professor James is not just any Korean. To me and many other international students, he is a symbol of warmth, guidance, and trust. He’s not only a teacher but a mentor, a protector, and above all, someone who treats us like family.
I remember one day, early in my stay, I faced an unexpected situation that left me shaken. With no one else to turn to, I sent him a message. Without hesitation, he came to pick me up in his car and personally drove me to the police station. He calmly spoke to the officers, saying, “He is my student.” Those words, simple as they may seem, brought me immense relief. After the matter was resolved, he didn’t just drop me off—he drove me all the way home, ensuring I was safe.
But this kindness wasn’t something he reserved only for me. My friend Asif once lost his wallet late at night. It was almost 11 p.m. when we told Professor James. Again, without delay, he came and accompanied Asif to the police station, offering support like a concerned father would.
His presence is so impactful that even in semesters when we don’t have any classes with him, students, including myself, request the university to let us take his course. One day, he joked with us that he might retire soon. We all protested, telling him, “Please don’t retire until we graduate.” That’s how deeply connected we feel to him.
To many, Koreans might seem reserved or distant at first. But in the eyes of a foreigner like me, they feel like family—especially when you meet someone like Professor James Lee. His actions taught me that kindness needs no language, and that genuine care can cross any cultural border.
Living in Korea hasn’t always been easy, but thanks to people like him, it has become meaningful, warm, and unforgettable. In him, I found not just a professor, but someone who showed me the true heart of Korea.