Class of 2025 Graduate Admitted to SKY Universities in Korea

During the DP graduation ceremony this past summer, a graduate borrowed the famous quote from the late American basketball player Kobe Bryant’s retirement speech “What can I say? Mamba out!”, exclaiming from the podium: “What can I say? Tommy out!”, drawing his colourful high school career to a close. Before his words faded, the entire audience erupted in cheers. 

 

The graduate, Seungjae (Tommy) Lee (hereinafter referred to as Tommy), is from South Korea. While everyone still indulged in the speech he had given during graduation, in late September, he sent exciting news from Korea to his alma mater—he had been admitted to two of Korea’s top three prestigious universities (Korea University and Yonsei University), known as SKY (Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University). In a few months, a brand-new university life will unfold. Yet, when we look back on his story with XLIS, we realize that the Tommy of today—an academia, basketball enthusiast, and a humorous crowd favorite—was, six years ago, an introverted adolescent who had just arrived in XLIS with his parents to study in an unfamiliar country.

 

Over the course of just six years spent studying and living in Xi’an, he was continually shaped by his experiences, gradually becoming more open-minded and confident. He holds his time at XLIS close to his heart. Recently, we reached out to him to discuss his journey of growth. Tommy admitted that he preferred to carefully articulate his memories with XLIS through writing rather than through a virtual conversation.

 

He weighed his words, writing each one with solemnity. Between the lines, we clearly felt:

The challenges and struggles he once facedThe transformative moments in his growth

The profound impacts of XLIS teachers’ guidance

The benefits of maintaining a balance between academics and life

 

His plans after stepping into a top-tier university

 

”Education” is weighty—each instance of its impact resonates with significance.

”Education” is also light—it internalizes within every young heart, allowing each leap forward to be made with greater ease and composure.

 

Below is our written interview with Tommy

 

Reflecting on your journey from a Korean student to a global learner in Xi’an, how did the multicultural environment at XLIS reshape your perspective on identity and belonging? 

The multicultural environment at XLIS provided me with the opportunity to interact with people from diverse races and backgrounds, which greatly broadened my perspective. It helped me grow into a more open-minded person and allowed me to break free from fixed stereotypes and narrow ways of thinking.

 

Among all the IB learner profile attributes, which one did you develop most profoundly here in Xi’an, and could you share a story that illustrates this growth?The IB learner profile I developed most profoundly at XLIS is Balanced. During my time at XLIS, especially in the DP years, I tried to maintain a healthy balance between academics, exercise, and rest. At first, it was difficult because I felt that the time I could spend studying had decreased, but as I got used to it, I became less stressed and learned the way to transfer the energy I gained from exercise into my studies. This balance played a significant role in helping me successfully complete the IB Diploma.

 

IB curriculum is known for its rigorous academic demands. How did the balance between Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and CAS activities uniquely prepare you for SKY universities’ expectations?

Although I haven’t attended a SKY university yet, I believe the IB curriculum has prepared me well in several ways. TOK will be helpful because SKY universities expect students to think on a much deeper intellectual level, and TOK has trained me to approach knowledge critically and analytically. The Extended Essay will also be beneficial, as I’ve heard that my friends at SKY universities write many essays. My experience with researching and structuring an EE has given me the skills to handle that. Lastly, CAS will be valuable since many university projects require planning, execution, and problem-solving skills, all of which I developed through my CAS project experiences.

 

Was there a specific teacher or mentor at XLIS whose teaching philosophy or personal guidance left a lasting impact on your academic or personal values? How did they influence you?

There were so many teachers at XLIS who had a positive influence on me that it’s difficult to choose just one. However, one piece of advice they all shared in common was the importance of understanding. When studying, it’s easy to get caught up in solving as many problems as possible rather than truly understanding the content. I often struggled with this bad habit, but teachers consistently reminded me that while solving one more problem might seem helpful in the short term, truly understanding the concept would benefit me much more in the long run. This mindset helped me overcome many challenges and even reduced my overall study time. As concepts I fully understood stayed in my memory longer, I was able to handle final exams much more smoothly. Beyond academics, this lesson also taught me to focus on the essence of things rather than just their surface, which is a mindset that continues to shape how I approach learning and life.

 

Compared to the Korean education system you experienced earlier, what distinctive advantages did the IB framework offer in developing critical thinking and self-directed learning skills?

Compared to the Korean education system, the IB framework offered several distinctive advantages in developing critical thinking and self-directed learning skills. Unlike the more exam-focused and teacher-directed Korean system, IB encourages students to approach problems creatively, consider multiple perspectives, and make connections across different subjects. Class discussions and collaborative projects challenged me to justify my opinions and evaluate the reasoning of others, which strengthened my analytical skills. Moreover, the emphasis on reflective learning and inquiry-based assessments helped me take ownership of my learning, plan my studies effectively, and develop the confidence to pursue knowledge independently.

 

Facing the high-pressure environment of IB, were there moments of self-doubt or failure? How did you overcome them, and what did those experiences teach you about resilience?

Yes, there were definitely moments of self-doubt and failure during the IB program. For example, I sometimes struggled with difficult assignments or received lower grades than I expected, which made me question my abilities. To overcome these moments, I learned to reflect on my mistakes, seek feedback from teachers and peers, and adjust my strategies rather than giving up. These experiences taught me that setbacks are not the end but opportunities to grow, and that resilience comes from persistence, adaptability, and maintaining a positive mindset even under pressure.

 

Looking back, what would you describe as the most transformative intellectual or emotional moment during your time at XLIS?The most transformative moment during my time at XLIS was when I first joined a sports team. I had always been introverted and tended to keep to myself, but being part of the team pushed me to interact and build relationships with students from other grades. Through training, teamwork, and shared challenges, I gradually became more outgoing and confident in social situations. This experience not only helped me grow emotionally by overcoming my natural introversion but also taught me the value of collaboration, communication, and stepping out of my comfort zone to embrace new opportunities.

 

What’s your fondest memory of XLIS?

My fondest memory of XLIS was going on the DP Retreat to Malaysia during the first month of DP1, two years ago. I loved everything about the trip, the stunning landscapes, the vibrant cities, the people, and the delicious food. We also had the chance to interact with students from Upland School, and I clearly remember the activities we did together, which allowed me to interact with a variety of new people. Those experiences of teamwork, exploration, and cultural exchange made the trip especially memorable. Some of the friends I made during that retreat are still very close to me today, making it a truly meaningful and unforgettable experience.

 

As you step into one of Korea’s most prestigious universities, what vision do you hold for your future, and how do you plan to carry forward the values cultivated at XLIS into your next chapter?

At the university I will be attending, I hope to live a life of learning and research, exploring the subjects I am passionate about. Building on the value of “understanding” that I developed at XLIS, I aim to deepen my learning, approach knowledge more thoroughly, and explore a wider range of subjects with greater insight.

 

Please leave an instructive message to the younger students at XLIS.

At first, everything may seem difficult and like you won’t be able to handle it, but looking back, you’ll realize it was more manageable than you thought. You might even feel some regret for not fully embracing it, but overall, it will be an enjoyable than you expected it to be. So, give your all to everything you can do, enjoy the process, and trust that things will work out well.

 

New stories are bound to unfold. We wish Tommy a triumphant start to this new chapter of his life, while the bond with his alma mater remains an unfinished tale—let us eagerly await the many new beginnings yet to come.

 

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Author:

Fancy Fan (Admin Officer)