Xi’an Liangjiatan International School 2024 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (High School) Interview with Outstanding Graduate
It’s graduation season again. In 2024, we witnessed another group of outstanding IBDP students successfully graduate from Xi’an Liangjiatan International School. With their university admission offers in hand, they are about to embark on a new journey, heading to a larger world and opening a new chapter in their lives. On this occasion, we are fortunate to invite Seunghu (Ian) Kim, an outstanding graduate of the Class of 2024, to talk about his growth story.
——Seunghu (Ian) Kim
How a Calm and Determined Science Scholar Was Made
Studied at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School for three and a half years
University Acceptances: University College London & University of East Anglia & University of Birmingham
Major: Pharmacy
Seunghu always appears calm. Despite winning three core academic awards in biology, chemistry, and higher-level mathematics at the 2024 IBDP graduation ceremony, he only gave a slight smile on the podium, without showing much emotion.
Even though he has university offers from three well-known UK universities for top-ranking pharmacy programs, he only mentioned it briefly during this interview.
When I first met Seunghu for the interview, this was the first impression he left on me. I saw that “calmness” was his most prominent characteristic. However, through Seunghu’s narratives, I seemed to gradually see the full picture of this Korean boy’s growth and clarify the underlying character trait that allows him to always face everything with such calm composure.
For Seunghu, the synonym for “calmness” could be “confidence.”
When talking about his experiences at Liangjiatan, Seunghu’s memories are vivid.
He first encountered the IB MYP program in the second semester of ninth grade. The IB teaching system and all-English learning environment, which differed greatly from traditional Korean education, posed a significant challenge for Seunghu, who had just arrived. Adapting to the new learning mode and bridging the gap with previously acquired knowledge were issues he needed to address.
“I really like the IB international curriculum, especially the collaborative group work. When difficulties arise, I am not alone but tackle them with my team. Additionally, the school organizes many social practice activities, which have been a great help to me.”
During the MYP years, Seunghu actively participated in the school’s “Week Without Walls” project, providing community service to local residents in Lintong, Shaanxi, under the guidance of teachers. Besides community service, he and his classmates tasted local specialties and visited the Terracotta Army, known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Through this unforgettable experience, he not only built close connections with his classmates but also gained a deeper understanding of China’s rich history and culture.
“This study tour not only deepened my international awareness in addressing global issues but also made me realize that the ‘human community’ composed of people from all over the world needs every global citizen to maintain it with heart.” — He continued to narrate calmly.
As the conversation deepened, I gradually saw the firm core beneath the calm exterior of this 18-year-old boy. Tracing back to the source of this core, the starting point is his parents and their unwavering love for their children.
The sense of security his parents’ love created was a relaxed and pleasant family atmosphere, allowing him and his sister to speak freely without pressure. In Seunghu’s memory, whether in the bedroom or at the dining table, conversations always took place, and discussions were everywhere. Whether it was the day’s lessons, interesting theories found on the internet, or new experiences inside and outside school, he would share them with his parents and sister as soon as he got home and express his views and opinions.
Seunghu excels in science, with strengths in mathematics, biology, and chemistry, while his sister Taehui, who is about to enter DP1, prefers literature, art, and music. The distinctly different interests have shaped their different personalities. In the eyes of their parents, whether it is a predetermined goal or a result of constant adjustment, the moment their children’s cognition and interests are activated, all they can do is unconditionally support their children in doing what they want.
“Although they have high academic expectations, ultimately, they hope that I can do what I like in the future and do not want grades to be a shackle that limits my choices. So when I expressed my desire to apply for a pharmacy major in university, they immediately agreed, completely respecting my thoughts.” At the same time, Seunghu also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend an international school due to his father’s job change and his mother’s dedication during this period.
“Many times when I study until late at night, my mother stays up too, accompanying me until one or two in the morning. She is always the first person in the family to get up. I am very grateful to her.”
His parents’ silent love permeates every inch of daily life, nurturing Seunghu’s spirit over the past eighteen years.
Calling him a science genius is well-deserved, but outside academics, more facets of him are gradually unfolding.
Among these facets, sports are an indispensable piece of his self-portrait puzzle. He likes and excels at basketball, football, baseball, table tennis, and swimming. Every day after lunch, he plays basketball with his MYP5, DP1, and DP2 friends in the gymnasium, which not only strengthens his body but also serves as an effective way to relieve stress.
Another piece of the puzzle is travel. Although he has not been in China for long, he has already left his footprints in many places—Lijiang Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Xiamen Beach, the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Disneyland. He is awed by the vast landscapes and natural wonders, fascinated by the unique townscapes and the cultural sparks of different regions, and enchanted by the iconic landmarks of various cities, appreciating their historical significance through their architecture.
“Every time I travel, the most profound feeling is that China is really vast. In Korea, traveling generally doesn’t require flying; most of the time, you can take a train or a car. But in China, flying is common for traveling.” Seunghu exclaimed several times.
Reading is the third piece of the puzzle that makes his self-portrait more three-dimensional. He loves reading various genres—novels, essays, comics, popular science books, and some of them he reads repeatedly. Through books, he measures the world with words, experiences different characters’ destinies, and continuously broadens his knowledge. Among them, he specifically mentioned the impact of the contemporary Chinese writer Yu Hua’s novel “To Live.” The protagonist “Fugui” goes through the abolition of the old system, the founding of New China, land reform, three years of famine, and the Cultural Revolution, losing family members one by one in the torrent of time until only “Fugui” and an old ox remain. In the book, Seunghu deeply felt the insignificance of individuals under the great wheel of time and the helplessness against fate.
“The biggest takeaway from this book is that no matter how bad a person’s past was, always look forward and help yourself get out of the mire. Never let past experiences hinder your pursuit of a better future.”
He enjoys drawing different energies from various books and looks forward to exploring different countries’ cultures, lifestyles, and value systems through words. The nourishment from reading subtly shapes his character and personality, allowing him to always view things from multiple perspectives and dimensions. Reading has a lot of impact on his learning and way of living, it has already become part of his life.
At this point, the full picture of the boy’s growth is becoming clearer. Supported by inner confidence and determination, he is not captured by any emotion. With a strong inner core, Seunghu ultimately appeared before me with a peaceful and composed demeanor.
Along the way, he has always been calmly exploring in his own way.
When asked about his future career plans, he immediately responded, “Two directions: becoming a professional pharmacist or engaging in pharmaceutical research. Both are excellent choices. Once I obtain my pharmacist license in the future, I can work in Europe or even in a wider range of regions.” The young man has clear goals and has already started planning everything.
At the end of the interview, I posed a broader question: What kind of person do you want to become in the future?
Seunghu seemed prepared and had long clarified his answer to the question.
“I want to become a person who respects others and is also respected. I actually don’t have particularly grand ambitions, such as becoming a president or a politician, or someone with global influence. I still want to focus on improving myself continuously, making myself better, and then strive to influence the people around me, making the community I live in better. I believe that when the world around us gradually becomes better, the world itself will surely get better too.”
Time keeps moving, and new stories will unfold. And the person writing these stories is sprinting towards the future.
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Author:
Fancy Fan (Admin Officer)
