Internationalmatt's Blog

Old Friends from Korea at Graduation Ceremony at UNL

Last Friday I went to the PHD/Masters Graduation Ceremony at UNL and ran into some old friends of mine from Korea. It was awesome to see them again and to catch up with them a little. I saw Taiwan and his family and in fact watched Taiwan graduate and be hooded with his PHD in Management. I met with Taiwan and his wife Lee Joo for their first year in Lincoln to help them practice conversational English. I enjoyed several afternoons in their apartment talking and occasionally eating Korean food. They have two children now and moved to Pennsylvania this week where Taiwan will begin his next adventure of being a Professor.

Taiwan receiving his diploma

I am sure Taiwan and Lee Joo will be great assets to the community in Scranton. They are both quality people and have been great friends for Korean students here in Lincoln. I had not seen them for a while. I used to be much more active with the Korean community in Lincoln until God took my life a different direction. It was a wonderful blessing to see them and their children. It was awesome to see my friend Taiwan realize his dream after a lot of hard work. I also saw my old friend Dr. Sang Lee. He was Taiwan’s Advising Professor.

Taiwan and Dr. Lee

Dr. Lee has helped numerous students over the years whether as a Professor in class or advising PHD and Masters students. He has also mentored many young people from Korea over the years. When I saw him, we shook hands and he said “it has been a long time” as he smiled. I agreed that it has been a long time. I got to know Dr. Lee when our mutual friend In Keun Choi battled cancer and after In Keun died as we helped his family. Dr. Lee’s own story of growing up as a child during the Korean War, and the years after the war to becoming a professor in America, is an inspiring story.

Dr. Lee is an avid golfer and I think if he could choose to be one, he would be a professional golfer I used to joke with him and tell him there was no golf in heaven and he would correct me on that

It was such a blessing to see my friend Thiago receive his PHd. Seeing Taiwan graduate and seeing Dr. Lee again made it even more special. Congratulations Taiwan and Thiago and all graduates last Friday.

August 17, 2011 - Posted by internationalmatt | Education, Experiences of international friends, International Friendships, international students, Internationals, Korean friends, Uncategorized