KyungChan Min

Class of 2025, KyungChan Min, excitedly awaits the upcoming months when he’ll begin Korea University’s Electrical Engineering program. KyungChan is one of only four students from the three-year track of studying overseas accepted into the prestigious program, and he is joined by a graduate from our LifePlus partner school, Yantai Huasheng International School (YHIS). While he’s still considering his future career, he’s expressed interest in becoming an airplane mechanic. His former teachers from TIS continue to cheer him on, just as they did during his five years here, encouraging him to keep pursuing opportunities and excellence even in the most challenging and discouraging moments.

While at our school, KyungChan took on leadership roles and pursued connections. Along with participating in the extracurriculars, Robotics Club and soccer, he served as Secretary General for Tianjin Model United Nations (TIANMUN) and as our Student Council’s Vice President. In these roles, he gained insight on what often takes years to learn. “As a leader, you don’t get direct feedback from other people as much as you think at first. So, it’s really hard to actually realize that you’re going the wrong way or if [you’re] doing the right things. So, that’s why you have to be more objective when you try to do something as a leader. That’s one of the most important lessons I learned in TIS.”

"... you have to be more objective when you try to do something as a leader."

KyungChan also recognized the importance of connection with both his peers and his teachers. While playing soccer, overwhelmed with preparation for AP tests, KyungChan considered quitting, though he enjoyed the sport. He approached the coach, Mr. Jonathan Barta, who had long been one of KyungChan’s favorite science and math teachers, and expressed his thoughts. Receiving encouragement and advice, KyungChan ultimately chose to stick with soccer and received continuous support from Mr. Barta throughout the season.

So, too, KyungChan found encouragement through connection after being rejected by a university. Occurring at the same time as our annual LifePlus Fine Arts Festival, KyungChan told our band teacher, Mrs. Emmy Chen, he’d like to withdraw from the event. “She told me, ‘If you go now, it’s fine. But the thing is, it wouldn’t help you.’ And I thought, ‘That’s true. What would I do if I went back home?’ So, I chose to do the rehearsal and do the Fine Arts Festival, and it’s very memorable to me. She had sympathy for me. She was actually thinking for me and then guided me to the right way. And I had a great day! One of the greatest days at TIS. That moment with Mrs. Chen was the best memory I have.”

"I had a great day! One of the greatest days at TIS."

As KyungChan looks forward to Korea University, he says connection will be vital. “It’s going to be all new connections from other people. Different professors, different friends. So, when you’re in a new environment, the first thing that you get to do is make connections.”

While KyungChan is currently in Korea, he hasn’t transitioned just yet. “My heart’s still at TIS. My heart’s still in China.” He’s kept connections with LifePlus, tutoring one student from our school and one from our partner school, International School of Qingdao (ISQ), in English and AP Biology. We are so excited for his upcoming journey and know he will achieve great things.