LEE Kangmin

Thanks to his multicultural upbringing, Lee Kangmin (Harry), applied to the AFLSP ready to strengthen his cultural intelligence and contribute to Bai Xian’s mission by bringing his unique experiences. He reflects back on his time as a Bai Xian Scholar and considers some of his biggest takeaways and how the AFLSP challenged him to further broaden his perspectives.

Having grown up in Korea and the Philippines, Harry, who is currently in Japan pursuing his master’s degree at Kyoto University, is no stranger to cultural immersion. And though he describes each move to a new country as some of the “hardest challenges” of his life, he believes his journey has enabled him to appreciate the value of fostering connections between people of different cultures. “The mission of BXAI deeply resonates with me as I have seen first-hand the importance of building bridges that transcend borders, language, and culture,” says Harry.

Upon his arrival at the BXAI Summer Program in Shanghai, Harry admits he was concerned that it would be difficult to connect with his fellow scholars, who came from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Once conversations began to flow, however, Harry’s initial apprehension quickly subsided. “I soon realized that our diversity actually served as our common ground,” he says. “At the end of the day, we’re all people. We have similar emotions and we are not so different after all.” As friendships developed over late-night conversations about life, careers, marriage, and dreams, Harry’s perspectives began to shift. “Just hearing about their ideas and experiences, which were so refreshing and different from what I’m used to, enabled me to see the world in a new way,” he says, recalling that his Summer Program peers also inspired him to rethink his future path. “I felt quite uncertain about my future at the time, but hearing the other scholars share their dreams opened my eyes to a host of new possibilities and opportunities.”

For Harry, the final presentation at the end of the Summer Program was one of his AFLSP highlights. Though his team faced cultural barriers and disagreements, he believes the task challenged him to reconsider what it means to be a good team player. “I used to avoid conflict all the time, but I learned that for the sake of the team, we need to address difficult topics even if it is uncomfortable.” The experience also gave him new insights into leadership and community, which he has found particularly helpful as president of the Korean Alumni Association at Kyoto University. “For a community to flourish, I’ve learned that leaders need to encourage active involvement from their team members, and this requires mutual trust, understanding, and alignment of vision. If the community thrives, its members will thrive.”