A Life with Hope & A Life with Ideal by Aura Lee GS '02

My name is Aura Lee. I run an English language school for elementary, middle, and high school students in Korea. Whenever I stand in front of students in class, I feel energetic and blissful. That is why I became a teacher. 

But things got tough; changes in educational policy, economic recession, unmotivated students …. 

I became frustrated. Teaching was not joyful anymore. I could not stand in front of students. To make matters worse, both my parents were diagnosed with cancer. It seemed there was nothing I could do to change the situation. When I was on the verge of giving up my dream, I read the founder’s message for our class. 

Education is a sublime, all-out spiritual struggle demanding the commitment of our entire being…”  

Feeling empowered I determined not to be defeated. 

So far, three of my students went to SUA and two to SUJ. 

Hopefully, through my lessons, my students can appreciate more about life and humanity.  

Above all, I hope they believe in themselves and live hope-filled lives. 

To win is important. But I believe not to be defeated is more important. 

This is what I learned from the founder and my SUA family, the source of my inspiration.