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When SANGBIN LEE ’18 transferred to Lancaster Mennonite as a sophomore, he had just moved from South Korea and faced the daunting challenge of starting over in a new culture, a new language, and a new school. Despite the uncertainty, he found community faster than he expected. “I was pretty nervous at first coming in, not knowing anyone and adjusting to a new environment,” Sangbin recalled. “Lucky enough, I quickly found my people through baseball and Campus Chorale. Whether it was just hanging out in the dugout or traveling for a choir concert, I started building friendships that felt real and welcoming.”
Sangbin credits the LM environment for helping him form authentic relationships with students from many different backgrounds. He especially remembers the everyday moments—little conversations with friends, shared experiences on the field or stage, and the comfort of being accepted just as he was.
One of his most meaningful LM experiences came during his senior year during mini course—a backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon led by teacher Mr. Thurber. “We didn’t have our phones the whole time, which gave us a chance to just talk, hike, make meals together, and bond with one another,” he said. “I still look back at pictures from that trip and remember how special it felt to just disconnect from everything and be fully present with friends.”
Now several years out of high school, Sangbin still values the friendships he formed at LM. “We’ve all gone in different directions since high school, but there’s something special about people who knew me during those years,” he said. “Having friends from a whole new background speaking my second language feels unique, and I’m truly thankful for the friendships that we built.”
For Sangbin, those connections remain lifelong
