04 May 2026 James Yeon's Lincoln graduation 20 years in the making

That journey began more than 20 years ago, when he first came to Christchurch.

“When I first visited Christchurch in 2004, I was deeply impressed by the city,” he said.

“That experience stayed with me. I later sent my children here to study, and when I was thinking about how we could live together as a family again, I discovered Lincoln University.”

Originally from Korea, James came to Lincoln with professional experience in big data, AI and cloud computing, as well as bachelor’s degrees in industrial engineering and statistics.

Lincoln’s strong sense of community and hands-on learning environment stood out to him.

“Lincoln offered a practical education and a warm, supportive community. The opportunity to learn and grow alongside students from diverse backgrounds was especially appealing to me.

“This place has become more than a university to me, it has been a meaningful turning point in my life.”

While James brought strong technical expertise to the programme, adapting to study in a new country came with its challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges during my studies was English. Sometimes it made classes, team projects and my internship more difficult because I wasn’t fully fluent.

“But working with classmates from all over the world improved my communication skills and helped me become more confident.”

Despite the language barrier, James threw himself into campus life. As Founder and President of Lincoln University Culture of Korea (LUCK), he helped promote Korean culture on campus and created an inclusive space for students from diverse backgrounds.

One of the highlights of his year was completing an internship with Selwyn District Council, where he put his studies into practice while also learning more about New Zealand’s work culture.

Working in the council's Transportation Asset Data Improvement team, James helped manage the data behind the roads, pathways and signage that keep Selwyn moving safely.

James now looks ahead with refreshed expertise and direction. Later this year, he plans to return to Korea to establish a company focused on AI consulting and education development, while staying connected to New Zealand through LUDA Research Group, the non-profit organisation he recently founded to support technology and knowledge exchange between the two countries. He will also serve as a board member of Kiwi Alumni Korea, helping strengthen ties within this alumni community.

For now, James is enjoying life in Christchurch with his family, who will all be there to celebrate his achievement on Friday. 

“Having my family with me makes the moment even more special. After a year of adapting to a new environment and taking on many challenges, it feels both exciting and emotional to be almost crossing the stage.”