Who we are
We help colleges and universities move beyond good intentions — and into meaningful action — to support international students.
At Dr. Lemon Group, we guide institutions in building systems that are culturally responsive, compassionate, and sustainable. Our work ensures international students aren’t just enrolled — but truly seen, heard, and valued.
Our Vision
A world where campuses thrive through belonging — where international students grow, contribute, and feel at home.
We believe international student support should be:
Culturally responsive — honoring diverse backgrounds and lived experiences
Compassionate — prioritizing care, equity, and well-being
Sustainable — built to evolve with students' changing needs
Intentional — making sure students feel empowered, not overlooked
Transformative — enriching institutions through international voices and perspectives
Dr. Kyoungah Lee
Aaffectionately known as “Dr. Lemon” — is a higher education professional, educator, and former international student. Originally from South Korea, she studied in the Philippines before continuing her journey in the U.S. Today, she helps institutions create more inclusive, compassionate support for international and AAPI students.
Her work is grounded in personal experience and professional expertise. Dr. Lee earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pittsburgh, where she researched international students’ sense of belonging. She also holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration and dual bachelor’s degrees in Business and Economics from the University at Buffalo (SUNY).
Dr. Lemon 🍋
Why “Dr. Lemon”?
At my doctoral defense, someone asked how I wanted to be addressed. “Dr. Lee”? While I’m proud of that name, in Korea names like Lee, Park, and Kim are very common. I wanted something more fun, personal, and meaningful — so I chose Dr. Lemon: still starting with an L, but uniquely my own.
I've always loved the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” — it perfectly captures my journey. Studying, working, and living abroad brought plenty of lemons: crises, cultural barriers, and uncertainty. But over time, I learned to turn those sour moments into something meaningful.
My Journey
There were countless challenges — feeling lost in new systems, facing visa stress, and constantly adapting. I often wonder how I got through it all so young.
Some “lemons” I remember clearly:
Freshman year, I joined a leadership program and lived with student leaders. I was the only international student — proud to be there, but silently struggling. While others debated with confidence, I often sat quiet, smiling to hide my discomfort.
After graduation, the lemons didn’t stop. In my first job at Pitt, I was invited to a meeting and wanted so badly to contribute. But I froze. I smiled through it, then cried in my office. Even after a decade abroad, I still felt like I was learning how to belong.
Turning Lemons into Strengths
What changed? The things I once saw as weaknesses — my language barrier, cultural differences, and the feeling of being “the only one” — became my greatest strengths.
Today, as someone who has lived the experience, studied it, researched it, and now practices it every day, I support international and AAPI students. Because I’ve lived through those quiet struggles, I see them. I make space for them. I connect. When new colleagues join, I lead with warmth and empathy — because I know what it’s like to feel out of place.
Who You Are
A reflection on what it means to support international students with care and intention
Dear Fellow Educators, Advisors, and Allies —
🌱 Have you ever transplanted a tree?
There’s nothing wrong with the tree. But when it’s moved to new soil, it experiences stress. The environment is unfamiliar. The roots, though healthy, struggle to take hold. It may not bloom right away — not because it’s broken, but because it’s adjusting.
That’s what I see in international students. They leave behind everything familiar — their families, their routines, their language. They arrive with strength and potential, but in a system that often wasn’t designed with them in mind. And just like the transplanted tree, they may not flourish right away.
🌿 That’s where we come in.
We are the gardeners. Not hunters chasing performance — but cultivators of growth. We offer:
• Guidance, when the environment feels overwhelming
• Patience, when progress feels slow
• A safe space, when everything else feels uncertain
We water, we watch, we wait. We remind students that struggling to take root is not failure — it’s part of becoming.
🌳 With time, they bloom.
Their roots settle. Their voices grow. They begin to contribute — not just academically, but as vital parts of the community. They thrive. And the campus thrives with them.
💚 To everyone doing this work:
Your care makes a difference. Every small kindness — every name remembered, every voice welcomed — helps students grow into who they’re meant to be.
Let’s keep gardening. Together. 🌍💛
Contact us
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