Study Abroad is a Learning Experience?
MARCY L. TANTER
April 10, 2020
Hyuk-min was excited to go to America,
To Texas where "everything is bigger!"
He packed his bags with Korean gifts,
Foods to share with new friends.
This would be the trip of a lifetime
And a dream come true.
Hyuk-min arrived in late January,
In Texas where the weather was warm,
A surprise for his Korean-winter-cold bones
But a good one!
He settled into his dorm room,
Became friends with his roommate.
Hyuk-min went to classes and bars,
To Texas BBQ and barbershops.
He was fitting in and having fun,
Everyone seemed to like him.
The virus news made everyone uneasy,
But college kids were safe.
Hyuk-min heard masks were being sent
To Texas where there were few.
"The United States now has more
Corona cases than South Korea!"
In America, people were sick and dying,
College kids went on spring break.
Hyuk-min went to LA for his break,
From Texas to see his uncle.
"Maybe you should go home,
Not so many cases there."
But Hyuk-min wanted to stay,
To enjoy his time in Texas.
Hyuk-min got an email from school,
From Texas saying spring break was extended.
Classes were moving online,
Come back to campus but not to class.
He hugged samcheon goodbye,
Anxious to see his friends.
Hyuk-min took a plane from LA,
To Texas, a 3-hour ride.
He took a taxi to his dorm,
Expecting to see everyone.
He arrived on campus and
Saw no one there.
Hyuk-min stepped off the elevator,
In Texas, his temporary home.
He got to his room,
He pulled out his key
To open the door and
Stopped.
Hyuk-min felt afraid.
Hyuk-min stood stock-still,
In Texas, where he wanted to be.
On the door of his room
Signs had been hung:
"Go back to where you came from
And take your virus with you!"
Hyuk-min felt hurt and angry,
In Texas, where he should be happy.
"Yellow Peril! do not enter!"
"Get out of here, you Ch**K!"
He read the words over and over,
They became blurred.
Hyuk-min packed his bags
To leave Texas, where he'd wanted to be.
No roommate or friends to defend him,
No goodbyes to be said.
Hyuk-min flew home to Korea that night,
From Texas, where he'd wanted to be.
MARCY L. TANTER is a Professor of English at Tarleton State University, where she has taught since 1998. Her areas of interest are American and British literature of the long 19th century and Korean Studies.
