Sour Memory Disturbs Va. Tech Students
Title
Sour Memory Disturbs Va. Tech Students
Description
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Virginia Tech (VT) students didn't want to think about the massacre incident any more during the press conference with Korean media.
Eighteen students and two professors of the school visited Konkuk University on Tuesday where they will attend summer school programs for a month.
When it came to the shooting rampage by a South Korean immigrant student, they were firm in not talking about the past, saying none of them personally knew the killer or were at the scene of the crime.
``We do not judge Korea on the actions of one. We really ask that the media respect our grieving process,'' said Adnan Barqawi, 19, who is studying accounting and information system at VT. ``I personally lost two friends during the incident, I think that being on my own and being with my friends is what is going to help me.''
``Coming to Korea happened because this is a part of my education. We have an increasing participation of the people of this world. My intention is not to stop my education because of adversity. I am here to learn and pursue my education,'' Adnan added.
All students were wearing maroon and orange ribbons on their shirts. Asked the meaning of the ribbons, Cheryl Tait, 22, said that they represent the support of VT from all the universities in the United States. ``The ribbons symbolize our hope and all the support for one another,'' she said.
Instead, VT members were excited about their new experience in Korea and wanted to talk about the programs they are scheduled to take part in here.
``This study abroad program was planned before the shooting. The students signed up and although they could have cancelled their decision to come, none of them did,'' VT professor Devi Gnyawali said. ``The study abroad program is a joint one with Japan and Korea. To learn about the culture and to tour various Korean companies for example Samsung and Hyundai, we came here.''
Lastly, they confirmed that the brutal incident will not affect Korean people at all. ``Generalizing a group of people because of the action of one person, in my opinion, would be wrong because Cho was sick, he had mental illness which could effect everyone and so I think to associate Koreans with ill will is wrong,'' said Daniel Lesneski, 20, who is studying finance.
``I agree with Daniel, I am a Korean American and I know from personal experience there was no hostility toward us _ we are a big community and no one was singled out,'' said Elizabeth Chin, 20, who is majoring in accounting.
kswho@koreatimes.co.kr
Jung Joo-yang, Joan Kim, Korea Times interns, contributed to this article.
--
Original Source: Korea Times
<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=3760&categoryCode=117
">http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=3760&categoryCode=117</a>
Staff Reporter
Virginia Tech (VT) students didn't want to think about the massacre incident any more during the press conference with Korean media.
Eighteen students and two professors of the school visited Konkuk University on Tuesday where they will attend summer school programs for a month.
When it came to the shooting rampage by a South Korean immigrant student, they were firm in not talking about the past, saying none of them personally knew the killer or were at the scene of the crime.
``We do not judge Korea on the actions of one. We really ask that the media respect our grieving process,'' said Adnan Barqawi, 19, who is studying accounting and information system at VT. ``I personally lost two friends during the incident, I think that being on my own and being with my friends is what is going to help me.''
``Coming to Korea happened because this is a part of my education. We have an increasing participation of the people of this world. My intention is not to stop my education because of adversity. I am here to learn and pursue my education,'' Adnan added.
All students were wearing maroon and orange ribbons on their shirts. Asked the meaning of the ribbons, Cheryl Tait, 22, said that they represent the support of VT from all the universities in the United States. ``The ribbons symbolize our hope and all the support for one another,'' she said.
Instead, VT members were excited about their new experience in Korea and wanted to talk about the programs they are scheduled to take part in here.
``This study abroad program was planned before the shooting. The students signed up and although they could have cancelled their decision to come, none of them did,'' VT professor Devi Gnyawali said. ``The study abroad program is a joint one with Japan and Korea. To learn about the culture and to tour various Korean companies for example Samsung and Hyundai, we came here.''
Lastly, they confirmed that the brutal incident will not affect Korean people at all. ``Generalizing a group of people because of the action of one person, in my opinion, would be wrong because Cho was sick, he had mental illness which could effect everyone and so I think to associate Koreans with ill will is wrong,'' said Daniel Lesneski, 20, who is studying finance.
``I agree with Daniel, I am a Korean American and I know from personal experience there was no hostility toward us _ we are a big community and no one was singled out,'' said Elizabeth Chin, 20, who is majoring in accounting.
kswho@koreatimes.co.kr
Jung Joo-yang, Joan Kim, Korea Times interns, contributed to this article.
--
Original Source: Korea Times
<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=3760&categoryCode=117
">http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=3760&categoryCode=117</a>
Creator
Kang Shin-who
Date
2007-10-09
Contributor
Haeyong Chung
Language
eng
Citation
Kang Shin-who, “Sour Memory Disturbs Va. Tech Students,” The April 16 Archive, accessed November 2, 2024, https://april16archive.org/index.php/items/show/1438.