Ngan Ho

San Angelo Standard-Times

SAN ANGELO—The San Antonio Police Department are investigating a vehicle burglary that left 28 student teachers from Korea with their personal belongings stolen during a weekend excursion to experience Texas history.

Thieves on Sunday in San Antonio broke into some ASU vans that had been used for the trip and stole the students' luggage including laptops, souvenirs and several passports, among other items, according to San Angelo Independent School District officials.

"This was somewhat of a terrible welcome to the US," said Won-Jae Lee, ASU professor who spearheaded the teaching program. "They are devastated. They didn't expect the probability of this happening."

The Korean students recently came to San Angelo as part of a five-week long university teaching program collaborated between ASU and SAISD.

Fort Concho Elementary has raised awareness to the international students situation through its Facebook page. The school has asked the community for help in covering the cost of the personal items lost as a result of the incident.

“We are truly saddened that these students have seen such an ugly side of our great state," Lori Barton, principle at Fort Concho Elementary said. "It is not reflective of the majority of Texans or of our San Angelo community. I know that they will see our community reach out to them and they will leave knowing that there are many more good people than bad.”

Donations can be made by February 15 to any of the six SAISD elementary schools hosting the students—Fort Concho, Santa Rita, Holiman, Fannin, Lamar and Alta Loma Elementary.

People can also mail and make donations out to the Fort Concho Parent Teacher Organization, 310 E Washington, and designate "Korean students" on checks or envelopes. Collections will be divided equally between the 28 students.

"You just hope that they don't think it's a reflection of how all of America is," said Jeff Bright, assistant superintendent. "They're an outstanding groups of kids."

The student-teacher program began last year with eight Korean international students participating at Fort Concho Elementary. The program was a success and grew this year to six SAISD elementary schools hosting 28 students, Bright said.

The students flew to town on Jan. 15 and spent their first week at ASU. The students are now living with 17 local host families and began teaching on Jan. 23. The the program ends on Feb. 19 when the students will return home.

"It's really a net program and it's been really great up until then," Bright said. "And our students and teachers are really enjoying it was well."

Lee said that insurance does not cover personal items taken from the vans, which means that the students could use support from the community to recoup some of their losses.

"The host families are doing their best to care for the students," Lee said. "Any help is greatly appreciated."

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