From the Editor

Six months have passed since the latest group of grantees arrived in Korea. Regardless of if it was our first time in Korea or if Korea was like a second home, we knew there would be challenges; we would need to learn a lot. We could not have predicted, however, just how much we would learn about our own identity and that of those in this country. Situated in a foreign environment, we are challenged to view ourselves through a new lens. How fitting it is then that this issue of Infusion is filled with works that reflect our changing perspectives and what we may learn from them.

Pel Doski begins our issue with a poem aptly titled “Erudite,” embracing the new knowledge we may gain through this issue and our own time in Korea. We then learn how a new tradition can positively influence our understanding of grief through Carlee Wright’s “Unseen Spirits.” Isabel Moua teaches us about acceptance in an unexpected situation, as her host brother proves to us the universality of love and wonder. We continue with wonderment in a different sense as Jess McKay takes us into the mind of a school bus as it shares the pride it has for its job. Nathan Sieminski follows with a piece about overcoming the forced silence imposed by language barriers in order to create new connections. Next, Kyle Wardwell writes of a bizarre 경험 (kyeongheom)—an experience of thought and intrigue that sparks mid-transit. Finally, Mailé Nguyễn writes a powerful piece on bravery and embracing who we are. We end the issue with an Open Window feature where Korean students share views of their world through art, poetry, and prose.