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by Rebecca Ekpe

Journalism Intern, Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism

Tragedy led them to find one of the best colleges in Texas, despite their very different fates and stories. When hurricane Katrina struck in New Orleans, most people decided to move on with their lives and for two international students, Sub Lee and Sandor Kem, their best bet was to rely on tourist information from an official at the El Dorado Junction en route to Dallas.

It is simply amazing how they got information that brought them to UNT. Kem began his journey by car from New Orleans for drier ground two days before the hurricane struck. Even then, “the roads were choked.” He and his friend Benoit Martiny, headed for Houston, their first and closest option, but heavy traffic deterred them. They then drove to Memphis, Tennessee, and stayed there until the storms were over.

While the storm raged farther south, Kem took time to satisfy his curiosity about places where music history was made in the U.S.  He visited famous Beal Street known for its blues in Memphis. He also made it to Graceland to catch a glimpse of the home of the legendary Elvis Presley. It was "magical to see and be there where the king lived …and all the golden LP's.”

Kem found himself in a motel room in Memphis, Tennessee during the height of Katrina simply because all the other roads were blocked. He said they lost contact with friends, “we did not hear anything from our friends in New Orleans, all e-mails were returned, and no one answered their telephones.” Kem lost some of his dishes and clothes too, but saved his upright bass.” He is extremely crazy about jazz and happy that his musical instrument was not lost.

They finally headed west toward Dallas, and at El Dorado Junction they heard from a tourist official who is a UNT alum, and that the best school of jazz is UNT. "So we decided to check it out," Kem said.

Katrina forced Korean-born Sub Lee to abandon one year of jazz studies at the University of New Orleans. In the wake of Katrina he headed for the University of North Texas. Lee applied to study music at UNT about a year and a half ago, but Katrina is what led him finally to where he always wanted to be, in a music program he described as famous.

Lee found refuge at his aunt's friend’s home in Houston for a week. He lost a lot of personal belongings including what he cherished most, some of his musical instruments. Lee could not believe his eyes when he “saw the satellite picture of his apartment submerged in water.” He said, "I lost my guitar, 2 amps, over 700 CDs and everything. I salvaged my car, four t-shirts, four pairs of pants, two socks and my laptop."

Sub Lee and Sandor Kem

Both students are grateful and credit the University of North Texas, especially the International Studies and Programs office for help while they resettled in a dry place and back to books. The ISP was able to help with information about apartments and financial support for living expenses, and even where to shop.

In the classroom scene, although he was a sophomore at UNO, Kem is enrolled in freshman classes. He is not very happy about it, but acknowledges and describes support from faculty as “helpful and understanding.”

Most of Kem and Lee's immediate families live in their home countries of Hungary and Korea. They stayed in contact with them for emotional support during their trek across the U.S. and the families are grateful they survived and have found a place to study.

Despite the tragedy and dramatic changes in their lives, both men are optimistic about the future. They are not deterred by the situation and have decided to return to New Orleans after their studies. Kem is still holding on to his return ticket. If permitted, Lee plans to work as a volunteer in New Orleans in the future.

Full of optimism about their lives, the Katrina survivors say, “for now we are happy to make North Texas our home.”