The Hungarian Student, 1958 (2. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1958 / 3. szám
4 the Hungarian student STUDENT REPORT-A NEW LIFE by IVAN LUKA Ivan Luka and Rudy Kreybig, freedom fighters, beginning a new life at Linfield College. HUNGARIAN HISTORY (iContinued from page 3.) Debrecen. In turn, his people elected him as first President of the Republic of Hungary. The Hapsburgs called on the Russian Czar to put down the little nation in order to protect the ancient principle of absolutism. The overwhelming combined forces of Austria and Russia crushed the smaller country and Hungary was again a helpless pawn. Kossuth went to the United States and England where he was received as a hero. He was honored in every important city in the United States and became the second man in the history of the United States to be allowed to participate in a session of Congress. (Lafayette was the first.) Kossuth died in exile in Italy but was returned to be buried in Budapest by a people who never forgot him. Eventually Hungary gained some of the reforms it sought but it remained a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until after World War I. In the Treaty of Trianon in 1921, Hungary lost almost two-thirds of its territory and population to Yugoslavia, Rumania, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. Controlled by Germany in World War II, the Soviet Army swept into the country in 1945 and in 1947. Lesson of Hungary > The Communist system, with its suppression of all freedom and its method of fine words* contradicted by unspeakable terror, took control of every segment of the national life. The Soviet Union thought it had gained another colony. They gained a territory, but never the people. This is evident from what we have seen in the days and events of October and November, 1956. From November to March, we witnessed an amazing exodus. Over 125,000 Hungarians left their homeland. If they remained, their only alternatives were death or deportation. Ahead lay freedom and the opportunity to tell the West the truth of the hypocrisy of communism. We received them in our schools, our factories, our homes. But, have we welcomed them? Have we heeded the important message they have brought to us? Some of us, yes—many of us, no. This great country, haven to countless thousands in the past, seems to have closed its eyes and ears. What can we do, as Americans, as men trying to make the world a better place in which to live and work? We can extend a welcome and helping hand to the Hungarian students on our campuses, in our communities. Listen to them, learn from them. In this day, with the shadow of the Kremlin over half the world, a small people have unmasked the diabolical intent of a totalitarian regime. We can write letters to our Congressmen and Senators asking them to initiate and support legislation which will open our gates to these oppressed peoples. We can influence public opinion so that these people will receive a truly American welcome. We owe them this little gratitude. They have exposed the wolf in lamb’s clothing. ON SEPTEMBER 15, I arrived in Portland, by plane from New York. There I took the bus to Minnville, where a scholarship was awaiting me. I had butterflies in my stomach as I stepped onto the narrow bridge which led from Highway 99 to the College. At the head of the bridge a small sign read: Linfield College. I started out with a small airline bag in my hand and big plans in my heart. As I walked towards the registration office, which was set up on the lawn on that sunny September day, the events of the past year ran through my mind. My family, my home, the Revolution, the days spent in Austria and my arrival in the United States. Who would have thought a year ago that this Fall I would be walking across the campus of a college in the United States with a full years scholarship in my pocket. Is all this just a dream? I rubbed my egyes. “Hi!” called a girl sitting at the registration desk. “Oh, thank heavens, I am alive and not dreaming,” I thought happily. “Hi! I am one of the Hungarian students who was awarded a scholarship to Linfield College,” I explained to my fellow student in my nice thick Transdanubian English accent. Suddenly, all eyes turned towards me. “Are you really? That’s not what I expected! Well, we’ll see what those famous Hungarians are like.” Those were the exclamations I read in their eyes. Soon, they found a boy with a car who was to become my aid. With his help we quickly got through with all the procedures —from settling into my new lodgings to finding a desk lamp. “Your room will be in the newly built Omega Delta Phi fraternity house,” concluded my willing helper, with whom I had become very friendly in this short time. Less than half an hour later, the other Hungarian student, who was to be my roommate, arrived. I was most happy about this because I would have a chance to talk to someone about home. After going to bed that night we counted the four corners of the room, so that our first dream, our first wish, would come true. I wonder if Americans know about this custom? During the next few days we made new friends, toured the class rooms, looked at the theater, sports facilities and the President’s home. We met the professors. Everyone was friendly and made jokes, but unfortunately, for the time being, I could not understand much of the rapid talk and jokes; I grinned whenever I saw others laugh. On the 19th, classes started. Because of my limited English I had a hard time studying the first month, but during these past few weeks a sudden change has set in. I can understand fairly well almost everything that is said in class and I feel certain that my grades will be much better next semester. The snapshot that I am enclosing, by the way, shows myself and another Hungarian student at Linfield College. This picture appeared in the school paper as well as in the local papers with the following caption: “Ivan Luka and Rudy Kreybig, Hungarian Freedom fighters at the College. Their smile is in appreciation of American food as they get ready for Sunday dinner in the College dining room.”
