Kim Na-yeon, Bae Hye-min From Division of China Won an Encouragement in Diplomatic Service's Contest

Cub-reporter Choi Ha-eun

haeun.choi.2002@gmail.com

Lots of students at Busan University of Foreign studies have traveled or even lived abroad. Even these days, lots of people are traveling overseas since the pandemic is almost over. Traveling leaves good memories, but there are things that we must always be careful about in order to have safe trips. Kim Na-yeon and Bae Hye-min from the Division of China made a video for a safe trip and won an encouragement prize from a contest held by the diplomatic service! The Woeseong Times interviewed them to hear about how they created their video and what we should know about how to travel safely.

Q1. Could you please introduce yourself?

A. I am Kim Na-yeon, majoring in the Division of China. I participated in the 'experiences of accidents or incidents from overseas' contest held by the diplomatic service as 'Team Yeong-sa girl TV.' I am very delighted and excited for my interview to hit the papers.

B. I am Bae Hye-min, majoring in the Division of China. I also participated in the ‘experiences of accidents or incidents from overseas contest.' I enjoy challenges and I am very excited for this interview.

Q2. Congratulations for winning a prize in the contest held by the diplomatic service. How did you feel about it?

A. Thank you so much. This contest means a lot to me. This is the first contest that I have won an award for and more than anything else, I realized that nothing is impossible after I participated in the contest. We created this content when we went to China as exchange students and the area had been locked down. Because of the lockdown, we had to create a video only with a few people and limited equipment. That is why I worried and wondered, 'Can we really do this?', but I was so overjoyed when I saw my team on the award list. Though it is a participation prize, it means more than a first prize for me.

B. Thank you. I thought that just participating in the contest would be productive for me, so I enjoyed it. However, the award made it more precious and an enjoyable memory of it. That is why this contest has more meaning for me.

Q3. How did you decide to participate in the contest?

A. The topic of the contest was ‘dangerous situations that can occur on international trips and how to deal with them.' I thought that it would be a great help for many people to make a video clip about the current situation regarding conflicts between nations and crimes of racial discrimination that are getting worse. While I was in China, I often edited vlog videos and Hye-min asked me to participate in the contest after seeing that. Her nice idea and my editing skill made a good synergy to create content for the contest.

B. I decided to participate in the contest because I was feeling sluggish and lethargic during the lockdown in Shanghai. Since I wanted to do something productive, I looked for contact free contests and someone recommended this contest from the diplomatic service. I thought participating itself was productive and good for me. Na-yeon and I were roommates and I often saw her edit her YouTube videos, so I asked her to do this together.

Q4. Could you explain the diplomacy platform and must-have items that you pointed out in the video?

A. Due to the pandemic, domestic and foreign situations keep changing every day and it is very confusing. However, if you go on to the 'diplomatic overseas safe trip website,' you can get safety information that gets updated daily with speed and accuracy. Also, you can use the counseling service and interpreting service if you get into an accident in a foreign country after downloading an app called, '04 call center.' For must-have items, these include passport, cash, a wallet that you can wear around your neck, a portable charger, masks, medicine, and Korean food. Especially, a wallet that you can wear around your neck is very helpful. You can prevent being pickpocketed and quickly take out your passport and various documents when you go through immigration.

B. As Na-yeon said, we delivered information about the diplomatic website and the call center in the videoclip. Then, we introduced some items that would make your trip better. For example, a passport is what you must take, and we recommended to take adapters for different outlets overseas.

Q5. The ‘04 call center' sounds very important! Do you personally travel a lot or like to travel?

A. Since I like to stay at home, I do not often go on trips. Nevertheless, I cannot forget 'Nara deer park' in Nara Prefecture Japan. We did not plan to go there at first, but I suggested to my family that we go on impulse since I like animals. There are deer walking around freely, so you can feed and pat them. They sell cookies for the deer at the entrance, and I put them in my pocket and a deer bit my pocket to eat one. It happened five years ago, but my family still talks about it. It is a joyful and precious memory. I recommend Nara Park for those who want to meet cute deer.

B. I usually enjoy going to new environments. I personally like resting on trips and traveling widens my sight. Every time I went back home from new environments, I felt I could think wider, so I really like traveling. I have been to Japan, China and within the country, I went to Yeosu, Daegu, Seoul, Jeon-ju, Bo-sung, Changwon, and Geong-ju.

Q6. Could you share your experiences of incidents or accidents overseas?

A. Currently, every visitor of China has to quarantine for 21 days in a designated hotel to prevent the spread of COVID-19. When I was staying in my hotel, I smelled something burning late at night. The scent got worse, and I quickly took out my passport and cell phone in case I had to evacuate. Fortunately, there was not a fire in the hotel, but I was very frightened at that moment. That is why I strongly recommend for those who go abroad to always put their passport and cell phone where you can see them and be aware of the number of the hotel's front desk in case of an emergency.

B. I think my passport is the only thing that can prove my identity overseas. Especially in China, police sometimes hold foreigners and make them prove their identities. They would not even take the passport and I had to show my student i.d.. Because of that, I always had my passport and student i.d. with me. Also, my aunt lost her passport in Hawaii. I think passports are the most important thing overseas.

Q7. Do you have anything you want to say additionally for those who saw your video?

A. I think there are many people who are sad for not being able to travel due to COVID-19. I also was sad thinking we might never be able to travel anymore. However, as I prepared for this contest, I found out that there are many policies and institutions that protects our citizens to have safe trips and that we can get help from them every time we face hardships. I hope everyone plans for overseas trips by referring to what we introduced through our video when the pandemic situation gets better.

B. When you travel to a foreign country or new places, you might be nervous, but Korea has a very good system that protects citizens residing in a foreign country. Therefore, if you are aware of the system of Korea, you will be able to relax more.