Trilateral Youth Korean High-Tech Firm Expedition Reflection

A few days ago, I visited the headquarters for Samsung Biologics and Korean Air in South Korea through the ROK•US•JAPAN Trilateral Youth Korean High-Tech Firm Expedition. The Sumsumg tour started off with stickers being placed on our phones to prevent students from taking photos of the headquarters. We then revived a brief introduction of Samsung Biologics’s role in the Samsung company from the Manager of Marketing for Samsung Biologics. The majority of students there were in college and had already received their Master’s Degree. They were looking for possible job opportunities at Samsung or Korean Air. Despite the age gap, I made a good friend who went to a university in South Korea and had received her Master’s Degree. Sumin was 23 years old and said to me, "So, what’s your master?" I gave her a flattered look and replied, "I’m only halfway to thirty!" She and I talked together during the rest of the Samsung tour, while being educated on Samsung’s construction plans for the future and their employees’ benefits. We then looked at the machinery used by Samsung Biologics for manufacturing. Afterwards, we had lunch at a Korean restaurant nearby. We enjoyed Kimchi, Kimpop, and Bimimpop together. Then, we both fell asleep on the long bus ride to the headquarters of Korean Air.

The Korean Air tour took place at many buildings and was a little more interactive than our tour at Samsung. We were also allowed to take photos of certain things, but, of course, many things were off limits for our photos. During our tour, we learned about the benefits and safety Korean Air provides for both its passengers and employees. After many more stops during this part of our tour, we saw airplanes and helicopters used by Korean Air and the office where the employees were working. We saw current flight attendants, who were in charge of the security during Korean Air flights, do a demonstration of what they would do if the airplane crashed into water. Then, they demonstrated how they would tie up drunk and aggressive passengers causing commotion. The employees doing the demonstration made it clear that they only tie up passengers after several serious warnings. The passengers would be set free if they said they were truly sorry and it wouldn't happen again. The employee doing this demonstration had previously worked as a security guard for the President of Indonesia. After the tour, I made sure to get Sumin’s Instagram and we took many selfies.

All participants of this tour received a well-earned certificate, spoons that were used during Uigwe on the wedding of Ming Yeongjo and Queen Jeongsun from the National Museum, a much-needed fan during the summer in South Korea, and delicious snacks. Finally, all participants now have the opportunity to participate in a competition in which we share our experience during this tour through an essay, or video, for prize money in the form of Korean won!