Chelsey Goetz | Contributing Writer

Assistant Professor of Mathematics Timothy McDaniel and Associate Professor of Experimental Psychology Wind Goodfriend, along with twelve Buena Vista University (BVU) students, had been planning for months for a trip of a lifetime: an inside look to the mysterious country of North Korea. Tickets were purchased, agendas were tentatively set, and excitement was high as the date of departure, March 23, grew closer. Then on Friday, March 22, plans were drastically altered.

McDaniel said he and Goodfriend had been closely observing the news out of North Korea continuously and little activity had been happening. However, overnight that changed.

“During that night…we received a message saying the usual, North Korea was going to invade South Korea, but it also said they were taking U.S. hostages. That was a red flag to us,” McDaniel said. “Our number one concern this entire time was the students’ safety, and with the sudden propaganda in North Korea, we decided we just could not go through with the trip.”

Both professors immediately met to talk over their situation and options. They also consulted with their correspondent in North Korea; Dr. David Evans, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty; Peter Steinfeld, Associate Dean of the Faculty. Eventually they even talked to President Fred Moore and BVU’s attorney about all options and the ramifications for the university.

“We reluctantly decided that it was just too dangerous to travel there at this time,” McDaniel said.

The professors and administrators, though, did not cancel the trip altogether.

“We had these tickets to and from Beijing, China, so we just decided, ‘let’s take a trip to China.’ Students could decide if they wanted their money back or if they wanted to go on the adventure with us,” McDaniel said.

Ten of the original twelve students decided to take the plunge to travel halfway across the world to spend their spring break in China.

“I said, ‘I cannot be sitting at home during spring break thinking I could be in China right now.’ So, I was going to China,” trip participant senior April Allen said.

The trip turned out to be a success as the group explored three main Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, and Shaanxi. They climbed and stayed overnight on the Great Wall of China, had dinner in a Chinese home, and saw the 2008 Olympic stadium. They even spent a day in a North Korean part of the city where they literally got a taste of the mysterious culture in different restaurants.

“I think one of the best parts of the trip was that there really was no itinerary. We got to just hang out and explore the country and culture. We had a really awesome group, and I’m really glad I went. I was disappointed when I heard we couldn’t go to North Korea, but my interest in the country has increased even more now,” Allen said.

McDaniel explained that a future BVU trip to North Korea may still be an option.

“We definitely want to consider it again, but I think it is for the best that we should wait and let things settle down for a while before we try again,” he said.

Graphic by Krystal Schulte