Kim Hjelmgaard reporting in Belarus near the border with Ukraine in March. Photo courtesy of Kim Hjelmgaard
Kim Hjelmgaard is a European correspondent and deputy world editor at USA TODAY, where he has worked from London and Berlin. He has also worked as a London bureau chief, editor and writer for The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch.
Hometown: At anchor on my father’s boat.
Education: English Masters, St Andrews University.
Languages: Danish.
Year you joined the OPC: 2015.
What drew you to international reporting? The food.
You recently visited Chernobyl for the 30th anniversary of its nuclear disaster. What was that experience like? Bureaucratic, initially. In terms of getting all the paperwork to get there, particularly for access to the Exclusion Zone in Belarus (Ukraine’s Exclusion Zone is more well-known). Once I got there it was frighteningly ordinary. It looked like a national park.
Major challenge as a journalist: Always knowing the difference between affect and effect.
Best journalism advice received: All advice is prejudice.
Worst experience as a journalist: Not sure I have had it yet (knock on wood).
When traveling, you like to … Do as much of my reporting as I can from my phone: writing, images, podcasts, video and social media.
Hardest story: They are all hard.
Most memorable interview: Mohamad Helani, 12, Syrian refugee, in southern Serbia.
Journalism heroes: Studs Terkel.
Advice for journalists who want to work overseas: If not a staffer at a news org, be prepared to go to where you want to be and set yourself up as an expert on the country/region.
Dream job: Carpenter, shoe maker or anything that involves being good with your hands (I am terrible with my hands).
Favorite quote: Although you work hard you are still lucky (from a fortune cookie).
Place you’re most eager to visit: South Pacific – by boat; Iran.
Most over-the-top assignment: I “delivered” two royal babies in London (my contribution: waiting outside the hospital with hundreds of other reporters for Kate Middleton to give birth).
Country you most want to return to: In Europe: Greece.
Twitter handle: @khjelmgaard
Want to add to the OPC’s collection of Q&As with members? Please contact patricia@opcofamerica.org.