Sixteen journalism students are going for the gold this summer, as the Reynolds School of Journalism prepares to travel to the Olympic Games in Paris. Along with a group of faculty members, the students will be immersed in an experiential learning environment and get the chance to report at an international level.
The team will attend events like soccer, tennis, rugby, water polo, triathlon and more.
In addition to in-depth coverage of the games, students will further their global journalism skills like culture reporting in foreign locales, covering gender and inclusivity and the logistics and economics of major global events.
“This is a very special opportunity for our students. They will gain real-life experience as reporters in a foreign environment by immersing themselves in a city hosting an international event and discovering journalistic stories,” said Reynolds School Dean Gi Yun.
In preparation for the Paris Olympics program, students have been developing their professional storytelling skills through advanced reporting and writing courses during the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters. Their courses have been tailored to provide a global perspective in areas like sports reporting, media production, magazine writing and sports business.
“The students have been working very hard in sports and international reporting classes,” said Yun. “We’ve even collaborated with the French department and included introductory French lessons in our courses for the summer, before the group heads to Paris.”
This program will provide the foundation for the school’s new undergraduate emphasis in sports media and enhance existing international reporting curricula at the Reynolds School. “We hope to be able to replicate this program annually and at different athletic competitions or entertainment events,” said Yun.
The Reynolds School is thrilled to offer this program and cover a portion of the students’ expenses, thanks to the generosity of its alumni and community donors.
