Invaluable Journalism Experience

I went to Jerusalem with ieiMedia the summer before my senior year of college. I had never studied or travelled abroad, so I was a bit nervous about the program and location at first. As soon as I got there, that all went away. Jerusalem is the most amazing and interesting place you will ever visit (I can't wait to go back), and the professors are so knowledgable and helpful. I am a broadcast journalism major and had some experience from other internships and classes, but this was completely different. You are an independent reporter working in a place filled with interesting people and amazing stories... this is something that not everyone can, or will do. This has definitely set me apart from my peers. During the program, we were able to meet many people from both sides of the conflict. We went on a tour with Breaking the Silence, talked to settlers, a member of the Knesset, visited every major news organization in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and in Palestine and did much more. You are able to do independent reporting, which is so important when it comes to applying to jobs in the future. I was able to write about Breaking the Silence and reported on the Women of the Wall. We spent time in the West Bank where I, along with two other students, spent the day with a man who now works to have peace talks with Israelis and Palestinians and his family. I could, and have, gone on about this program for hours with people on this experience and why it was so important to my future as a journalist. I learned an incredible amount from our teachers who have worked as foreign correspondents for years for major publications. Having them, and their wisdom, is something that I am so grateful for. When I returned from the program, I immediately got an internship at my local NBC station. I graduate in May and will be applying to jobs as a reporter all over the country. While having this on my resume does set me apart from others, it is much more than that. I am more confident in my skills as a reporter than ever, and that is all because of this program, the professors and the experiences that they gave us.