Our Students
Julia Dallas
Hello! My name is Julia Dallas and I going to be a senior next year at the University of Washington. I am majoring in journalism because I want to help give voices to unheard stories and find solutions for world issues. I chose to try travel journalism because I thought it was a great skill to have and would help me grow as a journalist and as a person. Something I learned is that you always have to be on top of things when doing travel journalism, whether its constantly shooting photo and video, or working on your blog/communicating to your audience. I discovered that blogging is a lot harder than it looks. You have to take pictures and video to post, use detailed captions, research about the content, write about your personal view point and also give people tips. While doing travel journalism it can be difficult to enjoy where you are because of the constant workload, yet it also gives you a brand-new perspective on things. You think a different way and ask questions like how long has this person lived here? How has their life been affected by tourism? What is the history of this building? What problems has this town faced and how did they over come them? Travel journalism is definitely a full-time job but is also extremely rewarding because of the connections you make with the people and places you write about. I also found a love of the Marche region. The people are extremely friendly compared to other places we traveled in Italy and are very willing to share their stories. They always want to help you learn and are friendly to foreigners. The Marche region is a lot less touristy than other major cities but is still full of life. It also gives you every season with beaches and mountains a short bus ride away from each other. This region is a beautiful place to study at and is always full of surprises and a lot of history. I was never bored and always found something new to document for my blog. I would definitely come back to this region to lay in the sandy beaches and explore the breath-taking views. |
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Sonni Hendrickson
Madison “Sonni” Hendrickson is a rising sophomore at Colorado State University studying Journalism and Mass Communications. She has had a love for traveling from a young age, marking this trip as her 5th time out of the country. Sonni is very grateful to have been able to take part in this program and is very thankful to have learned from and bonded with such outstanding professors. This travel journalism course in the Marche region was one of Sonni’s favorite experiences. The people are so kind hearted and willing to help you, even if you don’t speak the same language. The scenery reminds her of home, but it is simultaneously unique and unlike any other place. The history of the Italy throughout the ages shone in many different ways in the areas of the Marche region. On the road to Pennebilli you can stop and see the exact scenery Leonardo DaVinci used as inspiration for the Mona Lisa. Urbino is the birth place of the famous artist Raphael. The Marche region reveals a vastly different side of Italy that no other place can offer you. |
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Aliviah Jones
Ciao! My name is Aliviah and I am a print/digital journalism major at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. When my academic advisor told me about the Program in Urbino, I didn’t know anything about Travel Journalism but that was really the main reason I wanted to apply for the program- so I could learn something new about Journalism. I am so glad I took the opportunity to study travel Journalism because I’ve realized it’s way different than the traditional kind of journalism I’ve been accustomed to.
These past two weeks made me realize that time flies by when you’re having fun. Each of my days have been spent with many different adventures. It was wonderful meeting amazing new people and making some great friends. The food was unbelievable just as I imagined it would be. It’s hard to say what the highlight of my trip was but taking a day trip to San Marino definitely tops the list. The rolling hills view driving to San Marino was like no other and there were a lot of trendy shops that I liked seeing. Visiting Pesaro beach was very exciting as well, the water was so clear. It was a nice beach to relax at in between getting footage for my final project. I am a true beach person coming from the East coast so I thoroughly enjoyed it. This experience I think will benefit me and the future careers paths I take throughout my life. I hope to eventually come back to Italy soon. |
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Madison Manske
Growing up as a military brat, I became accustomed to constant change and adapting to the new world around me. When I started college at Virginia Commonwealth University, it became obvious that I knew my place in this world and the direction I should take. Combining my interest with writing and my desire to learn all there is to know about different cultures led me to studying both Journalism and Anthropology. My trip to Urbino was everything I could have imagined it to be and more. I have learned so much about travel journalism and the environment - both in and surrounding the Marche region of Italy. I can’t wait to take everything that I have learned in these past two weeks, and apply that knowledge to wherever this life takes me. I can’t say thank you enough to Steve Weiss and Greg Luft for teaching me everything that I know about travel journalism so far. The two of them have made such an impact on me and have inspired me to no end. |
April Harshman
I'm April Harshman, a recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate. I received my Bachelors of Science in Mass Communications focusing in broadcast journalism. After this program I intend to pursue jobs in TV news and radio. I enjoy broadcast journalism because it gives you the opportunity to meet people and hear their stories and then share those stories via technology.
Urbino is my first trip out of the states and now one of my favorite places. I never was interested in studying abroad, wanted to do things on my own terms, but I'm glad I joined the program. This program is an opportunity for me to build my resume, learn about a new place and put myself outside of my comfort zone. I hope to walk away with the confidence of discovering interesting stories on my own and putting them out for the world to see.
I decided to focus on food because it is a major part of Italian culture and I myself live for trying new foods. Food is something I always look into before going on a trip and it’s a necessity of life.
I'm April Harshman, a recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate. I received my Bachelors of Science in Mass Communications focusing in broadcast journalism. After this program I intend to pursue jobs in TV news and radio. I enjoy broadcast journalism because it gives you the opportunity to meet people and hear their stories and then share those stories via technology.
Urbino is my first trip out of the states and now one of my favorite places. I never was interested in studying abroad, wanted to do things on my own terms, but I'm glad I joined the program. This program is an opportunity for me to build my resume, learn about a new place and put myself outside of my comfort zone. I hope to walk away with the confidence of discovering interesting stories on my own and putting them out for the world to see.
I decided to focus on food because it is a major part of Italian culture and I myself live for trying new foods. Food is something I always look into before going on a trip and it’s a necessity of life.
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Nicole Towne
I feel fortunate to have been able to study abroad in Italy doing work that is directly related to my major. The summer program was a great length. I had the opportunity to get to know and enjoy Urbino, without having to take on an entire semester program. Through this experience, I have been able to improve my video, photography, and reporting skills. Most importantly, studying in Italy has given me the chance to challenge myself and grow as an individual. I would like to thank my friends and family who have supported me through the entire study abroad experience and my wonderful professors. In Spring of 2019 I will graduate from Colorado State University with a journalism major and minors in English and women studies. |