An Olympic Opportunity

Story by University Development
Originally published Aug. 2, 2016, on stories.unc.edu

“I’m going to Rio to cover the biggest sporting event in the world. I can’t believe the University I dreamed of attending is sending me to work for the Olympics.”

After all of the Olympic medals are awarded, Brett Thompson, a broadcast journalism student at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, will have had a world-class and once-in-a-lifetime experience. He and 28 fellow Tar Heels traveled to Brazil to cover the 2016 Olympic Games in partnership with the Olympic News Service and the University of Memphis. UNC and the University of Memphis are the only two universities in the world working with the Olympic News Service, covering the games from the press center and the many venues in Rio de Janeiro.

The program is offered through the UNC Study Abroad Office, and students earn three credit hours along with experience. An anonymous donor gave $50,000 to subsidize travel costs for students.