UNC Hussman students embrace immersive learning experiences through international journalism, strategic communication and networking opportunities 

During spring break, UNC Hussman students stepped beyond the classroom and into immersive learning experiences across the globe. Through five different programs spanning six locations, they connected with industry leaders, explored global media landscapes and gained real-world insights. 

 “UNC Hussman has a long tradition of providing life-changing spring break experiences across the nation and the world for students,” said Raul Reis, dean of the school. “This year’s variety of activities may be the most impressive yet. We continue to build and expand on this rich tradition to make these kinds of opportunities more impactful and accessible to every single UNC Hussman student.” 

United States Career Treks 

UNC Hussman Career Services led two cohorts on Career Treks to New York City and Washington, D.C. Career Treks are designed to give students a chance to network with alumni leaders in industry and visit major agencies and organizations. Students also get to see what work life is like in major cities across the United States. 

In New York, students visited agencies such as Industrial Color, Mischief and Rubenstein. They also attended a breakfast with UNC Hussman alumni, including Casey Mentch ’24 and Lindsey Poole ’24, two industry professionals who attended Career Treks themselves just a few years prior.  

“Christina Stokes at Rubenstein once told me, ‘It’s one thing to have opinions about the world; it’s another to put them out there,’” said Sophia Melin ’25. “Her words inspired me to start my own blog, where I can highlight meaningful initiatives through my own lens. Ultimately, I believe this is what public relations is all about – drawing attention to important causes and crafting narratives that resonate with others.” 

Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., students explored political journalism and communications, visiting companies like CBS News’ Face the Nation, Emily’s List, CNN and Edelman. Students learned valuable networking skills and met with UNC Hussman alumni, including Sierra Sanders ’22 and Pete Villasmil ’23. 

“The Career Trek to D.C. was a trip I’ll never forget,” said Kate Chapman ’27. “I met so many talented Hussman alumni who were eager to share their experiences and got to visit the top media companies alongside a passionate, motivated group of fellow students.” 

Europe  

London, United Kingdom 

On the other side of the pond, students from “MEJO 447: Media in the U.K.” led by Associate Professor Lucinda Austin — UNC Hussman’s associate dean for graduate studies and research — traveled to London to explore the history of media and communication industries in the United Kingdom.  

During the trip, students partnered with faculty and students at City St George’s, University of London to learn more about global perspectives of the complexities of communication messages and strategies. Students also pursued their area of focus, advertising and public relations or journalism, and visited agencies such as Amazon Prime Video, FleishmanHillard, CNN and Real Chemistry.  

For many students, the trip offered valuable professional insights while also helping them reflect on their ideal work environment.  

“I recently realized that working at an in-person office is extremely important to me,” said Emma Kate Lauf ’25. “I want to be able to make friends, interact with everyone and simply be out of the house. Being at Real Chemistry showed me the benefits of working at an agency like this. Even though people are working very hard, they seem to thrive in the hustle. That’s not something I’ve considered for myself before.” 

Rome, Italy 

This year, the Workroom FashionMash program — directed by Professor of the Practice Dana McMahan — traveled to Rome to study how American brands operate in a European market. The trip was designed to fit the theme of this year’s Workroom FashionMash program, Global Citizen, which focuses on the versatility of the global fashion brand Ralph Lauren.  

Partnering with 29acacia CEO Sarah Angold, students had the opportunity to meet retailers, designers, marketers and trend forecasters focused on the global nature of the fashion industry. Students also had the chance to network with top industry professionals such as Eleonora Attolico, a fashion journalist at Vogue Italia.  

Students also immersed themselves in the cultural history of Rome. 

“Studying in Rome allowed me to engage with history, art and culture in ways that textbooks simply cannot convey,” said Isabella Jarvis ’25 (M.A.). “Walking through the halls of the Vatican Museums, standing in front of the Trevi Fountain and witnessing the grandeur of the Colosseum at night were moments that brought history to life. These experiences reinforced the importance of learning beyond the classroom and embracing the world as an educational space.” 

Latin America 

Tijuana, Mexico 

This semester, a new special topics course, “MEJO 390: Crossing Borders: Human Rights and Journalism,” was introduced into the journalism curriculum by Assistant Professor Erin Siegal McIntyre. The course focuses on topics such as cross-cultural reporting, border immigration and the intersection of human rights, law and journalism.  

As part of the new course, 12 students traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, to explore the intersections of human rights, journalism and the law — and organizations that work within that context such as Al Otro Lado, a nonprofit organization that provides legal and humanitarian support in Tijuana and the United States. Students visited sites such as Casa de Union Trans, Border Line Crisis Center and Telefónica Gastro Park for a journalist roundtable. 

On creating the class, Siegal McIntyre said, “I lived in Tijuana for about a decade, so for me it was really special to bring young people back and see the same kind of epiphanies that I had as a reporter. Getting to watch my students be extremely mindful and intentional in how they were asking questions and watching them engage in an empathetic way was really moving for me.”  

Siegal McIntyre also talked about how students were able to interact with refugees at the Border Line Crisis Center to hear their stories. They had the chance to meet with people and families directly impacted by migration policies, such as asylum seekers, deportees, lawyers and activists. 

“It reinforced the importance of responsible, accurate and nuanced reporting. This trip really challenged me to think critically about the ethics of storytelling, the power dynamics between sources and journalists, and the communities — and to do it well,” said Aaliyah Mitchell ’27. “It was an eye-opening experience that made me value international reporting and reminded me why this work matters.” 

Students will present their work and reflections from this trip during Crossing Borders: Reports and Reflection from Tijuana on Wednesday, April 16, from 6-8 p.m. at Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina 

A little further south, students in “MEJO 584: International Projects” led by Professor Patrick Davison traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to partner with the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina at Buenos Aires (UCA), reporting on how the country’s economic crisis is affecting daily life and industries. 

Through first-hand reporting, photojournalism, video documentaries and interactive creations, students explored topics ranging from migration to the gig economy, connecting directly with Argentines to develop their stories. 

“Having the opportunity to connect with stories in a different language strengthened my ability to do journalism in a way that transcends cultural barriers,” said Max Feliu ’25, a videographer. 

The students will host a premiere screening to showcase their work on Wednesday, April 23, from 6-8 p.m. at the FedEx Global Education Center. Refreshments will be served.