Journalism students report in Prague this summer
Students take a group photo on a farewell boat lunch in Prague with instructors. Back Row: Will Tizard, a course instructor; Ian Garrahan, student from Argentina; Amanda Brooks; Grey MacNicoll; Gracie Schutt; Audrey Boyd; Jeremy Druker, executive director of course provider Transitions. Front Row: Jessice Foshee; Ellie Millikan; Shelby Wright; Sarah Buser, student from Switzerland; and JEM Professor Mark Harmon.
Senior Ellie Millikan was a bit apprehensive when she first learned about the 2023 Going on Assignment in Prague study abroad opportunity but decided she would not let those feelings hold her back.
She has not regretted it.
“It has literally changed my life, as cliché as it sounds,” Millikan, a School of Journalism and Media (JEM) major with a minor in advertising and public relations, said. “I really think that everybody should study abroad and I used to be that kid like ‘people don’t need to study abroad’ but you just have to take that one step, it can be scary, but it’s so worth it.”
JEM collaborates with Transitions, a nonprofit organization in Europe that offers journalism and media training programs, on the Going on Assignment in Prague study abroad program. Students hear from working professionals, visit news organizations and work on real news stories as part of the experience. This summer, students had their stories published on Transitions’ news site, Prague Morning, and in the Knoxville News Sentinel. In addition, student-produced videos from the trip are on the Tennessee Journalist.
“The seven students in our 2023 program were the most creative, dedicated, and fun we have seen yet,” JEM Professor Mark Harmon said. “They took their work seriously and produced good news stories, but they also had a great time and coordinated with each other to be certain no one was left out of fun activities—everything from the opera, to the zoo, to bowling, to great restaurants, to sporting events.”
Millikan said aside from having her stories published, another highlight of the trip was learning about what it takes to be a foreign correspondent. She also enjoyed touring media companies such as Czech Radio, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Economia publishing house.
JEM student Grey MacNicoll had never been to Europe prior to participating in the Going on Assignment in Prague study abroad program this summer. MacNicoll is majoring in journalism with a minor in Global Studies and hopes to work as a political journalist in Washington, D.C. in the future
MacNicoll said she enjoyed exploring the city and learning more about its history. Also, MacNicoll said a favorite memory from the trip for her was paddle boarding at sunset with friends.
“Reporting in Prague was unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” MacNicoll said. “It was fascinating to see a new culture, and hearing the stories was amazing. It showed me how working as a foreign correspondent can be both challenging and rewarding. If anyone’s looking for a study abroad program, I cannot recommend Going on Assignment in Prague enough.”