Catherine Martens, Deutsche Welle, Brussels

I expected it to be a great trip. I was proven wrong. Our exchange program was beyond all my imagination: Notably thanks to the high-profile players from the political, cultural and scientific fields we were able to connect to thanks to RIAS.

As a European, I got a new and greater understanding of what could be the American perspective and in journalistic terms, how American news agenda setting is driven, thanks to our dedicated hosts, be it at CNN, Vice or the New York Times.
Beside that first-hand experience in the field, I am so grateful for all the great contacts with Washington and New York we can rely on if needed. As a new RIAS Fellow, I’m so happy to do my share now and to give something back to this outstanding network by forming a new RIAS alumni chapter in Brussels.