Fifteen American college students and recent graduates from 14 universities and 11 states across the United States recently completed a three-week summer exchange program in German
Fifteen American college students and recent graduates from 14 universities and 11 states across the United States recently completed a three-week summer exchange program in Germany for broadcast journalists organised by the RIAS Berlin Commission with support from the German government’s European Recovery Program (ERP). The students spent time in four different cities — Berlin, Cologne, Leipzig and Potsdam — and had 46 meetings and guest lectures with journalists, media professors, political leaders, sports celebrities, historians, RIAS alumni in Germany and ordinary Germans. Here are some of their thoughts about the new summer exchange program for U.S. college students studying broadcast journalism and related subjects.
Leighty Hanrahan, University of Wisconsin
“RIAS was everything that I expected and more! This program gave me unforgettable experiences in multiple German cities, lifelong friendships, and a great ‘Einblick’ into the German media that I never would have found anywhere else.”
Hannah Lee, University of North Carolina
These last three weeks with RIAS have been exciting, exhausting and educational and I am so humbled to be a part of a network of not only talented journalists, but also lifelong friends. I’m thrilled to go back home knowing that I have explored and learned about a political and historical side of Germany that I have never seen before. As a recent college graduate, I know this program has helped me develop a better sense of self and what direction I hope to go in as an American journalist and German scholar.
Adrian Molinar, New Mexico State University
The RIAS program has been an overwhelmingly great experience. After learning about how crucial the station was to the falling of the Berlin Wall, it has become clear that the former radio/tv media outlet is still building bridges. I’d absolutely recommend this experience to anyone interested connecting people.
Shayne Hill, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida
Getting the chance to travel to Germany with RIAS was honestly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
that I’m so grateful to have experienced! I not only grew my knowledge of journalism, I grew as a person as well. Thank you so much RIAS for the amazing adventure and the lifelong friendships
Gabrielle Calise, University of Florida
From the current state of transatlantic relations and German journalism to Cold War history, I learned about so much during this program. I loved getting to meet so many interesting people, including students from Germany and the USA and journalists at different stations. The program brought me in contact with connections that will allow me to return to Germany later in my career as a journalist. I’m sad to go home after a great three weeks, but I am so
proud to join the RIAS alumni network.
Nick Derberbian, State University of new York at Oswego
As a college student who’s never been abroad to study and experience an entirely new culture, the RIAS program has forever changed my life. Not only was I able to delve into the history of Berlin and Germany as a whole, but I was able to learn and understand a handful of different
perspectives within the journalism field. I will hold these three weeks close to my heart as I was also able to get to know a great group of 14 individuals. I cannot wait to see more growth within this networking group and the many connections I will continue to make thanks to RIAS.
Emily Damm, Texas A&M
I enjoyed learning about German history and culture. The conversations I had with my RIAS fellows alongside my experiences with all the Germans I’ve met here were so impactful. I look forward to my continued relationship with RIAS.
Dylan Srocki, Miami University Ohio
Free press is central to an informed public and to the aims of a democratic society. RIAS stands as a shining example of the close connection between democracy and free press– a media organization that allowed citizens of West Berlin fair and unfiltered coverage of current events despite tension with the Soviet-occupied East. Now, RIAS carries on the legacy of responsible journalism with programs that aim to create more well-rounded professionals by inviting them to a foreign country in order to better understand life outside their normal perspectives. This summer, I was lucky to be part of the first RIAS student program. Through these three weeks, I have learned so much– not just about German media, but about the country in general. Rather than surface information, we dug deep to find out how people really feel about key issues. During this time, I was also able to build relationships with German members of the RIAS network, and become friends with 14 bright young professionals who I’m sure will expand my contacts across the United States. I am proud to be a part of the RIAS family, and enjoyed the opportunity to experience Europe for the first time.
Nicole Browning, Northern Kentucky University
The RIAS Berlin Commission gave me not only a valuable learning experience but also a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded people. It was all these cultural, historical experiences, as well as invaluable friendships made along the way, that re-sparked my passion for journalism and life.
Mollie Lemm, University of Montana
One of my main takeaways from the RIAS program is how it uniquely impacts everyone, and how each varied perspective contributed to the experience. Growing up in Montana, I have a completely different view of the world than someone who grew up in Kentucky of New York and that really made this program amazing. The more you know about the World and about people, the better you can be as a journalist.
Sam Lichtenstein, Elon University, Elon, North Carolina
Getting a chance to be a part of the RIAS program this summer reminded me of the importance of learning about aspects of a foreign culture through a different lens. This experience provided me the chance to broaden my horizons as well as the platform to have conversations with other students and teachers about significant current events. Overall, the Rias program was not only a great chance to travel but was also a wonderful opportunity to talk with influential leaders in the realm of German politics, media and education.
Pamela Ortega, University of Oklahoma (second from left)
Within the first few days of RIAS I questioned why I was here, I didn’t speak the language nor know much about the culture. Today, I’m beyond thankful to RIAS for taking me out of my comfort zone. RIAS gave me three weeks of knowledge, a look into past history, a group of friends with values I respect, a glimpse at cultural understanding abroad, but most importantly a different perspective to issues that international affect everyone issues like immigration, integration, incarceration, education and defense.
Rose Carr, Western Washington University
The RIAS fellowship is unparalleled in its ability to take young journalists and connect them to professionals in the field. I have thoroughly enjoyed networking with my fellow American peers.Even after this experience, I kow that RIAS will continue to influence my career.
Sophia Saliby, Indiana University
Through the RIAS student program, I met journalists, politicians, and witnesses of history over the course of three quick weeks. The RIAS program broadened my network and my own ideas of just what is possible for my future as a journalist. Travel bridges gaps between people and cultures, and my world feels just a bit closer together, thanks to RIAS.
Dolores Hinckley, University of Florida
The RIAS student program was a unique chance to understand that which sustains the German-American relationship, and that which could endanger it. Through many insightful talks, tours, and discussions, I was able to better grasp why this relationship matters and my role in it as an upcoming journalist. I gained context that matters, not just through the eyes of Germans, but also through the eyes of Americans from across the country in my group.
