Impressions from German Journalists on USA Standard Program March, 2023
Impressions from 10 German journalists on a two-week RIAS Berlin Commission fellowship to the United States from March 5, 2023 to March 18, 2022
Madeleine Hofmann, ZDF TV & Deutschlandfunk, Berlin
The two weeks in the US with RIAS have been more intense than I could ever have imagined – relating to a tight schedule with impressive encounters, unforgettable experiences such as entering the Capitol and White House press rooms, but also relating to a well curated group of extraordinary journalists who have become friends over this experience that at times felt almost unreal. I also got to know sides of the US that I didn’t know before such as rural Pennsylvania. Thank you RIAS for truly bringing the transatlantic dialogue alive.
Friederike Rohmann, MDR TV, Leipzig
I can’t remember the last time I had such an intense two weeks as our RIAS trip to Washington, Pennsylvania and New York. I will probably always remember Joe Biden and the helicopter as well as the moving conversation at the Capitol, the unique choir at Abyssinian Baptist Church or the evening at the world-famous Apollo Theater. Plus exciting and unique experiences in Pennsylvania and the realization that (Pennsylvanian) German / Dutch is indeed a language of happy people. I got insights I probably never would have gotten without RIAS. Plus a group of great people. A big thank you to RIAS, our guest speakers, and everyone who worked to organize this memorable trip.
Maja Weber, Phoenix TV, ZDF TV, Bonn, Mainz
It was my first trip to the States. But after seeing so many movies, series and television news many sites, views and buildings seemed very familiar to me. This trip put it into perspective though. And showed the dimensions. Whereas in Washington the Capitol fully stood up to what I had imagined the White House seemed smaller than its iconography always had me believing. It still felt as though our group was part of a movie. I appreciated all the legendary sites, the access to closed circles such as think tanks or informal talks to politicians and the deeper going insights through the talks and special tours we were offered. Even as journalists who are used to access to very special places these talks were mind blowing and priceless. I am so glad that Rias has built and kept up such a high quality network that our group could benefit from. And I am proud to have the opportunity to be part of this great and fascinatig network in the future. But this trip was also meant to check and maybe give up the clichés and stereotypes one always has about a country and its media. In this goal it was absolutely successful. So going to rural Pennsylvania revealed that it was a very fascinating place, not dull at all. We even met an Amish person and later were offered a class in Pennsylvanian dutch – truly touching and heart warming because there was so much humanity and knowledge in all of this. Meeting colleagues and broadcasting journalists who worked just as hard and being as enthusiastic as we are felt reassuring and gave hope that journalism can really turn the world into a better place. Of course the experiences in New York were unforgettable and even more dream like than in Washington. Meeting a broadway legend with about 30 years on stage and then watching her perform in a musical was more than invigorating. Or going to the Apollo Theater, the historic place where Ella Fitzgerald started her brilliant carreer, all that was just so unbelievably enriching. Also because it all happened in the presence of New Yorkers who are just as mythical as their city. But in the end regular and fine people. Quick remark on the chosen hotel: perfect. Another cliché taken away by the trip was the unexpected meeting with a Republican Mayor who was open minded and seemed a very responsible politician. Being able to compare him to a true Trumpist who we also met was a relief and a very good experience. I already recommended this program to four very fine colleagues of mine in the past, two already after the trip and will definitely continue to do so. This unique program is to be held up by all means. As I said above, it was my first trip to the States. It certainly won’t be my last.
Mathis Trapp, WDR, Cologne
The two weeks fellowship in March of 2023 has shown me what RIAS is all about: connecting journalists and media experts on both sides of the pond, learning about each others’ everyday life, building networks and new friendships. Thanks to RIAS, I‘ve had an extraordinary experience. Seeing the U.S. President at the White House, hearing the touching story of Gordon, a 9/11 victim and hero in New York City, as well as experiencing what life in rural Pennsylvania is like, were just some of the many highlights of the trip. I‘ve been to the USA many times – but RIAS helped me learn so much more about the country and its people. I will greatly benefit from this both for my journalist career and personal life. Thank you!
Janett Eger, MDR, Leipzig
These were two very intense, exciting weeks. It is really amazing what kind of doors the RIAS Commission can open for German journalists. Very special for me was our visit to the White House Press Office. On that day we were even able to catch a glimpse of President Joe Biden, it was so exceptional. The lunch at the German Consulate was also highly interesting for me, being from East Germany. Consul David Gill is from my home state of Saxony- Anhalt, he helped to establish up the so-called Gauck Authority after German reunification. It was an experience to be able to talk to him! And also the visit to Pennsylvania, the whole history of the Pennsylvania Dutch and the openness of the Amish I will talk about for a long time. I thank RIAS for these two weeks in which I saw, heard and experienced a lot. And I thank my RIAS group, which was simply the best.
Sophie Wannemacher, RBB TV, Berlin
Our itinerary with the RIAS program in March 2023 included a week-long stay in Washington DC, followed by a two day visit to Pennsylvania and another week in New York. The trip provided a wealth of insights and experiences that were both enriching and informative. During our time in Washington DC, we were privileged to witness President Joe Biden take off in his helicopter from the White House – definitely one of the highlights during our stay in DC. We also had the opportunity to meet with a number of German correspondents, who generously shared their perspectives on their work and career paths. These discussions illuminated differences in media production between the USA and Germany, as well as provided a chance to explore politics with politicians from both parties. These interactions facilitated a deeper understanding of the political system in the USA, which was both eye-opening and insightful. Our stay in New York provided further opportunities to learn and engage with industry professionals. We visited major TV stations, including NBC and CBS, and met individuals working for Bloomberg and CBS. These experiences allowed us to observe firsthand the differences in media production between Germany and the USA, as well as gain insight into how to cultivate strong professional relationships. Overall, the trip was packed with new learnings, interesting experiences, and memorable moments. The trip provided a unique opportunity to understand the differences in media production, culture and politics. The opportunity to build strong professional relationships and engage with industry professionals was invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this program.
Laura Maria Weber, RTL News, Cologne
What a great time in the US! Washington – Pennsylvania – New York: Two weeks in America left a long-lasting impression on me. Getting to know the “American way of life” up close and personal and being where world politics are made, as well as getting to know the diversity of the people in the USA were unforgettable. A big thank you to RIAS for the wide selection of guest speakers, the great opportunity to look behind the scenes at American TV and radio stations and to exchange ideas with committed journalists on site! Being able to stand at the White House together with U.S. journalists and waiting for the U.S. president shortly before his take-off is probably one of the moments I will remember for a long time. In addition, the visit to the Amish in Pennsylvania and the guided tour through Williamsburg in New York by the community of Hasidic Jews were particularly inspiring meetings. A survivor of 09/11 gave us a very personal account of his experiences, which will remain in my thoughts for a long time. But also the tour through the different boroughs of New York like the visit of a gospel service in Harlem or the controversial exchange with the Republican Borough President of Staten Island are among the many highlights of this great trip. And last but not least, the encounters with such great journalists in the Rias program made the two weeks very special. It was a great pleasure to explore the U.S. with such nice and interesting people. I am honored to be a part of this group and thank RIAS and Erik very much for the unforgettable experiences, the chance to get to know America’s culture, politics and way of life in a very different way and the opportunity to participate in this program! Thanks a lot, it was a blast!
Christian Herrmann, NTV, Berlin
The RIAS program holds very special experiences in store for journalists. If you’re lucky, you’ll suddenly find yourself standing in the White House Rose Garden – just a few feet away from U.S. President Joe Biden, who is striding to his Marine One helicopter to fly to an important appointment. You get the chance to talk to American and German colleagues who have been reporting on the White House, U.S. politics or the U.S. in general for years or even decades – and know all the important, funny and crazy stories. You’re a guest to selected experts from important research institutes who can explain what the U.S. thinks of Germany, the influence of religion on U.S. elections, and why the Amish often have two smartphones: one official and one secret. In a word, the RIAS program is packed with unforgettable memories.
Julia Cruz, MDR, ARD, Leipzig
The two weeks with RIAS were very intensive and I was able to experience insights behind the scenes and structures of America’s politics and history. Without RIAS, I would never have had such an understanding from so many different facets. That is why I am very grateful to have been able to participate in the program – from visiting the White House to the background talks with journalists and Congressman L. Smucker. I was able to gain a lot of impressive insight and background information that will definitely help me in the future when reporting in my newsroom. There were new contacts and encounters that I will probably never forget. Thank you for that. Above all, I was able to experience first-hand testimonials: from the Amish during the trip to Pennsylvania or the memorable tour of the Hasidic Jews community. However, I was particularly moved by the report of the 9/11 survivor, who expressly described to us how he survived the day and also saved many lives in his capacity as a doctor. His sister was in the World Trade Center that day and died in that attack. He created images and impressions in my mind that I will never forget. Thank you for letting me be a part of RIAS and thank you as well to Erik and the organization and the RIAS group, without whom, the two weeks would never have been as wonderful as they were.
Jenny Barke, RBB, Berlin
Who can claim to have visited and seen the President of the United States in the White House? And even if this encounter stands out because of the “big shot” Joe Biden, many other program points are in no way inferior to it. We had the unique chance to visit the heart of U.S. democracy with an eyewitness of the storming of the Capitol, to walk through Williamsburg with a former member of the Hasidic Jewish community, and to commemorate 9/11 with a victim of the attacks on the World Trade Center. We traveled into strange worlds that probably remain inaccessible to tourists, like those of the Amish community and an ultraconservative Republican. A personal highlight for me was meeting Consul David Gill, who also grew up in Saxony. His personal transformation after the fall of the Berlin Wall is a striking example for me of the biographical opportunities that opened up for some “Easterners” after the fall of the Wall. As a journalist with a focus on Latin America, it was also exciting to hear, see and even taste the Latin American influences everywhere – and in some situations I got further with Spanish than with English. Thanks to RIAS, we also met an immigrant from Argentina who had to live illegally in the U.S. for years. And what would all these unique encounters have been without the exchange with my new nine journalist friends? It’s been a long time since I laughed as much as I did during the past 14 days
