WSSU students get real-world experience in Italy
For the second year, students from Winston-Salem State University participated in an intensive summer multimedia journalism program in Urbino, Italy.
Kanesha Leak, Pachia Lee and Charmaine Shuford, all mass communications majors, along with Charles Chavis, a May graduate who majored in psychology and minored in art, joined Dr. Lona Cobb, journalism professor and internship coordinator, for the four-week session where the students studied multimedia storytelling while living at the University or Urbino which was founded in 1506.
They were among 40 students from the U.S., Canada and Turkey in the program who were coached in photojournalism, videojournalism, reporting and writing by a mix of veteran media professionals and journalism professors.
They reported on the region for a web site (2012.inurbino.net) launched by the Institute for Education in International Media (ieiMedia) and co-sponsored by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University and the School of Media Arts & Design at James Madison University.
“My experience in Urbino was like no other,” said Chavis. “I’ve never lived in a place where everyone was so nice and welcoming. The town is small and beautiful and the people are warm and always smiling.”
Shuford said her experience was more than she could have ever asked for.
“Who knew that I would be doing what I love while enjoying a new culture at the same time,” she said. “The experience and knowledge that I’ve received have been rewarding and eye opening. I love Urbino!”
As part of their internship requirement, the WSSU students also conducted research for stories to be published in their student newspaper, The News Argus.
