PHILADELPHIA, PA — Natalie Koranda, a senior communications major at Temple University, never imagined she would study abroad. “For student journalists, we rarely get to study abroad because that means that we have to give up opportunities here in the home market,” Koranda said. “That is what I think makes this opportunity to go to Paris even more special.”
Koranda is one of four Temple University students heading to Paris this week to cover stories related to the 2024 Summer Olympics. She will be joined by Hayden Winter, Rachel Williams, and Maggie Przywara. Another ten students will stay in Philadelphia, producing and anchoring TUTV LIVE IN PARIS. This 30-minute, student-produced live news program will air at noon on three dates: Tuesday, July 23; Thursday, July 25; and Thursday, July 30.
Hands-On Learning Experience
The trip is part of a course through the Global Opportunities (GO) program at Temple’s Klein College of Media and Communication. “The idea of experiential learning is at the core of what we try to do at TUTV,” said Paul Gluck, associate professor and general manager of TUTV. “The opportunity to send students overseas to cover what happens at a global capital during a world-class event is exciting to us, and it’s exciting to them.”
Beyond the Games
Rather than covering the actual Olympic events, the students will uncover stories around the Olympics. They will explore life in Paris, its culture, the economic impact of the Games, and stories that connect back to Temple and Philadelphia. The four-student team will function as a full news crew abroad, frequently connecting with Philadelphia-based directors and producers Mariam Akraz and Charly Schultz.
Diverse Skill Sets
Williams, a junior journalism major, emphasized the unique strengths each student brings. “What makes it special is that we all have unique strengths. We all have different majors, so we’re all bringing something different to this. That, too, is going to help these broadcasts shine,” she said.
Real-Time Reporting
While in Paris, the students will find compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Winter, a senior media studies and production major, looks forward to the challenge. “The concept of doing things on the fly is intimidating, but it’s also exciting,” he said. “I am looking forward to showcasing both the character and the people of Paris while really offering a lens of what it’s like to be there during this time.”
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Przywara, a senior film and media arts major, summed up the group’s excitement. “It really is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “There is going to be a story everywhere you look, and these are stories that we get to tell.”
When the students return, a complete recap program that chronicles their time in Paris is expected to air on TUTV.
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