Aotearoa Articles

As part of the second year of my degree, I spent a semester studying abroad at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Highlights of my time abroad include:

• interviewing the NZ Poet Laureate

• reporting on unfolding Myanmar political protests

• learning from the Executive Producer of TVNZ (our guest lecturer for the semester)

I documented my News Production and Media work by building a website: Aotearoa Articles.

Alongside my Journalism and Creative Writing modules, I also chose to study Intercultural Competence. This module explored international networking skills; how to communicate across cultural or language barriers and conduct yourself respectfully in unfamilar environments. A large part of the syllabus was aimed at challenging pre-conceived ideas of culture, identity, and codes of communication. Although not technically journalism-focused, the knowledge from this module will be incredibly valuable to take forward into the industry.

As a keen photographer, I also enjoyed the chance to elevate my camera-skills in new landscapes and environments. All the photos used to build Aotearoa Articles were taken as part of my travels around New Zealand. I created an Instagram highlight series, collaging the photos I'd taken that week as a form of digital scrapbooking to complement my regular posts to my feed.

Whilst immersing myself in life in New Zealand, I continued to try and stay abreast of events and opportunities in the UK. I attended a webinar with Matt Brindley, Managing Director of ITV News, as he discussed the future of journalism in the digital age and the changes that are currently unfolding in the industry. I also pitched a series of articles to Falmouth University and was successfully commissioned to produce blog content about the study abroad scheme.

• Thinking about studying abroad? Here’s what you should consider before applying

• From flights to flip-flops: Arranging your semester abroad

• The suitcase is unpacked. Now, how can you make the most of your semester abroad?

I aimed to give a sense of transparency about the realities of studying abroad, such as the amount of admin work involved in visa applications, and pressure of adapting to an unfamiliar environment - as opposed to it just being a five-month holiday. Equally, I wanted to emphasise the incredible experiences and opportunity for personal growth that the scheme had given me.

As I return to third year in the UK, I hope to take forward the skills and confidence from this experience and channel these towards my final projects and portfolios, such as my upcoming documentary production.