Global, Immersive and Professional Programming
Incorporating international experiences into time at university is an amazing and challenging opportunity that can help students set and reach fulfilling personal, academic and professional goals.
Through studying or working abroad, interning for an international organization, or participating in courses and projects with global components, students have the opportunity to learn about potential career paths around the world.
The Global, Immersive and Professional Programs team manages UNC Hussman study abroad exchanges and helps coordinate other international opportunities in the school. The team is available to meet with students to discuss global programs and offer assistance with global opportunities outside of the school.
Global, Immersive and Professional Programs in Action
LEARNING BEYOND CAMPUS
The UNC Study Abroad Office offers many semester and summer-long programs in which students are able to take classes for UNC Hussman credit. Some of these programs are exclusively for UNC Hussman majors and allow students to study at top communication schools around the world.
Students may fulfill some MEJO curriculum requirements while studying abroad, but they cannot earn MEJO core requirements or capstone courses and must take at least four concentration courses (AD/PR or journalism level 1, 2 or 3) on campus. A list of previously approved credit can be found here.
Make a study abroad appointment to explore how you can build a study abroad experience into your time at UNC Hussman.
UNC Hussman offers global immersion programs that give students an opportunity to better understand media markets around the world. The school is constantly exploring ways to incorporate travel and global awareness into classes. Current courses that give students the chance to go abroad include:
- “MEJO 437: Media in Asia” is a two-week course held in May in which the class visits Tokyo and Seoul to conduct industry visits and study the media landscape.
- “MEJO 447: Media in the United Kingdom” is a spring semester class that features a spring break trip to London. While in London, the class visits media organizations such as BBC, Google, The New York Times and Wunderman to gain insight in U.K. media.
- “MEJO 584: International Projects” is offered each spring and takes students to a global location each spring break to create a multimedia documentary project. The course has previously completed projects in Belize, Cuba, Malawi, Panama and the Galápagos Islands, among others.
- “MEJO 625: Media Hub” allows select students the opportunity to travel internationally to complete an independent reporting project in this capstone course. Students have traveled to France, Austria, Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico, among others.
- The Visiting International Scholars (VIS) program was created for academics, journalists and other communicators who wish to spend a year or a semester at UNC Hussman. Participants learn about their specialties in mass communication while also experiencing U.S. culture. Learn more about the VIS program.
- “MEJO 593: Washington D.C. In-Residence” offers undergraduate students the semester-long opportunity to work full-time as political communications interns. Learn more about interning in D.C.
- City St George’s, University of London students are invited to participate in the Bloomberg Journalism Diversity Program, a business journalism program covering how to report on the economy, companies, financial and commodity markets, government and much more. Learn about the Bloomberg Journalism Diversity Program.
While securing an international internship can be a complex, challenging and time-consuming process, interning abroad can be a great way to combine global perspectives with professional experiences and prepare students for careers in an increasingly interconnected world.
Among the various options for students to pursue international internships are study abroad programs that include an internship as an integral part of the program; independently sourcing and arranging an internship; and using a third-party internship company.
Students are strongly advised start the international internship search process many months in advance and to consult the school’s Guide to Finding an Internship Abroad. Students may wish make a global advising appointment with UNC Hussman’s Undergraduate Hub staff after reviewing the guide.
UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC Hussman recognize that financial concerns may prevent students from taking part in global opportunities and work hard to make international activities accessible to all students.
“Working in the field was an invaluable experience. Although we had prepared for almost three months prior, we had to work efficiently and constantly to get the information and footage we needed during the 10 days we stayed in Belize.”
“I had the chance to immerse myself in the journalism world. I learned a great deal about the interview process, how to frame questions, how the camera should be angled and how to perfect the lighting. Personally, I was able to further develop my Spanish skills… I gained confidence overall in talking to new people in my second language and understanding different accents.”
“I wanted to take [MEJO 490] because I haven’t had many opportunities to travel outside of the United States. Going to Asia has always been a dream of mine that finally became a reality… I’ve learned that many Asian media markets have similar communication strategies and tactics compared to the United States.”
“I always wanted to study abroad, and I have been a fan of British culture and media since my early high school years, so this looked like a great fit… I figured it would be a great way to find out how to get stationed in London during my future endeavors!”
Meet the Staff
Kyle Winters
Director of Global, Immersive and Professional Programs
Hui Yang
Assistant Director of Global, Immersive and Professional Programs
