1. The Impact of Study Abroad: 12 years of Berlin Journalism (and where are they now?)
by John Freeman Associate Professor of Journalism University of Florida

2. DEEP BACKGROUND

3. BACKGROUND Course began in 2005 Open to all majors
Two weeks, three credits
Cost: less than $2,000 (not including airfare)
Class produces a book and website:

4. ACTIVITIES AND WORK

5. HYPOTHESIS
The Berlin study abroad course has a major impact on students’ education and/or career

6. SAMPLE SIZE Potential study group from 2005 to 2016 was 180 students
Former students were located through social media: FaceBook, LinkedIn
25 students were sent questionnaire with five questions; 20 responded

7. WHAT THEY WERE ASKED
1. What was your goal doing the course/trip, if you had one?
2. What did you discover about yourself during or after Berlin?
3. How did the two-week course affect your professional life; did it help secure a job after graduation?
Can you describe one moment or incident on-site that made a lasting impression on you?
What is your current occupation and where do you live; and/or what are you doing today?

8. TRICIA COYNE
“I saw the Berlin trip as a way to break out of my comfort zone and push myself to explore a culture I was less familiar with. The friendships I made during that trip are still ongoing and proved to be indispensable throughout my college years and professional career.”

9. TRICIA COYNE - now
“I’m a professional freelance photographer and filmmaker, specializing in editorial, documentary and commercial work, in Charlotte, North Carolina.”

10. SARAH WILBUR
“One moment that had a lasting impression on me was when we stopped by a remaining piece of the Berlin wall. I will never forget that sobering and humbling feeling of realizing that I was standing next to such an amazing piece of history.” Now: Paralegal in New Jersey

11. LYNDSEY BECHTEL
“I was drawn to the prospect of experiencing, first hand, a melting-pot culture influenced by transformations. Approaching strangers required bravery, and I believe that translated into memorable extracurricular nightlife experiences, a pinnacle of Berlin's culture.”

12. LYNDSEY BECHTEL - now
“A background in journalism certainly fostered my legal writing abilities.
I am an associate attorney with Litchfield Cavo LLP in New York City.”

13. LAURA HEALD – 2007 and now
“Berlin was a life-changing experience for me on many levels. It was in Berlin that I really fell in love with making images.”

14. TIM HUSSIN
“Exploring Berlin on my own with the intent to make a photo story is something that made an impression on me. It was terrifying but exciting and ultimately helped me grow.”

15. TIM HUSSIN - now “I’m now an independent filmmaker.”
(Formerly with The San Francisco Chronicle)
Also was photo intern at National Geographic magazine

16. ANDREW STANFILL – 2008 and now
“As a student, I went looking for how I'd handle a foreign environment while producing work. I found that the culture shock wasn't as great as I'd imagined. In Berlin, I was forced to approach strangers who didn't share my language, and that helped me with my work back home.”
NOW: A photo editor for The New York Times editing center in Gainesville

17. LAURIE HICE – 2010 and now
“During this experience I discovered I was fully capable of being an international journalist. Before going on this trip it seemed intangible. This experience gave me the confidence to pursue more international travel.”

18. MATT RIVA – 2010 Q: A lasting impression?
“One night, a handful of us spontaneously decided to try some night photography around the city. We were out for hours, and came away with some really fun photos.”

19. MATT RIVA – now
“Having a couple of legitimate news photos from Berlin in my portfolio post-trip definitely helped strengthen it. I still have one of them in my portfolio today.
I am the night photo editor at The Wall Street Journal.”

20. DAVID GARDNER
“I have always loved to explore, but I hadn’t been out of the country for almost five years before I went to Berlin. It reignited in me a passion for immersing myself in other cultures.”

21. DAVID GARDNER - now
“I live in New York City and work as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.”

22. TAKA HAMADA – 2011 and now
“I'm currently working as a public relations officer for the Town of Kawara, Fukuoka, Japan.  One of the main roles of my position is to shoot photos and videos of this town's events, people and projects.”

23. MAURA FRIEDMAN
“Berlin taught me a lot about my capacity for independence, which is important for a journalist. I was trusted to travel more independently and make things work – and to work around a language and a city that were utterly alien to me.”
Currently an independent multimedia journalist based in Atlanta. 

24. AUDREYANNA LOGUERRE
“It was my first time on a plane, first time out of the country and first time taking a photography course. The experience was a stepping stone for me. It taught me independence and how to solve problems on my own without my parents close by.”

25. AUDREYANNA LOGUERRE - now
“The course helped me gain photography and multimedia skills that led to other journalism opportunities like working for PBS-affiliated WUFT, The Gainesville Sun and German Press Agency (DPA) in Washington D.C. I work for Booz Allen Hamilton there now as a consultant for the government.”

26. ADRIANA BARBAT- 2014
“The trip gave us the opportunity to experience a city in a way I never would have on my own: We had to approach strangers, talk to them, delve into their personal lives and explore their lifestyle and culture.”

27. CRYSTAL BAILEY – 2015
“I believe I gained perspective. America is so “me” oriented. In Germany, I learned about a different culture entirely: one with its own sensitive history.”

28. CRYSTAL BAILEY - now
“Berlin is also a place of artistic freedom and liberal ideas. I enjoyed being in a place less conservative and more open. I still wish America was more like Berlin.”
Crystal is now a news reporter at WCJB-TV20 in Gainesville.

29. SARAH DAVIS
“Upon returning to the states for my senior year, I was no longer fearful or timid in interviewing and approaching people for stories. Just two weeks in Berlin transformed me into a much more confident and excited journalist.”

30. SARAH DAVIS - now
“While we were in Berlin, a few of us signed up to run an all-women’s 10K called “We Own the Night." When I look at my life as a whole, that race was the number one event that completely changed my life and my perspective on this world.”

31. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION
Overall, everyone came away with something personal from the trip. Significance varied.
Students went for different reasons. Surprise was “to make new friends.”
Feeling independent and gaining confidence were most cited as benefits of the trip.
More research is needed! (Berlin 2017)

32.
Full circle: from 1962 to the present