Students taking the class Writing the Mediterranean: Turkey offered during the spring 2025 semester by the Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) Department, were able to gain hands-on experience as international reporters during a trip to Istanbul the class took during spring break. 

Taught by Associate Professor of Professional Practice Mary D’Ambrosio, during the trip the students immersed themselves in the city’s rich history and vibrant culture by working on a class project named “Reporting the Global City.”

The aim of the project, D’Ambrosio said, was to enable the students to “report on rapid urban expansion and gentrification, youth culture and the exploding migrant and refugee population, while exploring the culinary and artistic heritage of one of the world’s most powerful cities.”

While working on the project, the students reported from local neighborhoods and explored street photography with local expert Abdulkadir Karatas.

Midway through the trip, Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested just before national elections. His arrest sparked pro-democratic unrest across the city, giving students a rare and valuable opportunity to witness political unrest firsthand and gain insight into the role journalists play as they report in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

For aspiring journalists, experiencing this pivotal moment in real time provided an invaluable lesson in covering breaking news and deepened their understanding of journalism’s critical role in society.

“It wasn’t lost on our students how vehemently Turks demanded the mayor’s release – and several drew worried comparisons with events at home, noting that democracy was also under attack here,” D’Ambrosio said.

Student Abby Brown JMS’26 said while the political moment was eye-opening, it was the warmth and hospitality of the Turkish people that made the deepest impression on her.

“Turkey was really special for me because of all the people,” she said. “I’ve been to several other European countries, and without a doubt, I never felt more welcome, safe, and respected than I did in Turkey. The people have such warm and big hearts—it made the whole trip that much more special.”

Writing the Mediterranean: Turkey, and other JMS courses that offer trips to abroad (other classes travel to Ireland, Spain, Italy and Guatemala) during the semester provide students with the chance to gain global reporting and media study experience, and a broadened worldview that will help prepare them for careers in today’s interconnected and global media landscape.

For Brown, the trip was a challenge she believes every student should embrace.

“I think it’s really important to step out of your comfort zone. For me, this trip definitely was that,” she said.

“I would absolutely recommend this class, and especially the trip to Turkey,” she said. “The culture is so rich, the architecture is beautiful, and the food is to die for. I learned so much about writing, reporting, and the world. That’s something you can’t get sitting in a classroom.”

JMS students also have the option to specialize in Global Media, a three-course concentration focused on international media systems and global journalism practices. Completion of the specialization is noted on students’ diplomas.

Priority enrollment and partial tuition subsidies are available to Journalism and Media Studies majors, making these valuable experiences accessible. Students from other majors may also apply, space permitting. Applications are accepted and processed by Rutgers Global (the study abroad office).

Learn more about the Journalism and Media Studies major on the website.

Photo Credit: Abby Brown JMS'26