International Media Class Visits United Kingdom Thursday, June 13, 2019
Eighteen Point Park University students in the International Media class traveled to London, Windsor, Stratford, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh May 5-17, 2019. Professors Helen Fallon, M.A., Robin Cecala, Ph.D., taught the class, and accounting Professor Cheryl Clark, MBA, CPA, and academic coordinator Jan Getz accompanied the group.
"This class was developed to introduce students to different cultures and to see first hand how the media in those countries visited each year are both different and similar to the United States," said Getz, who retired from her teaching position at Point Park in 2010 and created the course in 2008. "Students are often surprised at how versatile their majors are across media. They also discover that what they are learning at Point Park is totally applicable in the real world."
For Anna Wolf, a senior public relations and advertising major from Knoch High School in Saxonburg, Pa., this was her first trip abroad.
"I've never left the country, and I was beyond excited," Wolf said. "It was interesting to see how similar PR and advertising agencies are to those in the U.S. and comforting to know that what we are learning in the classroom reflects what the career field is like."
This was the 12th international media trip offered by the School of Communication. The course is available to students in that school and Honors Program members.
"Our media and cultural visits made this 12th trip overseas one for all of us to remember," Fallon said. "We learn so much more than we ever could in a classroom. Plus, we arrived right as the royal baby was born. It was interesting to watch the coverage of this new member of the royal family in the UK media and the reaction to his birth in each city."
Trip Highlights
London
- City tour to see Big Ben Clock Tower, Houses of Parliament, Marble Arch, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
- Lecture at Regent's University about the current landscape of the UK media with Jason MacKenzie, former president, Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
- Media visits: Battenhall, Burson, Cohn & Wolfe and Hearst UK.
Windsor, Stratford and Liverpool
Manchester and Edinburgh
- BBC (lectures and BBC MediaCityUK tour).
- Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a haunted Edinburgh tour.
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and networking with professionals at Whitespace.
Experiencing the UK: Student and Faculty Feedback
"It was an amazing networking opportunity meeting with the founder and managing director of Battenhall. Speaking with him about the importance of international employees piqued my interest. I am fluent in English and Spanish and felt that I could stand out in an agency like this. It truly was an incredible experience to visit and have access to these agencies." — Diego Febres-Cordero, senior PR and advertising major from North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pa.
"Going to the UK has made me more mindful of the world around me. It is awe-inspiring to see so much history packed together with the modern world and it seems everyone there was mindful of keeping balance. I hope going forward to be able to strike a balance between those two things." — Angela Altieri, senior PR and advertising major and Honors Program student from Keystone Oaks High School in Pittsburgh, Pa.
"All of the companies and professionals we visited were so welcoming; the students were engaged and asked great questions. I enjoyed all of the cities we visited on this trip, but Edinburgh was by far my favorite." — Robin Cecala, Ph.D., associate professor of broadcast production.
"I have always loved traveling, but most of my adventures have been domestic. This was the first time I took a trip overseas and it has forever changed me. There is so much of the world that I got to see, but now I feel like there is still so much more I have yet to experience." — Madeline King '19, B.S. in accounting and Honors Program alumna, from South Allegheny High School in Lincoln Boro, Pa.
"During the media visits, I expected the professionals in the UK to have an entirely different outlook on the media and advice on how to prepare for a career after college. That was definitely not the case. The information everyone shared is exactly what we learn in an Academic Hall classroom at Point Park. It's relieving and exciting to know our work is universal, and we could literally end up anywhere." — Dara Collins, senior journalism major from Richland Senior High School in Johnstown, Pa.
"They say going abroad is a life-changing experience, but it's not really until you're fully immersed in another culture thousands of miles away that you realize this. You're forced to view the world around you in a different light. You see not only other perspectives, but also other people living their day-to-day lives, just like you. Going abroad forces you to learn to go with the flow and truly live in the moment." — Kayla Snyder, senior PR and advertising major and Honors Program student from Shaler Area High School in Shaler, Pa.
Learn more about the students' experiences abroad by visiting the student-created website.
More About: International media trip, accounting, South Allegheny High School, public relations and advertising, Keystone Oaks High School, Richland High School, Honors Program, faculty, Knoch High School, School of Communication, journalism, Shaler Area High School, alumni, North Allegheny Senior High School, study abroad