Newest Destinations for 2018 SJMC Study-in-America Trip Announced

By Cartney Sharp

cbs76@txstate.edu

Nicole Hengst Photo by: Cartney Sharp 

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Study-in-America program announced seven new destinations students will travel to during the 2018 trip. The program will take students to the following national and state parks:

·      Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway

·      Santa Fe, NM

·      Grand Canyon National Park

·      Zion National Park

·      Mesa Verde National Park

·      Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

·      Palo Duro Canyon State Park

This 14-day trip will give mass communication students from Texas State University hands-on experience, with a variety of writing and social media assignments at each of the locations, while also taking part in a work-share camping experience through these state and national parks . The goal of the trip is to get students to gain first-hand experience in real world situations.

Nicole Hengst, the program assistant for SJMC Study-in-America, helped run the program last year. Her love for camping as a child led to her interest in the program. She also took interest in its ability to immerse students in nature, while gaining real world experience.

“We are really trying to encourage young people, your generation, to take advantage of these parks and services that we have and really find value in them,” said Hengst.  

This program is run by the Office of Distance and Extended Learning and allows students to earn up to six credits in Feature Writing and Mobile Storytelling in the Park. The program integrates preparation classes, the work-share camping experience, and a final presentation to faculty and partners of the work the students wrote, as a way to offer a brand-new experience in learning about journalism and communication.

“We’re wanting to help students with internships, jobs and helping fill out portfolios,” said Hengst.

In order to take part in the program, students must be full major status in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and must have completed the prerequisites for the two classes being offered.

For the 2017 trip, students attended lectures for two weeks prior to leaving. These classes included information about how the trip would work and a research component about the locations they would visit.

The 2018 trip will also require applicants to go through an interview process. This will allow program directors to see what kind of social media influence students have and determine whether they are prepared for this type of trip.  

One of the main goals of the program is to offer students the same type of experience as studying abroad without the high costs. Each course requires students pay the $750 tuition fee, as well as a $900 program fee that covers lodging and most food. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

“This program is really supposed to be a more cost-efficient way for students to be able to travel and get an experience learning outside of the classroom without the heavy heavy price tag of traveling abroad,” said Hengst.

For students interested in the program, they can check out the SJMC Study-in-America panel during Mass Communication Week at Texas State University to learn more about it.