We offer each of our trainees a summer bursary of up to £1,000 every summer of their degree to spend on journalism work experience or a journalism project, giving them the unique opportunity to travel and explore the areas of journalism they are passionate about.
Here, School of Journalism trainee Evie McQuhae shares how she spent her summer bursary volunteering in Sri Lanka.
Thanks to The School of Journalism bursary in July, I was able to jet off to Sri Lanka and partake in three weeks of volunteering.
The bursary covered the biggest expense of my trip – the flights – and allowed me to visit a country I’d never been to before.
@eviemcquhae♬ Here Comes The Sun / The Inner Light – The Beatles
I volunteered in a shelter for street dogs in the mornings and taught local children English in the afternoons, helping the local community.
It is estimated that currently there are more than three million street dogs in Sri Lanka with diseases like Rabies on the rise.
@eviemcquhae♬ Evergreen – Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners
The situation is a growing concern and could possibly trigger social issues, or harm public health, so I knew I wanted to play my part and help the situation.
Whilst I was out in Sri Lanka I was able to meet new people from different countries, cultures, and lives.
During my first year at The School of Journalism I was taught a number of vital interview techniques which I was able to put to use in Sri Lanka when talking to locals and other volunteers.
This allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and learn more on my travels making me a much better journalist.
The School of Journalism gave me the means to test out my aspirational role as a travel journalist much earlier and gave me a vital piece to add to my portfolio.
I found this scheme helpful as it allowed to put to use my term-time skills in the summer out in the real world.
This experience has allowed me to write my own travel blog but also gave me the opportunity to help those who are less fortunate and for that I am grateful to The School of Journalism.
You can read more summer bursary blogs here.
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