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.
School of Journalism trainee Ella McIntyre shared how she used her bursary creating a project about travelling around Croatia.
With my summer bursary, I travelled to Dubrovnik, Croatia, to create a project titled Croatia Unfiltered.
The aim was to document my trip through both a website and a digital magazine, exploring the city in ways that went beyond the glossy tourist images you usually see on Instagram and other travel blogs.
The website featured daily travel diaries, historical storytelling, “Instagram vs reality” reflections, and an interactive travel map linking to stories from each location I visited.
Once the site was finished, I adapted and expanded these pieces into a digital zine a more visual, creative format where I felt the stories truly came alive.
The magazine showcased the stunning imagery captured by me and my cousin Chloe, who travelled with me, and allowed me to experiment with design as much as writing.
I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Croatia had always been a dream destination, and this project allowed me not only to experience it but to relive it creatively through words and visuals.
There were challenges along the way.
Using Wix to build my website was at times frustrating, as I juggled large amounts of content and struggled to make the design reflect my vision.
I also had to think carefully about tone and structure; how to make my first blog something authentic and still engaging for a reader.
By the time I began designing my magazine on Canva, I felt much more confident. The platform was more intuitive, and I had a clearer creative direction.
I wanted the zine to be a beautiful but chaotic embodiment of my trip, and I feel it captured Dubrovnik’s raw essence perfectly.
This process has been incredibly insightful. It has helped me identify the kinds of journalism I enjoy most, reminded me that every project comes with challenges, and given me a chance to experiment with both storytelling and visual design.
It has also prepared me for my third year magazine module, particularly in terms of developing my writing style and creative vision.
I am proud to have produced something that reflects both my travels and my growth as a trainee journalist.
My website and blog can be read here.
My digital zine can be read here.
Many thanks to the School of Journalism for making this possible, and for giving me the chance to create something I never imagined I would.
You can read more of our summer bursary blogs here.
Sign up to our free The School of Journalism taster sessions here.