School of Journalism and Media Hosts Special Visiting Student Group From Nanjing University

A group of 19 students from China successfully concluded their semester-long study abroad program with the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information’s School of Journalism and Media. The participants are students in the honors program at the School of Journalism and Communication at Nanjing University, which is consistently ranked among the top 10 of China’s institutions of higher learning.

The program, which lasted from Sept. 6 through Dec. 7, offered the visiting students a unique educational experience incorporating classroom instruction, visits to sites of cultural and historical significance in Lexington and the surrounding area, and a plethora of diverse events on the UK campus.

Special classes tailored to these visiting students included media research methods, intercultural communication, U.S. media culture, print and broadcast news reporting, and magazine writing and production, most of which are core areas of specialization within the School of Journalism and Media. Upon reflecting on his overall stay here, Jiang Bowen, one of the participating students, said, “We all have had a wonderful time studying here. Before we came (to UK), we didn't even know where this university was. Now, we have learned firsthand what a great university UK is, and we are so glad that we came here.”

“I had a wonderful experience teaching the students from Nanjing. They were all very hard working and dedicated. I really appreciated how much they wanted to learn about broadcasting because they asked me more questions than any group of students I have had. They put a smile on my face every time I walked into class. They are a special group of students who I will always remember,” said Andrew Dawson, an instructor with the School of Journalism and Media, while assessing his classroom experience with the students.

The students also visited the state capital of Frankfort, toured Buffalo Trace Distillery, watched horse racing at Keeneland Racecourse, took horse riding lessons at the Kentucky Horse Park and attended UK football, volleyball and basketball games. They also visited popular tourist sites including Mammoth Cave National Park, Natural Bridge State Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This is the first year of a multi-year program based on an agreement between UK’s School of Journalism and Media and its counterpart at Nanjing University. The faculty director of the program is Zixue Tai, an associate professor with UK’s School of Journalism and Media. “This was a remarkable opportunity for the School of Journalism and Media. It promotes our reputation as a school with an international view. It expands the perspective of our faculty that they can take into classes with our own students. Dr. Tai did a remarkable job of organizing this program, and we believe it was a major success,” said Mike Farrell, professor and interim director of the School of Journalism and Media.