Study media in France, Turkey or Italy this summer

As many of you know, when I'm not blogging or teaching journalism at San Francisco State University I'm directing a summer media study-abroad program sponsored by the Institute for Education in International Media (ieiMedia).

ieiMedia programs are open to English-speaking students from colleges and universities all over the world, who gather to study media skills, as well as the local language and culture, and spend four incredible weeks reporting on the city. Students create a website or print magazine about each community. Participants earn 3 transferable credits from a university.

We've just announced the programs for summer 2011:

Urbino, Italy

(Section 1: Multimedia Reporting or Section 2: Magazine Publishing)
June 9-July 7, 2011

Urbino lies in the northern part of central Italy’s Marche Region, nestled between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Many say the Renaissance started here under the patronage of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, whose twin-turreted palace still houses an outstanding collection of period art. Other attractions include a unique botanical garden and the boyhood home of the Renaissance artist Raphael. Lively beach towns are a bus ride away. Students will live and learn at the University of Urbino, with all meals included. Students who sign up for the magazine publishing project will produce Urbino Now, a digital English-language magazine. Those who sign up for Multimedia Reporting will study photography, international reporting and video and produce a website about the city. The programs include full room and board in a recently renovated, air-conditioned dormitory.

Perpignan, France

June 23-July 23, 2011

Study multimedia storytelling and French language and culture in this charming Catalan city near the Spanish border. Students will study blogging, shooting and editing video, and international reporting and create a multimedia website about the community. Perpignan lies in the Languedoc region of southwestern France, 8 miles west of the Mediterranean Sea and 19 miles north of the Spanish border, within sight of the Pyrenees. The city features a charming, pedestrian-friendly historic quarter; a daily market; numerous summer arts festivals and lively night life. Many attractions in France and Spain are only a short train ride away. Students will live in air-conditioned studios in a modern hotel and study French at respected language academy.

Istanbul, Turkey

Dates TBA

Come report on this exotic yet sophisticated city, the only major metropolis that straddles two continents, Asia and Europe. While steeped in history, Istanbul is an energetic modern city where people from around the world still come to make a future. You can explore it easily by public transportation and on foot. Students will cover street life, politics, culture and the arts, while learning about blogging, basic multimedia techniques and Turkish language and culture. Stories will be published in a digital magazine and considered for inclusion in a book about the city.

Find out more at our website, ieimedia.com.