The University of Memphis has entered a student exchange and internship program with two German universities and German Television ZDF, Europe’s largest broadcast company.
U of M students can study abroad at the University of Mainz and Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences, work at a paid internship at German Television ZDF, or both. The program begins in Fall 2002.
The program was finalized Nov. 13 at a breakfast attended by U of M President Shirley Raines, U.S. Consul General to Frankfurt Edward O’Donnell and representatives from The U of M, the U.S. State Department, the University of Mainz and Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences.
“This program is just amazing,” said Greg Wayland, a U of M student planning to attend school and do the internship next year. Wayland learned of the new program while asking about exchange programs with Germany. Wayland wanted to study in Germany without knowing about the internship, but the internship was a bonus for the 18-year-old freshman, who is interested in journalism as well.
“Everything in this program works out perfectly,” Wayland said.
Although Wayland wanted to do both the exchange and the internship, interested students don’t have to do both. They could do one or the other.
The exchange program and the internship are connected but not a package deal, said Jim Willis, holder of the Chair of Excellence in The U of M Department of Journalism. Students from all majors can participate, but the internship may appeal only to people interested in broadcasting.
“At this point, it’s designed for journalists,” Willis said.
However, the program is open to anyone.
“Really the main requirement is that you have to be fluent enough in German to take classes in German,” Willis said.
Wayland took three German classes in high school and is taking German now at The U of M.
“I’d have the best chance of fluency there,” Wayland said. He plans to take German and journalism classes before shipping off to Germany in October 2002.
The exchange program lasts from October to July of the following year. The internship is scheduled for the six-week break between semesters, Willis said.
Willis said the exchange program “grew out of” the internship, which has been on the drawing board since 1998. Willis and German Television ZDF staff members have been coming to Memphis since 1998 for a 10-day seminar to learn American television production and “immerse themselves in American culture,” Willis said.
Interested students should contact Jim Willis at 678-3669.
