From sports journalism in Dublin to media studies in Seoul, study abroad programs immerse SOJC students in global communication.
By Ethan Donahue, Class of ’26
For UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) students, studying abroad isn’t just about traveling and gaining new academic experiences. International study programs allow students to sharpen their storytelling skills in fast-paced, unfamiliar environments where culture, communication and media differences are stark.
Studying abroad, either for a single term or longer, allows SOJC students in journalism, advertising, public relations and media studies to meet professionals, build cultural fluency and adapt to new situations.
“My experience abroad greatly impacted how prepared I feel to go into this field of work,” said Madison Greenway, a fourth-year dual journalism and Spanish major.
Greenway participated in the Interviewing and Story Development program in Oviedo, Spain, led by Professor Peter Laufer, the SOJC’s James N. Wallace Chair of Journalism, in summer 2025. Laufer will be leading the same program to Oviedo this summer.
Greenway said that she had very little interview experience at the start of the trip, but Laufer expected students to jump in and start interviewing people immediately.
“I’m very grateful for that because it taught me that I can do it even if it is hard,” she said. “I have since put that experience into practice. Without studying abroad, I think I would have a harder time with all of that.”
The UO offers programs across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Oceania, and they range from a month-long stay to an academic year. Some are tailored specifically for SOJC students and allow participants to earn credits toward their majors or minors and even meet UO or elective requirements.
Exploring communication in study abroad programs
For SOJC students, the best opportunities for career-building include programs that offer a glimpse into communication careers, covering topics like international journalism, visual storytelling, global strategic communication, sports reporting, political communication, food journalism, digital media, audio storytelling and more. These programs are led by SOJC professors and include for-credit courses.
SOJC Professor of Practice Charlie Butler teaches a four-week summer course on sportswriting in Dublin.
“Teaching in Dublin allows me to work with students even more closely than when we’re in Eugene,” Butler said. “Students also get the chance to be sports journalists in real time. They are covering a track meet on deadline, they’re going to a Gaelic football game or hurling match and then writing about it, they profile Irish athletes and meet Dublin-based sports reporters.”
The focus is on experiential learning, Butler said. “So, ideally, they leave the program feeling more comfortable about the life of a sports journalist — from the deadlines they face to the excitement of being around a live sporting event that they are covering.”
Some students have had stories published in Irish media, so they come home with some clips to add to their portfolios.
That program will not be offered in 2026 but will return in 2027.
K-pop course will focus on global entertainment media
Coming this summer is a new faculty-led program called K-Pop and Beyond, taught by College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Susanna Lim. The program focuses on global entertainment media, transnational fan culture, media industries and Korean cultural exports, and it builds on multiple elements of media studies.
“Although this is our first time running the program, we’re very excited about its design and the opportunities it will offer students,” Lim said.
Unlike previous Korea-related study abroad options at UO — which typically matched one student with a partner school — this program is a UO-approved course led directly by UO faculty on site.
“It’s the first Korea program of its kind at UO, and it allows students to earn eight UO credits while studying in one of the world’s most dynamic cultural and economic centers,” Lim said. “South Korea’s rise as a global powerhouse makes this an especially compelling opportunity for students in media and communication.”
Study abroad funding is available
Students who can’t afford a study abroad trip should check out the wide range of scholarships and funding available, including the SOJC’s Experiential Learning Fund. This fund has two levels, but the “big opportunities” grant, which offers $500 or more, is specifically designed for studying abroad.
In addition, the Global Education Oregon (GEO) program offers $450,000 in scholarships annually, with approximately 400 students receiving an average of $1,000 each. GEO’s general scholarships — nine scholarships covered by one application — are open to any student. First-year students can apply to Map Your Future to win a $1,000 scholarship to study abroad later in their academic careers. GEO offers program-specific scholarships that range from $500 to $1,500.
There are also recurring non-GEO scholarships, such as the Gilman Scholarship, designed for Pell Grant recipients.
A study abroad program for every student
There are a vast number of study abroad programs offered to UO students, and each category has its own requirements, deadlines and offerings. Here is a breakdown of what’s available:
SOJC programs
These study abroad programs are led by SOJC faculty and include course credits. They’re open to second-year students and above. There is no foreign language requirement.
Advertising and Public Relations in Uruguay
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Chris Chávez, the Carolyn Silva Chambers Distinguished Professor of Advertising, teaches this five-week program where students work directly with a Uruguayan winery to develop a global communications campaign. Classes offered include Global Culture and Global Campaign Strategies. Students visit regional cities, vineyards and cultural sites and take a weekend trip to Buenos Aires.
Sports Journalism in Dublin, Ireland
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Application deadline: Rolling. This program will return in 2027.
Butler teaches this four-week program focused on developing reporting, interviewing, multimedia and feature writing skills. Students attend matches, meet Irish athletes and promoters and visit media companies like The Irish Independent and RTE. The coursework includes a 300-level sports feature writing class and a 400-level sports reporting class.
K-Pop and Beyond in Seoul
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Lim developed this inaugural program that will explore Korean pop culture, media, globalization and social media use over four weeks. It begins with a one-week cultural and academic orientation on Jeju Island and then moves to Seoul for courses taught by Lim and Hanyang University faculty. The coursework includes excursions to filming locations, music districts and cultural landmarks. Students will take two 4-credit classes.
Voices of the Highlands: Audio Storytelling in Scotland
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Assistant Teaching Professor Charlie Deitz will lead this trip, which focuses on creating audio stories, rural reporting and narrative storytelling. Students take courses in comparative journalism and audio storytelling while traveling through Scotland. Excursions and fieldwork are centered on narrative construction, ethical reporting and intercultural communication with rural communities.
Food and Social Media in New Zealand
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Application deadline: March 15, 2026
This four-week program, led by Damian Radcliffe, the Carolyn S. Chambers Professor in Journalism, explores food culture, identity, digital storytelling and international media through New Zealand’s social and environmental landscape. Students examine Māori and Pacific cultural influences, ethical representation, media literacy and global communication content. The program includes two classes, Social Media for Journalists and Food Journalism in New Zealand. Within their coursework, students will visit Hobbiton, Waiheke Island, museums, vineyards and national media outlets.
Instagramming Amsterdam: Media Unfiltered
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Application deadline: March 15, 2026
This program, led by Associate Professor Maxwell Foxman, examines media ethics, media literacy and representation throughout Dutch culture. Students take media literacy and media ethics classes worth six credits. Students analyze how media shapes public understanding and deconstruct visual messaging by studying museum content, neighborhoods and international institutions.
Media in Ghana
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Requirements:
- Complete application form and attend a one-on-one interview
- Complete Media in Ghana (J410/510) spring term
This 30-year-old program, founded and led by Senior Associate Dean Leslie Steeves and co-led with Associate Professor Senyo Ofori-Parku, includes a two-credit preparation class during the spring term and a summer program involving customized full-time internships for students and group trips around Ghana. Students will gain an understanding of African colonial and post-colonial history, how African media was shaped and the challenges it faces. Students also learn about shared Ghanaian and North American History related to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and Ghana’s independence movement, and they will be able to critically evaluate representations of Africa in Western media. Students will leave with experience living and working professionally in an unfamiliar culture.
Global Education Oregon (GEO) Trips
UO professors and local professionals lead these GEO programs. They are open to students with a sophomore standing or above and a GPA of 2.5 or higher. There is no foreign language requirement.
Media and Sports in London
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Application deadline: Rolling
This four-week summer program combines two programs, The Culture of Sports and Sports Journalism in the UK and Social Media for Journalists, both taught by British faculty with extensive UK industry experience. Courses include guest speakers, media site visits and attendance at major sporting events. This program is designed for journalism, advertising and public relations majors and focuses on sports coverage and social media strategy outside the United States.
Interviewing and Story Development in Oviedo, Spain
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Application deadline: Rolling
This program focuses on refining students’ approaches to reporting and crafting stories across language and cultural divides. Coursework, taught by SOJC Professor Peter Laufer, focuses on interviewing techniques, source vetting, listening strategies and narrative development. The four-week program culminates in the publication of a magazine featuring student articles. There is no Spanish requirement for this program, as students are offered translators.
PR & Advertising in London
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Application deadline: Full for 2026. Check back next year.
This four-week summer program includes coursework taught both by SOJC faculty and London-based instructors. Classes explore the best practices in global public relations, advertising and brand communication. Students visit London-based agencies, such as WE Communications, Hoffman Agency and Weber Shandwick. This program was designed for PR and advertising majors and focuses on international PR and advertising strategies.
Wine Marketing in Siena
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Application deadline: Rolling
This summer program is a deep dive into the global wine industry with a focus on Tuscan wine and vinegar sustainability. Students work in consulting teams to develop marketing and sustainability recommendations for real wineries and present their deliverables directly to those wineries. Coursework includes three classes: Wine Marketing Management, Sustainable Marketing and Cross-Cultural Communication, and students go on excursions to local wineries. This program is designed for advertising and public relations students interested in brand strategies, sustainable marketing and immersive client-based projects.
Exchange Programs
The UO also offers 15 exchange programs with SOJC-related courses: four in Europe, four in Asia, two in North America and one in Australia. These exchange programs are generally open to students of sophomore standing or above, though a few require junior standing.
The GPA requirements range from 2.75 to 3.25. Only one program has a language requirement, as most coursework is offered in English, though some programs offer optional language courses.
Regardless of the program, UO student testimonials highlight how their experiences abroad are unforgettable and have a major impact on the rest of their academic careers and professional skills.
“You will never regret going, but you might regret missing the opportunity if you don’t go,” Greenway said.
Ethan Donahue is a journalism major with a double major in history. He is part of the School of Journalism and Communication’s direct-admit and honors programs. He is also part of the Clark Honors College. He is interested in investigative and conflict journalism and is working on a thesis focusing on how journalism, propaganda and the U.S. government interact during conflicts.
