Creating Content for a Global Audience at Voice of America

By Dean’s Intern Sophia Solano at Voice of America

As an intern for Voice of America’s Student Union, a web page and online community that focuses primarily on international students in the U.S., I’ve begun thinking globally. For three years, my reporting has centered around life in the District. Now, with a global audience, I’m creating content about important issues all around the world, from Tibet to Indonesia to Colombia. In a socially-distanced pandemic world, it’s incredible to be able to connect with people from all corners of the globe and walks of life, and to talk to them about things that matter to them.

Everyday is a whirlwind. I work with my editor, professional journalist Kathleen Struck, to report breaking news and global trends that impact international students. We have a wonderful team of interns who meet weekly and work together daily to create content for our web and social media pages. Even though it’s a remote internship, it really feels like a newsroom community, something many journalists say they’re missing right now.

Best of all, I’m able to report important stories for our audience, including the effect of the Capitol riots on international students, college students’ COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, and the impact of the Chinese/American trade war on international student enrollment and college finances. With more stories in the works, this internship has heightened my journalism skills and love of the field immensely. Working at VOA makes me excited to enter the world of professional journalism!