Emmy Martin
Midpoint Reflection — Post 2
As of July 14, I am one month into my internship at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina. During my time thus far, I have reported on a variety of topics, from a protest outside a rally for President Joe Biden to a Chappell Roan concert. Last month, I completed the POLITICO Journalism Institute, a two-week journalism program in Washington, D.C. Before that, I traveled around the United Kingdom.
It is a privilege to work with professional journalists at POLITICO and The News & Observer. I am learning to be a better reporter by working in the field. I look forward to continuing my internship at The News & Observer through August, where I will continue to cover metro and political news in addition to long-form investigations as the projects intern. I have taken the initiative to pitch stories and have been able to work with several teams within the newsroom. I commute to Raleigh from Chapel Hill for my internship. It has been fun to explore downtown Raleigh. I am also enjoying covering events that occur in Raleigh. At POLITICO, I wrote about Hollywood’s support for President Joe Biden as the 2024 presidential election nears. I worked with incredible editors and reporters during my time there, as well as the impressive students in my cohort. We also got to tour NPR, ABC, and the Capitol. In our free time, we explored Washington, D.C., and its impressive restaurant scene.
During my two-week trip to England and Scotland, I became more independent because I was traveling alone. I jumped outside my comfort zone and interacted with strangers as I visited Stonehenge, the Scottish Highlands, and coastal towns. My favorite city was Edinburgh because of its rich and deep history. I also enjoyed visiting Loch Ness and surrounding towns. I spent half the trip in Scotland and the other half in England. I navigated public transportation and learned how to get around London fairly quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in London because of the different cultures of each neighborhood. My favorite places were Notting Hill and Shoreditch. I look forward to one day being able to visit Ireland and Wales.
Solo traveling is no easy feat. It’s a wonderful experience, of course, but there were moments when I was exhausted from navigating every situation completely alone. But it was in those moments that I learned the most. I walked a mile in the pouring rain with all my belongings in my backpack to get to the Edinburgh train station when a bus was late. I hiked the Seven Sisters cliffs on the English coast for hours, crossing ice-cold water with bare feet. Situations like those reminded me to be grateful for the opportunity to travel. I gained a better perspective about the vastness of the world and my place in it.
Pre-Departure Reflection — Post 1
This summer, I plan to spend two weeks in the United Kingdom before returning to the United States for the 2024 POLITICO Journalism Institute in Washington, D.C., and then to Raleigh for my internship with The News & Observer. I plan to pursue a journalism career after graduation and look forward to my professional opportunities this summer. The trip before my time at POLITICO and The News & Observer is intended to broaden my worldview and strengthen my independence and passion for adventure. Eve Carson’s legacy reminds me to “learn from every single being, experience, and moment.”
This experience will push me outside of my comfort zone, allowing me to improve my communication skills as a journalist and a citizen of the world. During my trip, I will visit historically significant locations in England and Scotland such as Stonehenge, the Scottish Highlands, and Oxford University. I am determined to actively engage with new people and immerse myself in their diverse experiences and outlooks. Pursuing adventure and gaining knowledge is a lifelong pursuit that is essential for meaningful connection. I look forward to improving my planning, reflection, and communication skills during the trip. I am thankful for the Eve Carson Scholarship, which made this opportunity available.
I am excited to travel alone across England and Scotland because it will require me to become more independent and solve problems on my own, thus leading to deeper confidence and self-reliance. Solo travel will broaden my perspective and enrich my understanding of the world. I hope it is a transformative experience that enhances my self-awareness and adaptability. While I am nervous about navigating travel in the United Kingdom alone, I am prepared to overcome any challenges that come my way during my abroad experience. I lived in Dallas last summer and learned much about self-resilience and independence — this experience will prepare me for my time solo traveling. I hope to return to UNC feeling empowered after my trip to England and Scotland and I look forward to the stories I will bring back with me.
Following my two-week trip, I look forward to attending a program at POLITICO’s newsroom in Arlington, Virginia. This Journalism Institute is an intensive training program designed to advance newsroom diversity. The 10-day program for undergraduate and graduate students offers hands-on training for those interested in sharpening their skills at the largest politics- and policy-focused newsroom in the country. After this program, I will return to North Carolina to complete a 10-week internship at The News & Observer in Raleigh where I will focus on investigations and special projects. I hope these professional experiences will benefit my career and I look forward to engaging with the talented journalists at both institutions.