Featured Internship: A year in Munich

E-Media senior Jordan Hurst is back at UC this fall after spending last year in Munich, Germany. Each year an Electronic Media student receives a scholarship to spend one year studying, working, and living in Cincinnati’s sister city Munich.

Jordan set his sights on Munich soon after he entered the E-Media program. He heard about the Munich Summer Curriculum and about the opportunity to study there for a year. To earn the opportunity,  Jordan said he developed "a secret plan".

Jordan’s secret plan included doing well in E-Media courses and taking German classes to fulfill his language requirements. Jordan’s interest in E-Media allowed him to do just that. His interests include web design and audio for films. Jordan enjoyed his media classes and the challenge of learning German.

Jordan took part in the Munich Summer Curriculum in 2007. Step one of the secret plan completed. The program had Jordan taking classes at the prestigious Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and interning for local radio station m94.5. This experience reaffirmed Jordan's desire to live in Munich.

Back on campus that fall,  Jordan knew the next step was---applying for the Munich scholarship. He says that advice from Professor Tom Haines guided his path. Professor Haines had shared the quote “Try to find the golden thread that links everything a bit closer.” The Munich Scholarship was Jordan's golden thread!

After winter quarter, Jordan applied for the Munich scholarship. Shortly after, Jordan got word that his secret plan was complete. He was the recipient of the scholarship and on his way to Germany.

“All the pieces just fell into place,” Jordan said. In reality it wasn't that simple.  Jordan worked very hard to achieve his dream.

While studying in Munich, Jordan took several journalism and film classes. As a class assignment, Jordan and another American student wrote an article for the Institute of Communications magazine Commuichater. The article was about Munich and Cincinnati’s sister city relationship.

Outside of class, Jordan met a lot of people and enjoyed traveling.  He plans to return to Europe and possibly live in Germany.

As far as Munich being a life-changing experience, Jordan says, “I am still me” but follows that with a great piece of advice--- “People should not be afraid to reinvent themselves.”

Jordan returned to Cincinnati in early September. He is finishing his E-Media program and considering getting a double major in German. 

“It has all turned out great,” he said.

Written by Ashley Morgan, October 2009