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Public Relations Internship Provides Global Opportunity

Katie Wilson imagined the advantages of gaining practical experience in Public Relations through an academic internship in Australia, but she never could have imagined the global spread of her work and its results.

In summer 2006, Katie embarked on an eight week internship in Brisbane, Australia and fulfilled the internship requirement for her Communication degree in Public Relations. Katie chose to work with the Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE). “ICE is a non-profit organization bringing technology and communication to communities,” Katie explains. ICE is known in Australia for its expertise in community cultural development, information and communications technology and media arts. They work with a wide range of community groups, and Katie’s internship focused on journalists in exile from Sierra Leone.

Darkness Over Paradise

ICE helped these journalists create a powerful documentary called “Darkness Over Paradise,” exposing the graphic realities of the ongoing civil war in Sierra Leone. Through real footage taken in country, the journalists present a comprehensive view of the atrocities taking place.

“These journalists would be killed for exposing this footage if they returned. When they decided to make this documentary, they knew it would mean they could never go home,” Katie explains. She worked with the journalists and ICE staff who provided the resources and had the knowledge to create the documentary. “The documentary was mostly finished when I was there. My job as a PR intern was to put together the premiere screening. I arranged the details with the theater and worked on all the marketing and logistics of the event,” Katie says. She created the invitation list, invited VIP’s to the screening, and confirmed attendance.

Accomodating Cultural Differences

Wilson says, “It was a great experience both professionally and personally. I learned a lot not only about Australia, but about many other cultures and their differences.” Katie’s position allowed her to observe the cultural differences between Australians and Sierra Leonean journalists. “I had to arrange media interviews between the Australian press and the journalists. Both have a completely different concept of time. As I got to know the journalists, I knew I had to schedule the interview carefully to accommodate the journalist’s sense of time while not making the Australian press members wait!”

Katie’s internship experience helped her realize that political allies can determine what news the public receives and how it is presented. “I learned things from these journalists that are not the things you would see on CNN or BBC,” she explains. “It made me realize how self-centered I have been in my own world in Washington state. There is a much bigger world out there.”

Furthermore, Katie’s arranged housing was very international in nature. “My housemates, who were also doing internships, were from Germany, Hungary, Korea, Russia and the US. It was fascinating to learn to communicate when we were all from such different backgrounds,” Katie says. “I made all sorts of unexpected connections. I ran a marathon with a South African who has become my best friend.” Katie comments that beyond the professional experience she learned a lot about cultural differences and culture shock. “I proved I can survive on my own in different conditions and cultures.”

Documentary Premiere

Katie returned home with the only copy of the documentary in the U.S. “I’m trying to get the film out there through different channels.” Katie organized the premiere of “Darkness Over Paradise” on February 21st through the WSU chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She also hopes to show it at the upcoming Spokane area chapter conference and at the Murrow Symposium.

“This [study abroad] experience made me more excited and eager to graduate. I have proven that I can be productive in real world situations and I feel more confident in myself and my abilities.” 

Katie will graduate in May 2007.

To learn more about the documentary “Darkness Over Paradise”: http://darknessoverparadise.squarespace.com/

To learn more about ICE: www.ice.org/au