About this project

On the frontlines of both global warming and a global financial bust, Iceland seemed a natural destination for the third year of an International Reporting class. Unlike our previous trips to Mexico and Vietnam, logistics posed fewer problems – most of the populace spoke English, the food harbored no health risks, and dangers of crime were almost non-existent.


To foster their multi-media training, each student chose a main story to produce in their chosen field of study – on-line text or broadcast video – but also selected a second story for a secondary medium – graphics, photography or audio. We brought in on-line expert Brendan Watson from the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism to assist us with multi-media presentations. Professor David Burns from the Broadcast faculty worked with the broadcasters and traveled to Reykjavik with us. Stefan Valsson, a journalist and tourism specialist, guided us to sources and on expeditions into rural towns and farms in south and north Iceland.


The Icelandic people showed us a fierce resilience in the face of their financial troubles, and shrugged off the natural disasters that beset their tiny Nordic isle. While we expected to find a Global Warning harboring doom, we unexpectedly discovered encouragement in their undaunted spirits.


-- Lucinda Fleeson

Credits:
Website programing/design: Brendan Watson
Banner and homepage photos: David Burns, Ph.D.