SHSU Senior Connor Hyde traveled with GCJD to Beirut, Lebanon. GCJD was there to co-host a conference and training sessions for journalists who cover arts and culture. Hyde is the editor of the Houstonian, and wrote about the conference for the student newspaper.
This was Hyde's first time to travel overseas.
"When most of my friends take their first trips overseas they go to Italy, take a cruise, or something like that,” Connor said. “But for my first trip overseas being in Lebanon, it was definitely out of the ordinary, but it was very exciting and extremely fun. I would definitely do it again without even thinking twice.”
He had an opportunity to mingle with journalists from countries including Syria, Jordan, France, UK, the Netherlands and Lebanon.
“There were a lot of things I picked up on, how to be a better reporter, a better story teller, a better writer—it’s invaluable,” Hyde said. “Sitting in a room with a writer from The Washington Post, a former CNN producer, and a former Newsweek writer--you can’t get that lesson in a classroom.”
Hyde is the third student to travel overseas with GCJD. Stephen Green, a senior, also traveled to Beirut. Miranda Landsman, who graduated in December went to Bosnia.
Kelli Arena, GCJD's executive director said “It is part of our mission to aid in the professional development of our students. By providing these opportunities, we take students out of the classroom and into the field where they can witness news developments first hand."
Beirut may seem like a dangerous destination for students, but Arena insists safety is a priority and says precautions are taken to ensure the safety of students and staff. While in Lebanon, GCJD partners with the Samir Kassir Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting a free press.
To read more about Connor's thoughts on traveling to Beirut, click here.
Global Center for Journalism and Democracy
Dan Rather Communications Building, Room 201, Huntsville, TX 77340