I absolutely cannot thank enough Prof. Latty, Prof. Smith, Mandi, and all the pros who spoke to us. The profs and Mandi advised me on my story idea/hook amazingly and were supportive and always always always did their best to help me out if I was stuck or confused. And the speakers’ role in helping me think about whether or not journalism is right for me was enormous. Extremely helpful advice and truths that I wouldn’t hear anywhere else.

This workshop was great; stressful at times, but I will always cherish this experience.

There have been so many rewarding aspects of this program, so I’ll only narrow it down to one: the people.

The journalists I met taught me to have two important values: perseverance and passion. Sure, journalists don’t make a lot of money and have crazy hours, but they love what they do and nothing else matters. Their advice and stories have changed me in so many ways. I mean, in the biography that was written on Day 1, I told Nicole that I was interested in journalism and engineering. Today, I am almost 80% sure I want to go into journalism. I want to test myself in my career, as this program has tested me, instead of taking the “safer” career route.

I will also miss the professors, the editors, and Mandy. They have been so helpful, even when I wanted to give up or make excuses as to why I can’t get a certain interview. When I first went out to report, I was like, “Oh my god. What are the professors thinking sending out clueless teenagers to report on their own?” But we needed that push to get immersed in our stories. We learned so much more through our stumbling and mistakes than we would have if the professors would have walked us through everything. My story and video has turned out the way it has because of their advice.

Finally, the other students in this program have been amazing. I’ve met poets, comedians, Twitter queens, book nerds, and so many journalists-to-be. Even though I’m not that outspoken and didn’t get to know everyone, the UJW is so diverse and is the reason I have stayed sane while working for three straight days on my multimedia. You guys are all awesome and I hope to see you one day outside on the field.

<3 UJW!

After someone reads one of my pieces, I want them to put down the magazine, stop and reflect and think “Hey, that’s really interesting.” or “Wow, I need to help out with this.”…. kind of scaring people into action, whatever to cause.

I want be an advocate for those people who have no voice. To reveal corruption and to really make an impact, to make people reflect and think.

Time to graduate!

-Chlouie

From the start, this was something special.

Instead of hanging around and wasting time (which we did do sometimes), we

Nourished our ability to tell stories that mattered

In a charming place called East Village.

So thanks, everyone, for ten days that rocked.

Yay

Like I said before, meeting all these journalists has really increased my respect for everyone. I know I’ll never look at the New York Times the same way again, now that I know the hell that every single writer at the Times had to endure to get where there were, even if it was on the last page of the newspaper. These journalists really have a lot of courage to start from the bottom of the ladder and work their way up, even if they got pushed off along the way.

I think my entire experience at UJW has been about learning about the stories behind everyone I’ve met. Even my story, about the people in art galleries (curators, an artist), portrayed people who decided to sacrifice a safe and secure lifestyle for something more elusive, such as art. It’s really hard to succeed in art, and it’s just as hard to succeed in journalism, but everyone I’ve met has chosen the less travelled path at the fork of the road–which, even though it might not have brought them riches, it has brought them happiness and peace of mind.

I really admire all of the people I’ve met and I hope that I will achieve the same personal satisfaction that they have achieved. I hope that, whatever I do (actually I had a thunderbolt moment in Penn station), I’ll be able to look back on my life and know that I took chance, tried my best, and am doing something that I personally find worthwhile.

Thanks, Professor Latty, Mandy, and everyone else. These ten days have been truly awesome.

Oh and I love my fellow “classmates”/”campers” who I’ve met too

Although the Urban Journalism Workshop was directed to exhibit a taste of the world of journalism to aspiring journalists, I’m not sure if I want to definitely pursue this career. I plan on reading more newwspaper articles because the way one becomes a better writer is by reading good writing.

I’m ready to see whatever is in store, it seems distant but it’s closer than I could imagine.

Thanks for everything UJW!

-Jovani Hernandez

Dreamer.

I learned a lot form this program and I know that I’m going to take a lot away from this program, and I’m glad that I’m got in it before it is all done.

Well this is goodbye!