An Exciting Start
By: Grace Holden, CAS ’24
Grace’s writing setup at home in Birmingham, UK.
Morocco World News – Rabat, Morocco
I have been interning as a journalist for Morocco World News for two weeks now and have so far found it to be a really interesting and rewarding experience. I wanted to pursue the VIA program because I loved the idea of having a flexible, virtual schedule that would allow me to immerse myself in another culture from my home. I am an international student from Birmingham in the UK and was excited by the opportunity to return home for the summer while also learning skills that will help to shape my future career.
Upon starting as a staff writer with the Rabat-based e-newspaper I was initially shocked at how much responsibility I was given straight off the bat. On my first day of work, I wrote an article that was published that same evening. Before I embarked on my research for the article I had little knowledge about the topic – for my first story I had to both educate myself and construct a story that would appeal to the MWN readership in just a few hours. Even after two short weeks I am shocked to find myself reporting current events soon after they happen, quickly collecting information from a variety of sources. I’m completely stumbling through, but I’m learning so much in the process.
I have now written pieces for the News and the Business sections, the Lifestyle section and am working on writing Feature articles. I have also picked up Editing work. It is constantly surprising – and cool – to see my writing on the Morocco World News website; I feel like the work I am doing is of genuine value to the team.
As well as vastly improving my knowledge of Moroccan politics and society through my writing, I have been improving my linguistic skills by taking Arabic classes. They are organised through the Rabat-based Center for Cross-Cultural Learning and I am excited for the remaining two weeks of the language program. It is really rewarding to learn Moroccan Arabic: I feel like I am really dedicating myself fully to the region.
As an intended International Relations major, interested in a travel-based career at the intersection of journalism and international development I really don’t think I could be in a better-suited internship this summer. I am looking forward to the next eight weeks and hope to continue developing my writing skills as I learn more about Moroccan politics, society, and culture.
The Virtual Internships Abroad (VIA) program provides self-directed and motivated Penn undergraduate students the opportunity to gain a fully funded professional work experience over the summer with a global employer, with the added convenience of working remotely.