The class, taught during fall semester by journalism professor, John Kaplan, seeks to bring together writers and photographers to learn about the principles and techniques of international journalism. Each year, for at least five years, we hope to visit a new country in Latin America for hands-on experience documenting culture and community. It is hoped that in time the program may be expanded to other parts of the world as well.

In October 2001, our program's second year, fourteen photographers and writers spent eight days working in teams to document life in the Cayo District in Belize. In 2000, we chose traveled to Santa Cruz, Costa Rica. We proudly display our first two international projects here in an online magazine format. Each December, we also produce a photography and writing exhibition that is open to the public. Additionally, students are encouraged to seek out freelance venues for publishing their work.

During the first half of the semester, students learn advanced story research techniques and choose possible story ideas for their field work. Guest lecturers visit our weekly class and share their expertise. After our October visit to a Latin American country, each student produces a story in either words or pictures for publication on the web and in print. Writers and photographers are encouraged to work together. Our online web magazine is produced with the assistance of students serving as editing and production staff and its design is led by Professor Kaplan.

Join our staff
Each year in March, a public meeting is held and students submit a portfolio of their best work to apply to join our staff. Work is evaluated in a juried selection process with the goal of selecting a mix of advanced writers and photographers for the upcoming fall class. Travel costs are partially subsidized through a generous grant from the St. Petersburg Times. Student aid is also available. The roughly fifteen students selected to join our team sign up under either a JOU 4930 or MMC 6936 course number, depending on undergraduate or graduate standing.

Please contact us to share your comments, learn more about taking the course or to suggest a location for a future FlyIn. Associate Professor John Kaplan can be reached at jkaplan@jou.ufl.edu or by telephone at 352-392-0435.