Munich, You Were So Good to Me!

Six months have flown by in the blink of an eye, and in just a month, I will be repacking my suitcase to go back home to Australia. What started as a Professional Communications subject, which I expected to be a “fluff” course, mostly consisting of field trips that filled up my ECTS, turned out to be much more, equipping me with new skills and experiences I did not expect to enjoy—and I absolutely did.

Field Trips That Brought Journalism to Life

The field trips were at the heart of this subject, offering exposure to diverse journalism and transforming journalism from a theoretical concept into reality. 

At Bayerischer Rundfunk, I gained an insight into the structures supporting daily news production, the importance of editorial independence, and the evolving role of AI. Discussions about the Rundfunkbeitrag and the balance between public interest and media funding sparked reflections that went beyond just observing the broadcast studios.

The Deutsches Museum offered a creative perspective on communication. Interactive exhibits and thoughtful design showed me how complex ideas can be presented clearly and engagingly to a wide audience. It reminded me that good journalism, like a good curation, is about clarity, creativity and truly adapting and connecting with its audience. Similarly, visits to Süddeutsche Zeitung further emphasised journalism’s adaptability, observing the distinction between older print subscribers and younger digital readers and how storytelling must shift in format while preserving substance.

The Media Science Communication Lab was interesting, especially about the online harassment towards researchers, although I felt the session could have been more interactive.

Out of all the 6 field trips, my favourite field trip was ​​the Media School of Bayern for its hands-on exposure and innovative projects, and the Media Lab of Bayern for the engaging activity of producing a start-up idea for youth and broadcasting companies. Media School of Bayern showcased how student journalists are trained to operate within today’s real fast-paced and multimedia environment. Media School of Bayern is a great institution supporting students who want real experiences of being a journalist and equipping them with practical skills to be journalists. I enjoyed the tour around the institution, looking at some new stories and projects the students are working on in the news room, music room, radio room etc. 

The Media Lab, initially less appealing due to the lack of a tour, turned out to be extremely engaging. We worked on producing a start-up idea for youth and broadcasting companies, learning through activity and collaboration. I discussed in class that if these two trips combined—Media Lab’s interactive activities and Media School’s immersive tours—it would be the perfect field trip.

The People

A defining aspect of these trips was the enthusiasm of the people we met. The journalists and curators we encountered went above and beyond to share their knowledge, making the learning experience personal and memorable. From the SZ Print House journalist adamant that newspapers will never die, to the Bayerischer Rundfunk senior journalist giving an extended tour, and the Deutsches Museum curator linking exhibits to storytelling, each encounter left a lasting impression.

Reflecting on Foreign Media

I learned how to write opinion pieces, features, and reportage in a style slightly different from what I was used to in Australia. As silly as it sounds, I had assumed that journalism was the same everywhere. I was surprised to discover, for example, that Australian reportage tends to focus more on feature style writing telling and sometimes telling the reader what the story means. Whereas in Germany, reportage are scene driven, creating a virtual cinema and showing the reader what happens. Studying in a foreign media environment challenged my assumptions and showed me that journalism is not just about format but rather different media systems and cultural contexts shape how stories are told and received.

Personal Growth & Perspective of my Exchange Journey 

Living and studying in Munich offered more than academic insights. It provided cultural immersion and exposure to global media practices that would be difficult to access in Sydney. From live radio narrations in German at Bayerischer Rundfunk to behind-the-scenes print production at Süddeutsche Zeitung , the experience was invaluable and an unimaginable access in Sydney as a student.

So, Munich, thank you for an unforgettable six months. This city has not only enriched my skills but also given me a renewed respect for journalism and the impact it can have when approached thoughtfully and creatively.