Students got hands-on experience at the Paris Olympics, underscoring the university’s dedication to helping students reach their full potential through real-world learning.
BYU journalism students and professors recently returned from the Summer Olympics in Paris where they gained valuable hands-on experience covering the games.
Under the guidance of BYU communications professors Kris Boyle and Miles Romney, 18 students made the trip to France’s capital city to write stories, create social media content, and produce broadcasts highlighting Olympic athletes who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and athletes affiliated with BYU.
“It was the culmination of my studies. I had a lot of years of writing and interviewing under my belt so it was a great opportunity to take what I learned and just go at it,” said Jocelyn Moody, who recently graduated from the journalism program. “These are the top-tier athletes, and this is the top event of the world. I learned to take advantage of every opportunity I could.”
The students and professors would gather in the morning and talk about potential story ideas before traveling to different venues across the country to interview athletes and their friends and family members.
“You get out of it, what you put into it,” said Lauren Porter, who also recently graduated from the journalism program. “Stories are everywhere, you just need to be paying attention.”
Over two weeks, they produced 180 stories about the Church and BYU athletes. Their stories included everything from race recaps of the 5,000-meter finals featuring former BYU track athlete alumna Whittni Orton-Morgan to a feature piece on how the Church’s missionaries are spreading the gospel during the Olympics.
“We learned a lot about being a journalist. Yes, we were in Paris, but we also needed to produce stories,” said Jordan Burr, a senior in the journalism program. “It put us in our shoes of what our future as journalists in our careers will look like.”
This experiential learning opportunity was afforded to the journalism program thanks in part to BYU’s robust study abroad program offered through the Kennedy Center, which aims to give hands-on experience to BYU students around the world.
While in Paris, the students learned to be flexible and adjust to the resources they had available. Without access to all the events and athletes, BYU students highlighted additional perspectives and events other news outlets did not.
“I went to Paris with the mindset of knowing I had to work,” Moody said. “I wanted to write more complicated pieces for my portfolio, rather than just simple easy pieces.”
This attitude of hard work enabled Moody to connect with the wives of the BYU Olympic athletes, including Kylie Mantz, Ashley Corrigan, and Ashley Young. She interviewed them and published their perspectives in a piece that was published in the Desert News. She showcased the effort exemplified by the Olympian’s wives – a view not otherwise highlighted.
Burr also attended a fireside given by the Latter-day Saint Olympic athletes and highlighted the event on the Daily Universe.
“It was amazing to hear successful athletes and their testimonies. It brought peace knowing in the chaos of the Olympics there are athletes out there who put their trust and faith in God,” Burr said. It has blessed me with more knowledge of our Heavenly Father in others’ lives and helped me recognize Him in my own.”
"Having an emphasis on Christ in the classroom has been beneficial to my testimony because it shows how the gospel can relate in every sense."
Whether on the BYU campus or studying abroad, BYU’s mission to spiritually strengthen remains a constant, helping students cultivate a faith-centered perspective.
“BYU inspires me to be an honest, hardworking, and determined person. I love attending an institution that stands for truth and righteousness and represents not only the Church but God,” Moody said. “Having an emphasis on Christ in the classroom has been beneficial to my testimony because it shows how the gospel can relate in every sense.”
