Kendall Leigh McNamee

     Digital Story Telling: Documenting a Community in Urbino, Italy

 

"Kendall McNamee participated in a four-week study abroad program this past summer in which students developed multimedia content documenting the people and places of Urbino, Italy, and the surrounding Marche Region. McNamee, a senior communication studies major at JMU, was one of 28 JMU students to participate in the annual study abroad trip, known as the Urbino Project. Coached by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, two former Washington Post and White House photographers, and major-television-market videographers and reporters, the students created text, photos and video, and learned how to navigate as professional journalists in a foreign culture by working with Italian interpreters. Their work is featured at http://2014.inurbino.net/."

 

"My time in Urbino has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Living in this charming historic town allowed me to be fully immersed into true Italian culture. Learning to write and take photographs for a published magazine was challenging, but with the continuous guidance of dedicated advisors and professors, I was able to complete my article and grow as a journalist. I could have never asked for a better group of advisors or students to work with while abroad. Everything from the endless amounts of pasta to the relaxed and friendly environment, this has been an interesting cultural experience. I will sincerely miss wandering through the cobblestone streets, seeing the beautiful sunsets outside my dorm window, and the best organic gelato I’ve ever tasted. Four weeks here hardly seems like long enough."

 

The gallery below showcases my most favorite photos I took while studying in Urbino.

 

To read my full, published article, Laughing Your Way to Health in Urbino Now - click here.

 

 

After returning back to the States and then JMU, I was one of the three chosen students to participate in the panhel information session for students interested in the program. Read more about the session here.