Backpack Journalism

What is Backpack Journalism?

Backpack Journalism is a competitive international reporting program funded by generous alumni and donors. Four high-achieving Murrow college students travel to a foreign country to report a story with guidance from a faculty member. In the past, backpack journalism trips have sent students to destinations such as Nepal, Greece, Galapagos Islands, Guatemala, Costa Rica, China, Sri Lanka and others. 

Students equipped with the latest video, audio and web technology produce multimedia content suitable for publication by media outlets. Backpack Journalism students experience the challenges and benefits of international travel, may have their work published by professional media and enrich their academic and professional lives.

Selected students will travel to Vietnam to report on growing international imports of Washington apples, particularly the Cosmic Crisp®, which was developed at WSU. Student reporting will focus on all aspects of the apple industry, including the production, sale, marketing, export and import of Washington apples. Students will be enrolled in a 1 credit course in spring 2026 semester.

Travel will occur over spring break 2026.

Questions? alison.boggs@wsu.edu

Buchenwald Memorial (Germany)

The 2025 Backpack Journalism program traveled to Germany in March to report on the 80^th anniversary of the end of World War II. The namesake of our college, Edward R. Murrow, one of the most influential reporters of the 20^th century, delivered a poignant 10-minute report from the Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar a few days after its liberation on April 11, 1945. The report was heard by millions of American citizens and others around the world. It was the first time many people learned of the atrocities committed in the camps by Nazi Germany. Buchenwald is now the largest memorial of its kind in Germany, seeing up to half a million visitors per year. Our goal was to do stories about the 80^th anniversary of its liberation, while also incorporating the history of Murrow’s influential report. Working with the director of education at the Buchenwald Memorial, we made plans to stay on-site at the memorial in an educational center for four days. We toured every part of the memorial, and the students interviewed multiple members of the staff and other visitors who were there.